This is an extremely symbolic moment, because it is the moment when we formally begin the work, not even reconstruction, but the construction of the new port of Lajes das Flores. It is a date that everyone has been looking forward to for a long time,” said the Secretary of Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure.

Berta Cabral, who was speaking at the laying of the first stone for the construction of the port, considered it the “most important project” undertaken by the Government of the Azores (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM), with a total investment of around 230 million euros.

"The total investment amounts to around 230 million euros with a contract value of 194.83 million plus VAT", said Berta Cabral, adding that "this investment in the construction of the new port of Lajes das Flores will also be a symbol. A symbol of capacity, resistance and ambition".

Climate change

The regional secretary argued that the commercial port on the island of Flores “has become a clear example of the region’s vulnerability” to climate change, as the infrastructure, in addition to being destroyed by Lorenzo, was again affected by the Efrain depression in December 2022.

“The project is scheduled to take 60 months to complete, which means that in 2030, Flores will finally have a new, fully operational port. It really has to be. This is an investment financed by Sustentável [2030] and the deadlines are set to be met,” she warned.

The minister said that the work will be financed with 167.5 million euros from community funds and thanked the Government of the Republic for including the investment in the Sustainable 2030 program.

“It will require a very significant effort from the Budget of the Autonomous Region of the Azores in the order of 30 million euros over the next five years. This is an unprecedented milestone in terms of public investment in our region”, he reinforced.

Berta Cabral praised the role of SATA and the Air Force in supplying the island in “emergency situations” and guaranteed that the supply of goods and merchandise to Flores will continue to be assured until the completion of the work.

The president of Portos dos Açores highlighted that the works will include the reconstruction of the breakwater, the construction of a new pier and a building for the passenger station.

“We are going to build a new port and it is certainly the largest maritime-port civil construction project ever undertaken in our archipelago”, highlighted the person responsible for the public company.

On January 3, financing was approved for the construction of the new port of Lajes das Flores, marking the beginning of the reconstruction of the infrastructure. According to a joint press release from the Ministries of Environment and Energy and Infrastructure and Housing, the total investment in the work is 197,059,825 euros, with support of 167,500,851 euros from the Cohesion Fund.

The port of Lajes das Flores was destroyed by Hurricane Lorenzo in October 2019 and was again affected by Storm Efrain in December 2022.