The Government of the Azores intends to launch a call for tenders for the construction of the vessels that will replace “Cruzeiro do Canal” and “Cruzeiro das Ilhas,” which assure the maritime connections between the Central Group islands, during the third quarter of 2010, announced the Regional Secretary for the Economy in Ponta Delgada on Friday. 
Vasco Cordeiro, who visited the “Express Santorini” ship that was chartered by Atlânticoline for the inter-island maritime passenger and vehicle transport operations, revealed that the previous preparations and the descriptive memoranda of both vessels are at a final stage of preparation.” The new vessels are expected to start their operation in the archipelago during the year 2012.
The Regional Secretary for the Economy revealed that the study commissioned by Atlânticoline “in order to assess and implement solutions for the maritime passenger transport in the Azores” will be completed during the month of April.
According to Vasco Cordeiro, whether the replacement of Cruises or the execution of the study are “two examples of the work that has been carried out by the Government of the Azores and by its subsidiaries, such as the case of Atlânticoline, in order to reinforce the importance of maritime passenger transport in our Region as well as to reinforce our connection with the Sea and the role of the Sea for in the economic development of the Azores.” 
With regard to the seasonal operation of the inter-island maritime passenger and vehicle transport, the Regional Secretary for the Economy emphasised that this transport service has registered “a growing adherence in the Azores,” which demonstrates its success.
After last year’s operation, which was undertaken “with some setbacks,” due to the need to replace the “Atlântida” ship in a short amount of time, Vasco Cordeiro stressed that “with regard to the organisation, estimate time and preliminary works to be developed by Atlânticoline and the owner of the “Santorini” ship, everything is being prepared so that this year’s operation may be carried out without any problem.”