The Government of the Azores is moving ahead with the construction of ramps in the ports of several islands to allow the operation of roll-on/roll-off vessels with the stern doors.

The information was provided by is the Regional Secretary for the Economy in Horta today at the end of a parliamentary audience on the proposals for the Regional Annual Plan and Budget for 2010.

According to Vasco Cordeiro, the construction of ramps in various ports will “facilitate the transport of passengers and vehicles, and thereby boost this transport area.

The Secretary also said that the Government will start the process to replace the boats "Cruzeiro das Ilhas" and "Cruzeiro do Canal” in 2010. In addition, funds will be allocated in the next year “to meet the obligations of public service of maritime transport in the Central Group,” already stipulated by the Region. 

Regarding the new vessels, the Regional Secretary stated that, given the fact that the “Triangle Islands” generate an annual traffic of nearly half a million passengers, they will have a “strong passenger component,” although “we do not exclude the possibility that the vessels might carry some vehicles” at this stage of the studies.

With concern to the port works, Vasco Cordeiro said that the Government will award the works to reinforce the breakwater and to construct the counter-breakwater in Madalena do Pico and the contract work to redevelop the sea front on Faial is being carried out. 

Moreover, in the tourism area,the Secretary said that the plan proposal for next year includes a “fund reinforcement addressed at tourism promotion and at investment development in order to valorise the tourism products” that the region has to offer.

The plan proposal for 2010 estimates 129.5 million Euro budget for the Regional Secretariat for the Economy.