The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport conveyed to the European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, the Government's intention to create an Atlantic hub for cargo distribution from and to Europe.

Speaking to journalists after an audience granted to the European Commissioner in Ponta Delgada, Vítor Fraga reminded that "the Regional Government's programme aims to undertake all efforts in order to integrate Azorean ports in a trans-European network" and the creation of an Atlantic hub that serves as a platform for cargo distribution from and to Europe.

The government official stressed that Maria Damanaki "welcomed this idea and took the commitment to defend this project with the European Commission. Nonetheless, it is necessary to conduct the economic studies deemed necessary to ensure the project's viability."

Vítor Fraga also noted that the Regional Government intends to create this Atlantic hub for cargo distribution in Praia da Vitória, which will "make use of the existing infrastructures in addition to some adjustments that will be carried out." In this context, the government official added that the project for the cargo hub "has a different size from the one that currently exists."

Once installed in the Azores, this Atlantic hub could reach an annual volume of 2 millions of TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit - cargo unit) between Europe and North America, and a volume of 3 million TEUs should it be used by Latin American and African countries.