According to the tender notice, published in the Jornal Oficial, bids can be submitted until 27 August. The project, with a base price of €3,210,28.62 (excluding VAT), is expected to be completed within 600 days.

António Reis, Mayor of Santa Cruz da Graciosa and representative of the Somos Todos Graciosa coalition (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM), told Lusa News Agency that the marina is a long-awaited project and marks a “structural investment” for the island. The tender was unanimously approved at the council’s latest meeting.

“The coastal protection phase is now finished, and we’re moving ahead with the recreational marina, something the people of Graciosa have been hoping for,” he said.

Reis noted that this is the largest public works project ever undertaken by the island’s sole municipality, acknowledging the complexity and effort involved in preparing the tender documentation.

Despite regional challenges in awarding major public contracts, the mayor remains confident the tender will attract bidders, citing inquiries already received from potential interested companies.

In October 2023, the Regional Government of the Azores (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) confirmed its financial support for the marina’s construction. During an official visit, President José Manuel Bolieiro presented the final project to the local authority and signed an ARAAL Agreement – a formal contract between the regional government and a municipality for a specific investment.

The project includes a 225-metre breakwater, an 80-metre jetty, a 3,500-square-metre reclaimed area, pedestrian walkways, dredging of the basin and access channel, floating docks, fuel supply infrastructure, service buildings, safety and control facilities, and full utility connections to support nautical tourism and recreational boating.