The Regional Government of Madeira (PSD/CDS-PP) plans to invest around 28 million euros in the Caniçal cargo port to expand the landfill area and rehabilitate the main breakwater, Executive Digest reports.

“We have to keep up with the exponential increase in cargo unloaded in Madeira, which increased by 35% between 2020 and 2025. We went from 52,000 containers to 72,000 per year,” said the head of the executive, Miguel Albuquerque.

Albuquerque, who is also the leader of the regional structure of the PSD (Social Democratic Party), was speaking during a visit to the port of Caniçal, in the municipality of Machico, in the eastern part of Madeira.

New cranes improve efficiency

At the port of Caniçal, three new cranes have become operational, representing an investment of 14 million euros, undertaken by OPM — Sociedade Operações Portuárias da Madeira (Madeira Port Operations Company).

The new cranes can operate almost entirely on electricity and have made the loading and unloading process more efficient and faster, reducing waiting times from an average of 11.36 movements per hour to 20 movements per hour.

“The increased embankment means more functional space for loading and unloading operations,” explained Albuquerque.

He also indicated that part of the project, worth 10 million euros, is already underway as part of the Madeira 2030 community program.

Cargo growth reflects Madeira’s economy

The head of the Madeiran executive indicated that 95 percent of the cargo entering the autonomous region is unloaded at the port of Caniçal.

“This burden corresponds to the dynamics we are experiencing in our economy,” he said, adding: “Madeira has grown economically by 35% in the last four years, 500 million euros per year. That is why the projected GDP for 2026 is 8,462 million euros.”

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