Commercial Association of Porto criticizes postponement of the Strategic Plan for Expansion of Porto de Leixões
Portugal
Through a statement released today, the Commercial Association of Porto (ACP) pointed the finger at the executive regarding the long-desired expansion of the Port of Leixões. According to the ACP, the Government seems to insist on "postponing the implementation of the Strategic Plan for the Expansion of Port of Leixões".
This apparent stalemate has, according to the ACP, 'serious consequences for economic activity'. The association, headed by Nuno Botelho, made a list of criticisms to the Executive, highlighting the procedural delays that govern these types of dossiers: "In an optimistic perspective, mediating a period of not less than four years between the launching of the contest for its construction and completion of the work '. Admitting to be "particularly apprehensive about what is happening in the Port of Leixões", ACP has decided to set out what it considers to be the "growing interference by the Government", which could create "serious consequences for the economic activity" that is generated and fostered by the northern port According to ACP, the Government, by supporting the postponement of the "implementation of the Strategic Plan for the Expansion of the Port of Leixões", encourages the stagnation of "studied and validated investments", which it considers "absolutely crucial".
This position, he criticizes, only creates the ideal environment for a scenario of "the inability of the port to respond to the trend of increasing the size of the ships that intend to climb". Having said this, only 'the construction of a new terminal which increases port capacity and is capable of receiving larger ships can ensure that Leixões continues to be the competitive port serving the economic fabric in which it operates'. Despite the various statements made by the Minister of the Sea to the 'New Terminal with funds -14', considered by the ACP as the 'solution', the association states that, according to its opinion, 'no date is set for the intention to leave the role 'and to move forward with' the implementation of this project, as it is indeed urgent '.
