Madeira ferry study faces parliamentary scrutiny request

Filipe Sousa, a deputy for the Juntos Pelo Povo (JPP) party, has requested priority parliamentary hearings to scrutinize an economic-financial study regarding a regular maritime ferry connection between Madeira and mainland Portugal.

The study, commissioned by the Institute for Mobility and Transport, examines the transport of passengers and road freight. While Sousa acknowledges the study as a relevant contribution, he argues that its underlying assumptions and limitations must be clarified before they inform government policy.

Key concerns raised by the JPP include the study's capacity limits, which model only 600 passengers, 200 light vehicles, and 40 heavy vehicles per trip. Sousa suggests these ceilings may hinder the assessment of economies of scale for road freight. Additionally, he questioned the cost calculation model, which utilizes 2018 charter rates, and noted the absence of a scenario involving direct operation through vessel acquisition and staff hiring.

Furthermore, the JPP highlighted the lack of input from major shipping companies and logistics groups, including Grimaldi, Baleària, FRS Portugal, Sonae MC, and Jerónimo Martins. Sousa stated, “It is not acceptable to conclude first that the ferry is not profitable and then only ask if the assumptions used to reach that conclusion were correct.”