López-Chaves, together with Fernández Alvariño and a large group of businesspeople, analyzed the current situation of the Vigo dock, with special emphasis on the new infrastructure that the Port of Vigo has.
The President of the Port Authority of Vigo, Ignacio López-Chaves, and his counterpart in the Confederation of Businessmen of Galicia (CEG), José Manuel Fernández Alvariño, held their first institutional meeting this morning since Fernández Alvariño assumed the Presidency of the CEG in July 2013.
During the meeting, which was also attended by a large representation of business leaders from the province, the Port Authority and the Confederation advocated for the necessary institutional collaboration in order to enhance the role of the Port of Vigo as an engine of growth not only for Vigo and its area of influence, but for the entire Galician Community.
Fernández Alvariño expressed his gratitude to López-Chaves for his willingness to maintain more fluid communication with representatives of the productive sector, so that business proposals can be put forward and impressions shared on the planning of the Port's development.
New infrastructure
In this regard, López-Chaves explained to the businessmen the current situation of the Vigo dock, emphasizing the new infrastructures that the Port of Vigo has, among which he highlighted the completion of the "Improvement of the Operability of the Commercial Docks" works.
A project that business owners consider essential for the improvement of the Port of Vigo, and which guarantees the future of the terminal, by providing the area with a longer berth, with an increase in the port esplanade (50,000 m2)and a considerable increase in the drafts compared to the existing ones (it has gone from 10 to 14, and even to 16.5 meters of draft in the area of the head of the Transversal Wharf).
According to the top port official, this will facilitate the docking of larger tonnage vessels and reduce operating costs for shipping companies, which will be able to concentrate their cargo and, in addition, guarantees that any ship with general cargo with a draft of more than 10 meters can operate in a dock adapted to its needs, without necessarily having to do so in Guixar, as was the case until now.
Furthermore, the Port Authority and business leaders have analyzed the imminent launch of the Vigo Motorway of the Sea, and in this regard, López-Chaves highlighted that the Port of Vigo will receive a European subsidy for its adaptation in preparation for the upcoming launch of this infrastructure. This subsidy will contribute to the construction of a floating mobile ro-ro ramp and a complementary action consisting of the construction of dolphins to support the berthing and mooring of ships.
Finally, the business leaders congratulated the Vigo Port Authority for its management and its policy of lowering fees, which will lead to an improvement in the city's economic growth.
