On December 3rd, the Official State Gazette (BOE) published the appointment of Jesús Vázquez Almuiña as the new President of the Vigo Port Authority. A graduate in Medicine and General Surgery from the Faculty of Medicine of Santiago de Compostela, he practiced medicine in various hospital settings: as a family and emergency room physician, as well as Managing Director of the Meixoeiro Hospital in Vigo, and Provincial Director of the Galician Health Service (SERGAS) in Pontevedra. He has also gained experience in politics at various levels, serving as mayor of Baiona, his hometown, from 2004 to 2015, while simultaneously serving as a provincial deputy from 2003 to 2015. In 2015, he was appointed Minister of Health by the Galician Government (Xunta de Galicia), a position he held until last September, thus bearing the greatest responsibility for the fight against the pandemic in Galicia.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 55 – December 2020
In his inaugural address, he mentioned cruise ships as one of his administration's priorities. How important is this traffic for the Port of Vigo?
Cruise traffic is very important for Vigo and its metropolitan area, due to its social and economic impact. But it also certainly benefits us in terms of our international image. It's important to promote Vigo as a destination beyond our borders. We've already done our homework. We have two passenger terminals with a total of one kilometer of berths exclusively for these types of ships, both located in the central part of the port, which runs parallel to the city center. This means that when passengers arrive in Vigo, they disembark right in the city center, without any additional travel or wasted time; something other ports don't offer. But, in addition, our technical conditions, with drafts of up to 12 meters and without any physical limitations, and natural conditions, with waters protected by the Cíes Islands, allow access for any type of vessel 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Furthermore, cruise traffic is also part of Galicia's tourism promotion strategy. That's why it's essential to forge a united front between all levels of government and the private sector to create an attractive package. Cruise traffic has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, and now more than ever we must collaborate to relaunch it. I am confident that from the second half of 2021 onwards, after the first vaccinations, we will begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel and gradually resume this type of traffic. But to achieve this, we must anticipate and be proactive. We need to be prepared for the relaunch of this traffic, and that is only possible through dialogue and cooperation.
You also advocated for reorganizing spaces and expanding docks. Are you generally satisfied with the Port of Vigo's infrastructure for cruise ships, or will you propose any expansions or improvements?
I believe that, in recent years, the Port of Vigo has made a strong commitment to this traffic. However, we will need to carefully study our strengths and potential weaknesses in this area. I am open to listening to proposals and analyzing them with the Port Authority's management team, and to meeting with the operators and major cruise lines involved in this traffic as often as necessary.
Does the Port of Vigo have a defined protocol for receiving cruise ships during the pandemic and beyond?
The Port of Vigo is actively participating in various industry forums and conferences, such as the recent International Cruise Summit held in Madrid in early December, to monitor the measures implemented by different ports and terminals that have so far been able to conduct pilot programs for resuming traffic. This is all happening while awaiting the publication of specific protocols and instructions from the Spanish government and authorization for the resumption of cruise traffic in Spain (which, for now, has only been partially authorized in the Canary Islands). During this period, efforts are focused on establishing space availability and coordinating information. The Vigo Port Authority is in contact with terminal operators to standardize criteria and collaborate on managing any necessary changes. Furthermore, a commission has been established, comprised of operators, the Port Authority, and health officials, to evaluate protocols and establish coordinated measures.
Regarding infrastructure, the Maritime Station that houses the two terminals has spaces already reserved, thus anticipating the needs that may exist to comply with Covid protocols, and a specific separate space has been enabled for health control, as established by the regulations of the Spanish Government.
Having served as mayor, member of parliament, and regional minister, what part of your political career do you think will contribute most to your management of the Port of Vigo? What objectives have you set for yourself?
I have over 20 years of experience in positions of public responsibility, and I believe they have all provided me with valuable experience.
But the background of a family linked to the world of fishing will also help me to understand this activity.
In all these roles, I always acted as a team manager, listening to everyone who works in each sector.
And in these few days since taking office, I've been able to see firsthand the magnificent team that makes up the Vigo Port Authority. But I certainly believe that my experience in the healthcare sector will be of great help here. In fact, during my time as Regional Minister of Health, I collaborated closely with the previous president on various health-related matters at the Port of Vigo. All sectors must adapt to a post-Covid era, which is the one we're already in. Therefore, I hope that my experience in the fight against the pandemic can help secure the future of the Port of Vigo.
