On October 27, the founding charter of the International Association of Macaronesian Island Ports, a legal entity of mutual interest, was signed in Funchal under the Cruise Atlantic Islands brand, bringing together APRAM SA, Port Authority of Las Palmas, Port Authority SC Tenerife and ENAPOR (Port Authority of Cape Verde).
This historic initiative marks a new chapter in cooperation between the Ports of Madeira, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, which currently represent a market of almost 3 million passengers.
The International Association of Macaronesian Island Ports emerged as a result of the recognition of the need to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the four port administrations involved with regard to the constant exchange of information for the development of the tourism product of each region, as well as to face the new challenges of port management, especially in the areas of digitalization and sustainability.
“The collaboration between Madeira, the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde is not new, and the work carried out in recent years has shown us that we know how to work together and that when we do, everyone wins. However, it has also revealed the need to deepen our connection
“With this partnership and through the Cruise Atlantic Islands brand, we aim to strengthen the positioning of our ports in the Atlantic corridor to reach new markets, in addition to promoting the existing itinerary. We want to continue promoting the Atlantic Islands and the Macaronesia region as a unique and authentic cruise destination,” says Paula Cabaço, president of APRAM.
“Furthermore, this new legal entity will allow us to attract EU funding sources for the development of joint projects between the three archipelagos,” concludes the head of Madeira Ports.
Cooperation between these four island ports is essential to defining strategies that will attract funding from the European Union, enabling the development of joint projects that can boost economic growth, improve connectivity and strengthen resilience to climate change and environmental challenges.
Promotion, research and training
The general objectives of this new Association in the port and maritime sector are promotion, research and training, as well as the development of commercial, social and cultural initiatives in order to:
– To promote the Atlantic area of Macaronesia (Atlantic Islands) as a cruise tourism destination and, specifically, the respective destinations that make up the Association.
– To promote sustainability and good practices in the ports that are part of the Association.
– To promote collaboration with other organizations and/or associations whose objectives coincide with those of the Association.
– To encourage the carrying out of studies and the exchange of information on port activity and traffic among service providers, as well as collaboration among associates to promote the creation of cruise itineraries to the Atlantic Islands.
– Facilitate communication by aligning positions on issues of common interest, presenting these positions in regional, national and international forums.
– To develop and promote good relations and collaboration between all actors in the port and maritime sector, especially in the cruise industry.
The inaugural meeting of the International Association of Island Ports of Macaronesia was attended by representatives from all the islands involved – Paula Cabaço, President of the Board of Directors of APRAM, Beatriz Calzada Ojeda, President of the Port Authority of Las Palmas, Pedro José Suárez López de Vergara, President of the Port Authority of SC and Ireneu Camacho, President of the Board of Directors of ENAPOR – Cabo Verde Ports – and highlighted the unity and commitment of the port authorities to work together for the benefit of their communities.
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