The number of cruise companies choosing the Port of Funchal (Madeira) as a supply base for their ships has been steadily increasing.
Throughout 2023, the Operations and Security Office of the Port Authority of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (APRAM, SA) recorded 42 supply operations involving containerized cargo, handling a total of 139 containers. This year, although December has not yet been accounted for, the number of supply operations has already reached 57, with 203 containers involved.
This growth can be partly attributed to the increased number of cruise ship calls at the Port of Funchal, but it is mainly driven by companies' perceptions of the port's infrastructure capacity and efficiency.
“The fact that major companies like AIDA, TUI, P&O and Marella regularly choose the Port of Funchal for ship supply demonstrates, on the one hand, our competitiveness as a cruise destination and, on the other, the quality and responsiveness of our human resources,” highlighted Paula Cabaço, president of APRAM, SA.
Economically, these operations have a limited impact on the revenues of Madeira's ports, but they produce a significant multiplier effect on the regional economy. "Local businesses are the main beneficiaries of these operations, which affect the entire maritime transport chain: shipowners, carriers, logistics providers, and also local suppliers," emphasized the president of the regional port authority.
Paulo Falé, Director of Operations and Security, added: “By providing these services, using trained equipment and operators, APRAM meets the needs of businesses, creating a positive impact on Madeira’s economy.” He explained that, beyond the logistics involved in unloading the container at the Port of Caniçal and transporting it to Funchal, there is also a significant economic impact on local suppliers.
Beer, wine, fresh produce, and other perishables are the most requested items for supplying ships, and are primarily provided by regional companies. Operationally, Falé referred to an “increased responsibility” and a “challenge” for port management. “The growing demand for supply operations has implications for various factors,” he said, citing port occupancy, tidal conditions, and even how ships are supplied—whether from the bow or the stern.
“This has a cross-cutting effect on port operations, requiring planning and coordination on a case-by-case, ship-by-ship basis,” he explained, adding that the increased demand for such operations has led to greater investment by APRAM. “We are focusing on preventive maintenance of machinery and improving the training of our human resources to ensure greater operational redundancy.”.
All of this, Paula Cabaço emphasized, is done with a strong focus on sustainability. “Our goal is to make these operations increasingly sustainable, not only for the port, but also for the city and the cruise lines themselves, who share our environmental concerns.”.
It is worth noting that, at the end of November, the Port of Funchal received the award for World's Best Sustainable Cruise Terminal from the World Cruise Awards. In the two previous years, 2022 and 2023, Madeira had already won the title of Europe's Best Cruise Destination. These awards reflect the sustained growth of the Port of Funchal.
Last year, Madeira received 279 cruise ship calls and set a record with 624,000 cruise passengers disembarking and 241,000 crew members, representing a 51% increase compared to 2022. This year, these figures are expected to be surpassed in a market that generated more than €53 million for the Madeira economy last year.
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