New trimarans will “reinforce Portugal’s maritime zones”
The Portuguese Navy plans to reinforce its resources in Madeira’s Maritime Zone in 2026 with two coastal surveillance ships, Naval Commander Nuno Chaves Ferreira said today, emphasising that these are new vessels.
“The Navy is currently undergoing a transformation process in which it is planned to acquire new resources over the next few years. As of mid-2026 we have planned the acquisition and integration of new trimaran coastal patrol vessels into the naval fleet, which will reinforce our maritime zones,” he explained.
Chaves Ferreira was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the new commander of the Madeira Maritime Zone, Captain Bruno Teles, who replaces Rui Teixeira.
The commander said that the new patrol vessels have a “very significant capacity” for interception as part of the surveillance and inspection of maritime spaces. Garrisons per ship are estimated at between 15 and 20 crew members.
Currently, the Navy operates in the Madeira archipelago with its ship “Zaire”, which “doesn’t have the efficiency or modernity of the incoming resources”, said the commander.
Also at the swearing-in ceremony, representative of the Republic for Madeira, Ireneu Barreto, stressed the Navy’s importance and responsibilities in areassuch as the safety of submarine cables, assisting vessels, and conducting search-and-rescue operations. The Navy also plays a role in preserving the marine environment, combating pollution, and protecting underwater cultural heritage, he said, underlining the “particular commitment” to the defence of the Selvagens Islands, saying this created the conditions for establishing the Nature Reserve in that territory – the largest Marine Protected Area in the North Atlantic with full protection.
Source material: LUSA
