Maintenance dredging has begun at the Port of Portimão in a bid to improve safety and allow larger cruise ships to dock.
The works started on February 28 and focus on removing sand and sediment from the port’s access channel and turning area – the space where ships manoeuvre before docking. The aim is to increase the depth of the water to around eight metres, giving vessels more room to enter, turn and operate safely.
The project is being overseen by Sines and Algarve Port Administration (APS), the authority responsible for ports in the region. Officials say the upgrade will strengthen day-to-day operations and ensure safer conditions for cruise ships calling at Portimão.
The works are also part of the national ‘Portos 5+’ Strategy, which sets out plans to grow the cruise sector by around 30%.
In a statement, APS says the investment shows its commitment to the port, considered vital to the promotion and development of the Algarve, especially as Mediterranean cruise routes continue to expand.
This is just one of a series of improvements planned at the port. The RO-RO quay – used for ferries and the tenders that shuttle passengers from cruise ships anchored offshore – will undergo important structural repairs and improvements. Once complete, it will allow two tenders to operate at the same time, speeding up passenger transfers and improving the experience for visitors arriving on bigger, busier ships.
Access on land is also set for an upgrade. APS plans to improve the road links between the port and the town, making it quicker and easier for travellers to move in and out of the terminal.
The announcement follows a strong year for the port. In 2025, Portimão recorded 56 cruise ship visits and 23,996 passengers – a rise of 40% in ship calls and 70% in passenger numbers compared to the previous year.
