A collapse in commercial activity at Faro’s port has made it necessary for a rethink, according to council mayor Rogério Bacahlau who is keen on turning the defunct dock into a marina.
The port’s one customer, Cimpor cement in Loulé, (pictured) has all but ceased exports to Africa which was keeping the facility open for business but without this vital throughput, the area stands idle.
Bacalhau says there no longer is any commercial activity so his plan to turn the area into another marina is viable.
With tourism in mind and the plan to expand the marina in front of Faro’s existing harbour still going ahead, the mayor want to see a new marina at Faro docks “to catch tourist vessels” despite this Ria Formosa zone being classified as a wetland Nature Reserve.
"At this moment, the port is practically empty due to the decline in cement shipping activity. We have to find alternatives for that area, which has to be reclassified," said Bacalhau, expressing "great conviction" that his bet on marine tourism will pay off.
The mayor said it is up to the managers of the Sines and Algarve Ports Authority to sort out the 16 people who work in Faro.
"The port has always had commercial value, but, having no activity, it will have to be reclassified. Bacalhau said that he has maintained "contacts with investors who showed interest in developing a marina."
The Mobility and Transport Authority confirmed today that the Faro port has not been used since June due to the suspension of activity at the Cimpor plant in Loulé.
On June 9th, Cimpor announced that it would temporarily suspend part-time workers at its Loulé plant.
The cement maker justified this decision based on a 50% reduction in cement sales in the last five years, which "showed signs of slowing in the first quarter of 2016."
