What social and economic role does the port authority play in the economic development of the republic?

ENAPOR, in its role of managing ports, is of vital importance in a country that is an archipelago. Cape Verde has 10 populated islands, making it mandatory to have a port on each of them. It’s essential to have the means to transport people and goods. Some islands are too close to each other to use air transport. Being a group of islands in the middle of the Atlantic, our economy relies heavily on the ocean. We also import and export goods and services, relying on our ports to do so. Our economy also relies on tourism through the ports.

With government trying to diversify the economy, what is the potential of Blue Maritime Economy – Economia Azul – in Cape Verde?

Our economy is mainly maritime. The sea is our tool for tourism, fishing, port activities and logistics. We have created freight zones and shipyards, marinas, as well as ports for traditional and industrial fishing. Fishing activities are especially important. For example, in the island of São Vicente, more than 350 fishing boats per year dock at Porto Grande. This generates more than 17 million euros a year.

 

What are your main priorities?

Right now we are focused on the expansion and re-qualification of Porto Inglês on Ilha do Maio. We will shortly start construction, as we already have all the plans needed for modernisation. It’s the only port in Cape Verde that doesn’t have roll-on/roll-off ramps and it needs to be adapted.

Innovation affects every sector of any economy. How does ENAPOR innovate?

Operationally speaking, our biggest challenge is to move from a traditional to a modern port system. We have many small multi-purpose ports, and we need to be logistically effective or we risk losing our ability to provide the best service. We are therefore implementing a project that will define specific areas in our ports for logistic activities. This will reduce the time spent completing various processes and the number of people involved.

What infrastructure projects do you consider pivotal for the improvement of economic performance?

One of the biggest ones we are working on right now, together with the government and private developers, is to build a container shipyard on the island of São Vicente.

You are also building a new cruise ship terminal, is that correct?

We are in the final stages and construction will start soon. We expect it to take 18 months, and the new terminal will allow us to receive  large ships that will also benefit from a rehabilitated urban area near the port.

What is your capability to compete with other ports in the region, like Las Palmas and Tenerife?

Our biggest competitors are the ports of Dakar and Las Palmas. But in many regards we complement each other. Through the Atlantic Cruise Association, which includes Las Palmas, Tenerife, Madeira and Cape Verde, we promote the cruise ship route that runs through our islands. In container handling, there is direct competition between us, which boosts quality and improves prices. The people of Cape Verde are young and motivated, and this is good for business. Competition is healthy.

What is your vision for ENAPOR for the next 3 years?

ENAPOR hopes to handle 3 million tons of merchandise and receive over 200,000 tourists per year. We also aim to serve over 500 fishing ships yearly. We will achieve these figures in the next 3 years if we combine the international promotion of our country with the continuous improvement of services and infrastructure.