Cruise ship causes alarm in Portimão's Arade river

Paul Rees 20 October 2016

cruiseship The 'Thomson Spirit' cruise ship, carrying over 1,000 passengers, appeared to run aground in the Arade river on Tuesday, remaining in the channel for 90 minutes while the Captain carried out docking maneuvers.

The badly silted up channel has long been the reason that larger cruise ships will not attempt to dock at Portimão, thus depriving the city of tourist revenue.

The government continues to allow the Sines and Algarve Ports Administration (APS) to boost investment in all ports except those in the Algarve with the outgoing APS president confirming a policy of positive discrimination against the Algarve’s docks at Portimão and Faro.

The Thomson Spirit left Portimão when the tide had risen sufficiently, having entered the zone at 08:00 at low tide and clearly with some difficulty.

The captain had tried to maneuver in the basin in front of the quayside but was forced to give up for security reasons. The ship finally docked at 09:20.

The problems of silting in the Arade are well known but nothing has been done for ten years despite an increasing demand for cruise holidays and a desire from Portimão council to allow larger ships to dock as many of the passengers spend money locally.

The dock administration in Portimão guarantees safe maneuvers for ships of up to 215 meters. The 'Thomson Spirit' is 214 meters long yet still managed to get stuck.

The new president of the APS, José Luis Cacho, has made no comment nor has he visited the area.

In August this year, the captain of the Seven Seas Explorer luxury cruise ship decided not to venture into Portimão’s harbour despite being booked in. A tug sailed from Sines to accompany the ship but was not needed.

A 2013, €10 million dredging plan and upgrade for the docks at Portimão, announced as a ‘no brainer’ by the former Economy Minister Pires de Lima, remains mired in official reports and studies.

Comments

-6 #5 Adrian Wooldridge 2016-10-21 22:44

fail to understand the crass stupidity of not investing in an area which provides so much income for an impoverished area. Is it that the 'lisboetas' who govern us are that stupid, or is it plain old fashioned racial prejudice. The king of Portugal once tried to flog the Algarve to Spain. How about the government allowing the Algarve to cede from Portugal, which will do better as an autonomous region!

-3 #4 liveaboard 2016-10-20 20:55

While I heartily agree about the need for investment in our ports, in this case the captain of a very large vessel decided to try to navigate through a channel during low tide.
The captain of the vessel is where the buck stops.
The tides don't shift their schedules to suit anyone, not even a ship full of tourists.

-4 #3 Jack Reacher 2016-10-20 20:46

Of all the days for a cruise ship to run aground on the Arade, ironic since the Atlantic POLEX boat collision/oil spill simulation exercise was taking place at exactly the same time and place. Are you sure it wasn't part of the drill? The whole mess of dredging and cruise ship access is atypical of this country's political governance..Carry on up the Arade.

-3 #2 Ed 2016-10-20 20:10

Quoting John Haigh.:

Portimáo and the Algarve rely heavily on tourism to exist . It is the back bone for employment yet the government disregards this Ports future to sustain industry and future employment for the Algarve. Have this present government no brains to see the positive effect how this would be beneficiary for Portimáo and the Algarve.

You asked a question John. The answer seems to be 'no.'

-1 #1 John Haigh. 2016-10-20 19:06

Portimáo and the Algarve rely heavily on tourism to exist . It is the back bone for employment yet the government disregards this Ports future to sustain industry and future employment for the Algarve. Have this present government no brains to see the positive effect how this would be beneficiary for Portimáo and the Algarve.

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