Minister of the Sea announces that the ship "Praia D'Água" should start operating this week to serve the southern islands

According to the government official, the commissioning of the "Praia D'Água" represents an important step towards improving the connection between the Sotavento islands, which have recently faced constraints in terms of the movement of cargo and passengers. Jorge Santos acknowledged that the irregularity of maritime transport has caused significant impacts, especially on the islands most dependent on external supplies, such as Brava and Maio.

The minister explained that the ship is in the final stages of technical and administrative preparation, and his ministry expects all the requirements to be completed in time for operations to begin this week. "Our ambition is to ensure greater predictability in maritime connections, especially in the southern islands, where dependence on sea transport is more pronounced," he stressed.

The operationalization of "Praia D'Água" comes in a context of growing concern on the part of traders, economic operators and the population in general, especially with the approach of the Christmas and New Year festivities, a period in which demand for consumer goods increases considerably. On islands like Brava, any delay or failure in maritime connections could result in shortages of essential products and increased costs.

Jorge Santos also stressed that strengthening the fleet and improving route management are part of a broader government strategy to make the maritime sector more efficient and resilient. According to the minister, the regular coverage of the islands of Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava by the "Praia D'Água" should help reduce delays in cargo transportation, facilitate the flow of local products and improve the mobility of citizens.

The president also appealed for the population's understanding during this transition period, assuring that the Executive is committed to finding structural solutions to the historical problems of maritime transportation in Cape Verde. "We know the difficulties faced by the population, but we are working to ensure a more stable and reliable service," he said.

If the ship's entry into operation is confirmed later this week, the expectation is that the southern islands will see significant improvements in the frequency of maritime connections, bringing some relief to the traders, producers and families who depend on this service on a daily basis for their livelihood and well-being.