Setúbal''s Chamber of Commerce has rejected the proposal put forward by the central government to merge the port authorities of Lisbon and Setúbal to create a single entity. It argues that this would lead to a “dilution” of the Setúbal and Sesimbra Port Authority within a common structure and not address the “needs of Setúbal nor its specific requirements”.
In particular, the government's refusal to consult with local entities prior to taking the decision came in for particular criticism, with the organisation calling for the initiative to be reversed, or another alternative put forward.
Significantly, the Maritime Minister has reiterated that no merger is to go ahead, nor will one port have supremacy over the other. There will be common management, albeit divided between the two ports, with administrators spending equal time in each location.
