Tecnovia Açores leads the construction of the Azores’ largest maritime-port investment: the New Port of Lajes das Flores

Tecnovia Açores is leading the construction of the New Port of Lajes das Flores, an infrastructure project representing the largest maritime-port investment ever undertaken in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

Awarded on 17 April 2025, with a contract value of €194.8 million (plus VAT) and a completion period of 60 months, this project is a strategic investment in the resilience and modernisation of the island of Flores’ port infrastructure.

It directly addresses the island’s critical needs, particularly following the damage caused by extreme weather events such as Hurricane Lorenzo (2019) and Storm Efrain (2022).

Strategic consortium for future-ready infrastructure

The project, promoted by Portos dos Açores S.A., will be carried out by a consortium led by Tecnovia Açores(35.5%), in partnership with Etermar (34.5%), Teixeira Duarte (20%), and Marques S.A. (10%).

The technical design was developed by the consortium Morim de Oliveira – Civil Engineering and MSW – Maritime Works Studies and Projects, Lda.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held on 19 May 2025, marked the symbolic launch of this major regional infrastructure.

The event was presided over by the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructure, Dr Berta Cabral, and attended by the Chair of the Board of Portos dos Açores, S.A., Dr Sancha Costa Santos, as well as various local and regional entities and representatives of the consortium, including Tecnovia Açores board members Eng. Luís Gonzaga, Eng. Francisco Morais, and Eng. João Guilherme Canas da Costa, Chairman of the Board.

A modern and resilient infrastructure

The New Port of Lajes das Flores comprises two main areas of intervention:

Maritime Works

• Dredging, excavation, demolition and removal of concrete blocks from the old breakwater and the emergency protection at the quay bridge, due to damage caused by Storm Efrain;

• Construction of a new 540 m long breakwater-quay, including 145 m of reinforcement to the existing curtain wall and a quay at -9.00 m (ZH), with a 170 m berthing front and a 40 m wide platform;

• Rehabilitation of the marginal retaining structure between the current quay (-5.00 m ZH) and the new quay (-9.00 m ZH);

• Reconfiguration and planning of the port’s North and South sectors;

• Improvement of manoeuvring conditions, including bathymetric levelling and new maritime signalling systems;

• Stabilisation of the cliff along the access road with a 170 m retaining wall, connected to the new breakwater’s curtain wall.

Land-Based Works

• Platform paving;

• Installation of new technical networks — water supply, electricity, public lighting, CCTV, and fuels;

• Construction of support buildings, including a new passenger terminal.

Key project figures

• 8,222 antifer blocks:
  4,210 units of 56.8 tonnes
  3,395 units of 62 tonnes
  617 half-blocks 
  ≈ 166,200 m³ of high-density concrete (2.7–2.97 t/m³)

• 12 caissons, each measuring 15 x 11 x 11.75 metres
  Totaling 6,700 m³ of concrete and 4,800 m³ of filling concrete

• 1,215 tonnes of reinforcing steel

• 180,530 m³ of dredged material, including rock

Large-scale engineering challenges

The project’s technical and logistical complexity presents unique challenges:

Logistical Challenge

Maintaining partial operation of the current commercial port and the lack of local raw materials — particularly high-density aggregates — will require maritime transport of most materials and prefabricated elements, including the high-density caissons and antifer blocks.
These will be produced by Tecnovia S.A. and Teixeira Duarte at the Leixões Prefabrication Centre.

Weather Challenge

A significant portion of the work on the protective breakwater will take place in an area heavily exposed to ocean swells, particularly from the northwest to south quadrants, posing a major challenge for construction.

Commitment to regional development

Tecnovia, a trusted partner in the development of the Azores since 1976, reaffirms its historic commitment to the region with this landmark project.

In addition to the many strategic works delivered over nearly five decades, we are proud to lead what is regarded as the largest maritime-port infrastructure ever executed in the archipelago, reinforcing our contribution to the present and future of the Azores.