Madeira ports require stevedoring companies to have four 60-tonne cranes

The Regional Government has revised the equipment requirements for licensing stevedoring companies operating at Madeira’s ports. Regional Government Council Resolution No. 996/2026 sets a minimum of four vertical-handling cranes, each capable of handling at least 60 tonnes. All other licensing requirements remain unchanged.

APRAM - Administration of the Autonomous Region of Madeira Ports, S.A., as the competent port authority, must notify the affected licensed operators. From receipt of the notification, they will have a maximum of 180 days to bring their equipment into line with the new requirements.

The resolution justifies the change by citing the growth in cargo handling at regional ports over the past 60 months and the congestion levels recorded at the Port of Caniçal. Increasing vertical-handling capacity is presented as a way to improve the efficiency and regularity of operations in response to the changing size of ships and the prospect of larger container ships operating there.

APRAM is responsible for monitoring and verifying compliance with the requirements. In the event of non-compliance, it may take the legally applicable measures, including, where the relevant conditions are met, initiating the process to revoke a licence. The resolution takes effect on the day after publication, without prejudice to the adjustment period granted to operators.