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Society · Funchal · 4 September 2026

Funchal Port: Potholed Pavement, Degraded Fenders, and Inoperable Gangways

Funchal Port's maintenance is lacking, with potholed pavement, damaged fenders, and inoperable gangway stairs, posing risks to tourists and workers.

Maintenance at Funchal Port has been neglected, particularly in an area with high tourist traffic. The pavement near the terminal, bus, and taxi docks is potholed, which not only harms the Region's image but also poses a real risk of falls and accidents for visitors.

The port's fenders were severely damaged in an incident in September 2025. APRAM (Madeira Autonomous Region Ports Administration) will begin installing new protections on Monday, a year after the accident, coinciding with the start of the peak cruise season, raising questions about planning.

Furthermore, four gangway stairs on the south quay await repair, some damaged by negligence and others by wear and tear. These stairs are essential for passenger embarkation and disembarkation in the absence of jet bridges, and their inoperability poses a direct safety hazard to everyone.

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