The 45-day extension (the call for bids was to end at 00:00 today), was because one of the potential bidders had asked for an extension so as to be able to meet the tender conditions that are “rather complex”, he said on the sidelines of a seminar at the Funchal Trade and Industry Association.

The regional government wants the ship to be used on the route to operate under a Community flag for a minimum of three years, run a weekly service and be partly paid for by the passengers and freight.

The vessel is to be able to carry at least 300 passengers and have a top speed to get it from Madeira to the mainland in 24 hours.