The socialists propose that the connection takes place weekly between Madeira and the mainland, for a period of five years, extendable for up to 10 years.

"The reactivation of the maritime connection between Madeira and the continent throughout the year is crucial for boosting the regional economy and for the mobility of residents in our region", argues the leader of the Madeiran PS, Paulo Cafôfo, quoted in the note.

Paulo Cafôfo highlights that this is a demand from Madeirans, "who have the right to choose the way they wish to travel to the continent, by air or by sea, and territorial cohesion must be guaranteed in both ways".

The president of PS/Madeira and leader of the parliamentary group in the Regional Legislative Assembly points out, on the other hand, that the connection "would bring greater speed and more competitive prices regarding the transport of goods and raw materials".

"It is not understandable how the Regional Government pushes this decision of such importance to our companies and our citizens to the Republic, which in fact has been a demand of Madeirans and Porto-Santenses since 2019, the date on which Empresa de Navegação Madeirense stopped carrying out this maritime connection activity between the region and the continent", he also says.

According to the statement, the proposal "calls for dialogue with the Government of the Republic, with the aim of guaranteeing all operational and logistical conditions for the viability of this maritime connection with ports on mainland territory".

Madeira had a 'ferry' connection with the continent between 2008 and 2012, operated by Naviera Armas, and then again in 2018 and 2019, by Empresa de Navegação Madeirense, which claimed at the time that the business was loss-making.