Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, March 13, 2026 (Lusa) - The war in the Middle East could help boost cruise ship traffic to Portugal's Madeira Island, the Regional Secretary for the Economy, José Manuel Rodrigues, said on Friday, whilst also warning of the conflict’s negative impact.
“Political crises and military conflicts have both positive and negative consequences. We are already feeling the negative effects in fuel prices, and this will naturally have an impact on the prices of essential goods,” he said.
José Manuel Rodrigues, speaking at a press conference at the Madeira Maritime Station in Funchal, highlighted, on the other hand, the “positive consequences” of the tension in the Middle East, stemming from the military offensive launched by the United States and Israel on 28 February against Iran, to which Iran responded with attacks on neighbouring countries.
“The crisis in that part of the world could divert cruise ships to the Atlantic. From that point of view, we may even end up benefiting from others’ misfortune. It’s not a good reason, but it’s the law of life,” he said.
Regarding maritime freight transport, he explained that freight rates are set monthly, so they have not yet affected shipping movements between the ports of Leixões and Lisbon and the port of Caniçal in Madeira.
"That doesn’t mean it won’t happen in two or three weeks’ time," he warned.
The minister, who oversees the public company APRAM – Port Authority of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, noted that in 2025 the region recorded its highest ever number of cruise ship calls – 331 – handling around one million people and generating €62.9 million in revenue for the regional economy.
This year, the months of January and February have already seen an increase compared to the same period last year, with a total of 85 port calls (+25%) and more than 300,000 people in transit, including passengers and crew.
The Secretary for the Economy in the PSD/CDS-PP regional coalition government also noted that the three ports in the autonomous region – Caniçal, Funchal and Porto Santo – handled 1,466,243 tonnes of cargo in 2025, a 2.38% increase on the previous year, setting a new all-time high.
Containerised cargo accounted for 817,324 tonnes (+4.79%) and liquid bulk (mainly fuels) for 349,276 tonnes (+2.12%), whilst dry bulk (cement and cereals) accounted for 215,639 tonnes (-5.14%) and general cargo 49,972 tonnes (-2.94%).
In 2025, 5,664 containers were handled across the region’s three ports (+6.79% compared to the previous year), with the ports of Caniçal and Porto Santo handling 14,600 vehicles (11,553 arrivals and 3,047 departures).
Compared to 2024, 352 fewer vehicles entered and 683 more left.
APRAM collected around €700,000 in port usage fees for goods in 2025.
“These are very significant figures, as far as cruises and cargo are concerned […]. We are certainly on track, in 2026, if nothing happens in the world, to have the best year ever,” said the Secretary for the Economy, who is also the leader of the regional branch of the CDS-PP.
DC/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
