The regional Government of Madeira will have to republish its tendering announcement for a new ferry service operator between Funchal and Portimão, as the original notice in Diário da República contained substantial errors.
The public tender for the "concession of regular maritime transport services by ferry vessel between the region and the Portuguese mainland," (here) had to be followed up with a notice, stating that "Notice of procedure no. 6573/2017, published in DR, II S, no. 146, reveals inaccuracies that need to be addressed. Publication is invalid and thus has no effect.”
The call for tenders shows inexplicable anomalies, the main one being the subsidy of up to €18 million which is double the €9 million actually budgeted for by the regional government.
The award was announced as "valid for six years" although the same document reveals that the €9 million will be distributed “between 2018 and 2021.”
The national government has not offered to contribute towards the proposed ferry service despite positive comments from tourism and trade bodies, indicating the benefits of a sea route between the island and the Algarve.
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