João Guilherme Ribeiro, master's degree in Economics, presented an economic-financial analysis within a study on the viability of a ferry connection between Madeira and the Portuguese mainland. His intervention proposed an alternative model to make this project feasible.
The model proposed by Ribeiro is based on three fundamental pillars. First, he advocates a greater focus on cargo transport over passenger transport. Second, he suggests triangulation of the route with the Canary Islands, which would allow for a broader and potentially more profitable connection. Third, he proposes the reduction of port costs as a way to improve the economic viability of the operation.
The specialist emphasized the need to rethink the traditional approach to the project, suggesting that a more focused approach on goods transport and a strategy that integrates the Canary Islands into the route could make the ferry connection economically sustainable for the Autonomous Region of Madeira.
