Latest news and stories about infrastructure in government in Portugal for expats and residents.
The signal jammers are part of a pilot project launched following the escape of five inmates from Vale de Judeus prison in September 2024, with the goal of blocking mobile phone and drone signals within the prison.
The schedule indicated that the tests were to take place by the end of the current month of March.
The technical project includes soil stabilisation and the expansion of the landing area to support the weight of large aircraft.
In an increasingly volatile world where maritime routes have become arenas of ruthless geopolitical competition, the new European Port Strategy emerges as a beacon of vision. Recently announced by the European Commission, this strategy positions ports as pillars of EU autonomy, proposing an ambitious repositioning that promotes competitiveness, decarbonisation, and sovereignty in logistics and energy flows. For a country like Portugal, with an exposed Atlantic coast and ports such as Sines, Leixões, and Lisbon, this approach is fundamental. As global trade reorganises and logistics chains become instruments of geopolitical power, controlling critical infrastructure has become as important as defending borders. The most transformative element of this strategy is the approach to security, which has been absent from European port policy for decades. It is recognised that ports are no longer merely commercial hubs, but have become battlefronts against hybrid threats, including organised crime and terrorism, especially considering that most drug trafficking entering Europe via Portugal originates in Latin America. In 2024, Portugal recorded a record 23 tonnes of cocaine seized, mainly in its ports, consolidating the Brazil-Portugal route as a structural corridor for drug trafficking. Europol reports highlight evasive tactics, such as high-seas transfers using mother ships and daughter boats, which bypass customs controls and increase the risk of armed violence in coastal areas. This maritime security challenge, however, is part of a broader and more volatile geopolitical context. The war in Ukraine, the intensification of competition between major powers, and the melting of the Arctic—which opens new maritime routes potentially dominated by Russia and China—underscore the urgency for a Europe capable of controlling its own 'entry points'. Chinese state-owned companies like Cosco and China Merchants hold significant stakes in strategic terminals such as Piraeus, Hamburg, or Valencia, as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. Foreign capital, under fair and transparent rules, is part of the solution, but excessive dependence on external actors in critical infrastructure constitutes a risk in times of global uncertainty. At the same time, technological dependence raises new concerns. The Chinese company ZPMC dominates between 70% and 80% of the global market for port cranes, many of which are installed in European ports. In a context where logistics data is equivalent to economic and military intelligence, these dependencies bring risks. There is another dimension often forgotten: ports are central nodes of the European energy transition. Liquefied natural gas terminals, green hydrogen, submarine cables, and offshore energy infrastructure increasingly pass through port zones. This means that port security has also become a matter of energy security. The real question, therefore, is not whether Europe needs a port strategy, but whether it will have the political capacity to implement it with the urgency that the moment demands. In a sea of geopolitical uncertainties, whoever controls the ports controls much more than trade: they control the vital arteries of European economic and strategic power.
IP recorded 346 total road closures, with only 34 of those cases remaining to be resolved, clarifies the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing.
The Ministry of Infrastructure states that there are still 34 road situations to be resolved. Furthermore, UEFA will cancel the match between the European and South American champions.
The article provides updates on various recent developments in Portugal. It reports that the government, through Infraestruturas de Portugal, has resolved over 90% of road closures, improving infrastructure. Additionally, a new regional emergency department is set to open at the Loures Hospital on Monday, enhancing healthcare services. The piece also highlights political news, noting that José Luís Carneiro was re-elected as leader of the Socialist Party with the highest number of votes in the Assembly of the Republic. Overall, the article covers infrastructure improvements, healthcare advancements, and political updates within Portugal.
The webpage provides various news updates related to Portugal, including infrastructure developments, healthcare improvements, economic insights, and political events. Notably, the Infrastructure of Portugal has resolved over 90% of road closures, and a new regional emergency department is opening at Loures Hospital. Politically, José Luís Carneiro has been re-elected as the leader of the Socialist Party with strong support. The site also features other national topics such as economic concerns over fuel pricing, local incidents like a motorcycle fatality in Setúbal, and a humorous note about a fisherman who deceived the IPMA for financial gain. Overall, the content highlights ongoing developments and issues within Portugal across multiple sectors.
The webpage provides recent news updates related to Portugal, highlighting infrastructure improvements such as Infraestruturas de Portugal resolving over 90% of road closures, and the opening of a regional emergency department at Hospital de Loures. It also covers economic topics like fuel price adjustments despite discounts, and political developments including José Luís Carneiro's re-election as the most voted leader in the Portuguese Parliament. Additionally, there are reports on local weather support initiatives and ongoing international issues involving Portugal, such as the Middle East conflicts.
The Cascais municipality fears being penalised for having planned works before the storms. The additional 5 million in damage to the seawall may not be accounted for in the APA's 111 million plan.
The most urgent interventions should be completed by May to ensure that the beaches are ready for the bathing season, with funding divided into three phases until 2028. In the municipality of Marinha Grande, damages amount to 143 million euros.
In an interview, engineer Elói Figueiredo discusses the role of engineering in modern society, the impact of climate change on infrastructure, and the need for better maintenance and political decision-making regarding flood-prone areas like the Mondego river basin.
Of the recorded damages, 'half is in roads and thoroughfares', about '11 million in municipal equipment' and more in 'other infrastructure', declared the mayor of the Municipality of Soure.
Coimbra City Council has calculated approximately 15.2 million euros in interventions for municipal facilities affected by bad weather and has also highlighted the need for 29.1 million euros in investment for river regulation. The council estimated a 15.2 million euro impact for repairs to equipment and infrastructure.
The Municipality of Soure has calculated 25 million euros in damages following the bad weather, its mayor told the Lusa agency, warning of the need to repair the road network.
The Marinha Grande City Council has reported 143 million euros in damages to the Central Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) following the severe weather caused by the storm Kristin on January 28. The updated figure, which rose from an initial estimate of 118 million euros, covers municipal infrastructure, public buildings, and damages reported by local social and religious institutions, though it excludes losses in the private business sector. Mayor Paulo Vicente described the destruction as one of the worst in the municipality's recent history and emphasized the urgent need for coordinated support to facilitate reconstruction.
The survey sent by the municipality to the CCDR Centro does not include the losses recorded in the business sector.
The Marinha Grande City Council reported losses of 143 million euros due to bad weather to the Central Regional Coordination and Development Commission, following a preliminary survey that had indicated 118 million euros.
By 2028, interventions will cost 111 million euros. The APA warns that new storms could worsen the situation.
General reassures the population by explaining that the use of live ammunition will be “very minimal” and that all objects launched into the firing range will be highly controlled.
Damage caused by bad weather between October and February along the coast of mainland Portugal requires an investment of 111 million euros, with 15 million to be spent before summer, according to a report released this Wednesday (11) by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA). The APA document, announced at the agency's headquarters in Porto, provides for 15 million euros to be applied by the start of the bathing season in May, another 12 million by the end of the year, 31 million by the end of 2027, and 53 million from 2028 onwards. The investment aims to address the significant impacts on the mainland Portuguese coastline resulting from storms Ingrid, Joseph, Kristin, Leonardo, and Marta, including damage to infrastructure, coastal protection structures, coastline retreat, and changes in beach morphology. The report notes that almost all mainland beaches recorded a significant reduction in sediment, highlighting 571 instances of damage out of 749 reported occurrences. The majority of incidents were in the Central region (257), with over a third related to coastal erosion (36.7%), followed by cliff instability (30.6%). Regarding the damage, nearly half (43.3%) relates to access points, followed by damage to coastal structures (21.7%) such as seawalls or rock armour, with 204 of the 571 cases reported in Ovar. The APA report also warns of a slow and gradual recovery of the beaches, which could be delayed by further bad weather in the spring. The minister admits that the support process for house reconstruction is not going well.
Former Secretary of State for the Environment Joaquim Poças Martins warns that a distinctive dike system in Portugal — described as unique nationwide — was designed for a different climatic baseline and may not cope with the growing intensity and frequency of extreme events such as droughts and floods. He argues the infrastructure and current management practices are not prepared for today’s severe weather patterns, raising questions about public safety, long-term resilience and whether such a project would be approved under modern standards. The assessment points to the need for policy review, risk reassessment and investment in adaptive measures.
![This [dike] system is unique in Portugal, perhaps it wouldn't be built today](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.iol.pt%2Fimage%2Fid%2F698efe22d34e6a48f4467fff%2F200.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Miguel Miranda emphasizes the importance of proactive climate risk management, arguing that it requires significant investment in infrastructure changes, such as burying electrical networks and restricting construction in flood-prone areas. He advocates for Portugal to reassess its priorities and make tough decisions to prevent reactive measures after disasters occur.
The Government has received the first environmental report for the proposed new Lisbon airport, submitted by ANA – Airports of Portugal. The Ministry of Infrastructure said the next step is delivery of a technical report by 16 July, which will detail the project’s principal environmental impacts and justify the choice of location within the Campo de Tiro de Alcochete perimeter. The final environmental impact study is expected to be submitted to the Portuguese Environment Agency in the third quarter, marking a new phase in the planning and regulatory review of the airport project.
