The Cape Verdean Government announced yesterday that it is working with the municipalities of the islands of Brava and Maio to provide alternative maritime transport options, as vessels operated by the concessionaire CV Interilhas are currently out of service and under repair.
“The Government acknowledges the difficulties currently affecting inter-island maritime transport due to breakdowns in the vessels Kriola and Liberdadi, which are undergoing repairs,” the statement reads. It adds that the Government “is working to provide an effective response to the problems affecting the population as soon as possible.”
The document details consultations with the local authorities of Maio and Brava islands, ensuring connections to the capital, Praia, just days after the population protested against the chronic irregularity of the transport services.
Two of CV Interilhas’ four vessels—responsible for public maritime transport of passengers and cargo—were involved in accidents in February and April and have been out of operation, weakening the service.
CV Interilhas is a Cape Verdean shipping company established in 2019, with which the Cape Verdean Government signed a 20-year concession contract for the provision of public inter-island maritime transport services.
The company is made up of 12 shipping firms, including Portugal’s Grupo ETE, which holds a 51% stake through its subsidiaries Transinsular and Transinsular Cabo Verde. The remaining shares are held by 11 Cape Verdean companies.
Source: Lusa
