A Group cemented in history, forged in progress

The ETE Group was born some 60 years ago under the sign of Portugal and the Sea.

Since then it has grown and consolidated it position, established today as a benchmark Group in maritime and port activities, along with other similar business operations. It has done so not only in Portugal, but in the main Portuguese-speaking African countries, having extended its business well beyond its maritime activities to cover other areas going from marine repairs to insurance, and from banking to trading.

And that is how we intend to go on – acting as powerhouse for our subsidiaries, whose growth is a source of pride to us - while actively contributing to our country’s economy and progress.

To speak of the ETE Group is tantamount to speaking of an overall and diversified offer of services, fitting in perfectly with the demands of globalization, so characteristic of the world today. It is tantamount to speaking of a philosophy of dedication to the customer, that is trustworthy, rigorous and prepared right down to the last detail. It is also tantamount to speaking of a corporate culture underpinned by the achievement of excellence that combines solid competence with daring innovation.

First emerging in 1936, we specialized as port operators. From the outset, we introduced an innovative system for unloading ships lying offshore in the River Tagus basin, using floating cranes with reception on barges. Today, we have taken on the role of leaders in this type of cargo handling at practically all Portuguese ports, namely, Lisbon, Leixões, Aveiro, Figueira da Foz, Setúbal, Sines, Portimão and Faro.

In Lisbon, aside from offshore unloading, the ETE Group operates a container terminal, and two multipurpose terminals for handling bulk and separated cargoes.

At the two existing terminals in the port of Leixões, one for containerized cargo and the other for handling bulk and separated cargoes, the Group holds a stake in both concessionaires, being the core shareholder of the company operating the latter.

In Aveiro, the ETE Group operates through an associate company, of which it is the major shareholder.

The ETE Group is also present in Setúbal.

In Sines, the Group is the majority shareholder in Portsines, the concessionaire for the Sines Multipurpose Terminal, especially focusing on unloading coal for Portuguese power stations and other industrial consumers. Here, it shifts some 6 million metric tons/year.

The ETE Group is also present in the Azores, through its subsidiary, Açorportos.

In Mozambique, the Group, through a subsidiary, is the core shareholder of the concessionaire and operator for the containerized cargo terminal in Maputo for coastal shipping.

In Angola, the ETE Group was recently short-listed for the tender award of the concession for the Container and General Cargo Terminals in Luanda.

On a par with its cargo-handling business at ports, maritime transportation likewise represents a traditional Group activity, having grown substantially in the past decade.

In effect, companies such as Companhia Insulana de Navegação and Safamar played an important role in the Group and the country for some 30 years.

Later, the Group broke into the shipping business through the company of Vieira & Silveira. Initially, carrying bulk cargo. Later, as a regular shipping line running between the Portuguese mainland and Madeira. A service that this company still successfully operates.

In the latter part of the 90’s, the ETE Group acquired Transinsular, the foremost national regular shipping line, with a leading position in traffic between the Portuguese mainland and Madeira and the Azores, as well as for Northern Europe/Portugal/Canary Islands/Cape Verde/Guinea Bissau.

Transinsular is also a specialized shipper of cement, operating five ships on a regular basis in this segment of the market, with two owned by it and three chartered.

Furthermore, in respect to bulk cargo, Transinsular is also involved in the transportation of coal. This is based on a standing agreement made with EDP (electrical company), involving the operation of a Cape Size vessel of 150,000 dwt, chartered jointly with the Belgian shipping company, Bocimar.

All told, it runs 15 ships, nine of its own and six chartered.

In Mozambique, the ETE Group, through Transinsular, is the principal shareholder of Navique – Empresa Moçambicana de Navegação, S.A.R.L, which is one of the leading companies in coastal shipping between South Africa and Mozambique, as well as between the major Mozambican ports. It is part of a pool with Mozline/Unicorn, which also includes traffic between Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya. Navique operates with two multipurpose ships, chartered by Transinsular, with the operation of a third ship for the transportation of bulk cargo shortly envisaged.

Within the framework of activities related to maritime transportation and port operations, the ETE Group already has its own network of both shipping and forwarding agents. These cover the main ports on the Portuguese mainland and in Madeira and the Azores, as well as Cape Verde. With regard to the former, we would highlight Navex, T&M, TI-Açores, TI-Madeira and Agemar-Cabo Verde, and with regard to the latter, ATI and Listubal.

Also within this sphere, the Group is the major shareholder of a ship-management company, S&C, specializing in ship maintenance and crew management, providing services for the Group’s own companies, and Portuguese and foreign shipowners.

On the marine repair side, the Group holds an appreciable stake in the Navalrocha shipyards, which repairs medium-sized ships. It also controls the Navaltagus shipyards, dedicated to the repair of small vessels.