Container transport to both the Azores and the mainland is not very fast, but at least it is a reliable service. A 20ft container is the most common. Container transport, besides inter-island transport, also of livestock, focuses mainly on transport to and from Portugal mainland. The orientation is always eastward, even if the goods have their final destination westward towards the Americas.
“Container transport is at least a reliable service. There are regular maritime connections between the islands, provided by several companies from the different harbours on the islands.”
Loose pallets are reasonably doable to the Azores, provided that more than good wrapping is used, bombproof so to speak. Because the sea, especially in certain seasons, can be rough and unpredictable.
For loose pallet transport to mainland, of course, the same applies. But in addition, especially on the smaller islands, count on considerable waiting times, because the container is not cleared until it is filled. And the latter can easily take a while, because there is not much trade from the islands that goes out of the islands via container transport.
There are regular maritime connections in between the islands, provided by several specialized local companies operating from the different harbours on the islands.
Container transport between the islands to the mainland is carried out by only a limited number of national parties.
Air freight is also doable, but limited in size and, because of the cost, mostly only realistic for goods from a certain economic value. The regional airline of the Azores that maintains a regular, direct connection with all islands is Sata. For transport of quickly perishable goods, good arrangements will always have to be made in advance.
