Madeira and AIDA Join Forces to Reforest Funchal
The Port Authority of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (APRAM, SA) collaborated with AIDA Cruises to carry out an important tree-planting initiative at Funchal’s Ecological Park.
This event is part of the environmental sustainability policy pursued by Madeira’s ports and involved active participation from several stakeholders, including the Municipality of Funchal, the maritime agency Blandy Shipping, and the crew of the cruise ship AIDAcosma, with Captain Vincent Cofalka and some guests on board.
Vincent Cofalka, captain of AIDAcosma, and Patrícia Bairrada, Commercial Director and Public Relations Officer of APRAM.
The collaboration aimed to highlight a concrete commitment to the environment, sustainability, and social responsibility. Patrícia Bairrada, Commercial and Public Relations Director of Madeira Ports, noted that this is the second initiative of its kind promoted in cooperation with AIDA Cruises in Funchal. Last year, the crew of the AIDAcosma had already taken part in a planting project in the same area, which has now been further strengthened thanks to a return visit with a group of passengers during the final call of the cruise season.
Captain Vincent Cofalka emphasized AIDA Cruises’ satisfaction in actively contributing to the local communities visited season after season, highlighting how these environmental actions represent a tangible way to strengthen ties with the region and promote environmental sustainability. Overall, around twenty trees were planted in a dedicated area marked with a plaque identifying the German company.
The AIDAcosma made its last call of the cruise season in Madeira with a total of 5,819 passengers and 1,427 crew members. During the season, which runs from November to March, the ship made 20 calls in Funchal before moving on to the Mediterranean for the summer season.
port of funchal
Madeira’s ports, strategically located in the Atlantic Ocean, have long been a key reference point for transatlantic routes. The port of Funchal, with a history dating back to the 15th century, has undergone a deep transformation focused on tourism over the past thirty years, becoming since 2005 an exclusive terminal for cruise ships, mega-yachts, training ships, and military vessels. In 2023, the port recorded the highest number of calls and passengers in its history, confirming its status as one of the most important destinations for over half a million maritime tourists every year.
This initiative represents a further step towards more sustainable and responsible tourism, strengthening the role of APRAM and AIDA Cruises as key players committed to environmental protection and supporting local communities.
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