Delivery of cargo from Portugal. Portuguese infrastructure for export and import

Portugal is one of the countries of the European Union that does not hold leading economic positions within it. However, Portugal has a modern economy, where a large part of GDP is created not in the manufacturing sector, but in the service sector. In the Portuguese economy, the service sector accounts for more than 75% of GDP. The standard of living in the country is somewhat lower than in the leading EU countries.

Transport in Portugal

Portugal is a country in Western Europe and all modern types of transport are present there. The corresponding infrastructure has been created for the functioning of road, air, rail, and water transport. The quality of the infrastructure is inferior to, for example, the German one, but significantly exceeds the similar infrastructure in the CIS countries.

Geographically, Portugal is located on the Iberian Peninsula and shares it with Spain. Portugal has no other land borders besides the Spanish one. To the south and west, the Portuguese territory is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. This allows for maritime communication with all continents.

Roads for cargo transportation by road transport

The total length of Portuguese roads has closely approached 83 thousand km. More than 71 thousand km of roads have a solid surface. Highways stretch for almost 3 thousand km.

There is a toll for traveling on highways. Some road bridges are also toll. As for the quality of the roads, the highways are in excellent condition, while the other roads are divided into national, regional, and municipal. The quality of national roads is good. Regional and municipal roads can vary. Sometimes there are completely broken sections on them.

Air infrastructure of Portugal

Portugal has 64 airports. 43 of them have a solid runway surface. 20 of these airports have runways longer than 1524 meters, allowing them to accept modern types of aircraft. There are five international airports in Portugal:

1. In Lisbon, which is the capital of Portugal.
2. In Ponta Delgada in the Azores.
3. In the city of Porto.
4. In the port city of Faro.
5. In the city of Funchal on the island of Madeira.

Cargo transportation by water transport

From the city of Porto to the Atlantic coast stretches a navigable section of the Douro River, allowing vessels with a deadweight of up to 500 tons to navigate. The length of the section is 210 km.

The main water transport is carried out through the Atlantic ports of Portugal. The main seaports of the country are:

• Leixões.
• Lisbon.
• Setúbal.
• Sintra.

Portuguese railways

The total length of the Portuguese railway tracks is 3075 km. Of these, 1081 km is narrow gauge with a width of 1 m. The standard gauge of the Portuguese railway is 1668 mm. The same width applies to the railways of Spain. Meanwhile, the standard width of railways in European countries is 1435 mm. When importing into Spain and then into Portugal or exporting goods from them by rail, transshipment must be carried out en route.

Structure of Portuguese exports

The main export goods of Portugal are: petroleum products, cars, car parts, leather shoes, paper, natural cork.