By the power of the sea, we advance the country, society and the economy of the countries where we are present.

The year it was founded

The year 1936 marks the beginning of ETE’s history, with the establishment of ‘Empresa de Tráfego e Estiva, S.A.’ — the first Portuguese company specialising in offshore cargo handling operations. Founded by Captain Luiz de Figueiredo, the grandfather of the current shareholder, ETE introduced, at the time, an innovative solution designed to speed up unloading operations in Portuguese ports which, due to congestion and the resulting high operating costs, were causing significant expenses and delays for shipowners and vessels. ETE would later give rise to the ETE Group, following the acquisition of other companies in the sector.

Expansion of operations

The ETE Group began its activities in offshore bulk unloading operations. As a pioneer in this type of operation, the Group introduced an innovative solution and numerous benefits, both for its own business and for its customers, reducing costs and vessel waiting times.

Start of operations with floating cranes

The ETE Group has become a pioneer in the use of floating cranes in Portugal, having acquired the first such vessel in Germany. The current cranes, the ‘Vigorosa’ and the ‘Poderosa’, continue to support river operations on the River Tagus to this day.

Presentation of the tugboat and barge system

The ETE Group introduced its first standardised barges, bringing pushers into service to replace traditional tugboats. In the same year, the Mestre Janota crane was acquired, which now supports port operations in Colombia.

Start of the Portsines Concession

The ETE Group began operations at the TMS — Sines Multifunctional Terminal — with a particular focus on the unloading and dispatch of coal destined for the EDP thermal power stations in Sines and those of Tejo Energia in Pego. However, given the terminal’s characteristics, the concession and operation of the terminal have enabled ETE to include the handling of other types of bulk and general cargo.

Acquisition of Socarmar

Acquisition of Socarmar, a local shipping company specialising in various types of port logistics operations and services.

Resumption of activity in the Azores and Madeira

Cruises to the Azores and Madeira archipelagos resume with Vieira & Silveira.

Establishment of the ETE Group and expansion into Mozambique

The ETE Group was formally established as a result of the expansion of its business activities and portfolio of companies, as well as its international expansion into Mozambique through its first coastal shipping company, which continues to operate to this day under the name ETE Logística.

Acquisition of Transinsular

Acquisition of Transinsular — Transportes Marítimos Insulares, S.A. — by the ETE Group. This transaction has made the Group the largest national shipowner, opening up new horizons for its operations and activities. As part of the ETE Group, Transinsular is now able to offer transport solutions that include integrated services and intermodal transport.

New port concessions

A significant expansion of the ETE Group’s national network of port concessions, giving the Group an extensive presence in Portugal’s main ports, namely Leixões, Lisbon, Setúbal and Sines.

Establishment of shared services

The ETE Group has taken an important step towards business efficiency by reorganising its corporate structure and creating what are known as shared services — the current Corporate Departments — responsible for standardising and delivering services in the areas of legal affairs, human resources, IT, accounting and management control. The Group currently also has additional Corporate Departments dedicated to Communications and Branding, and Business Development. These departments are responsible for ensuring that these services are provided to all companies within the Group.

Remedial tuition in Mozambique

The ETE Group is expanding its fleet in Mozambique.

Establishment of ETE Logística

The establishment of ETE Logística has enabled the Group to consolidate its leadership in containerised freight handling and strengthen its presence across the entire logistics chain, both in the transport of goods by sea, land and air, and in warehouse management.

Expansion of operations in South America, in Uruguay

This year marks the start of the ETE Group’s international expansion in South America, with the launch of operations in Uruguay. Specialising in river transport, the ETE Group, through Transfluvial – in which it holds a stake – is responsible for one of the largest log transport operations on the River Uruguay, supplying one of the world’s leading pulp mills, Montes del Plata. This milestone also reinforces its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Expansion of operations in South America, into Colombia

The ETE Group is strengthening its presence in South America with the start of operations in Colombia through ETE SAS, a company specialising in river transport and supporting port operations on the Magdalena River, at the ports of Barranquilla, Cartagena and others.

Construction of the first tugboat

Navaltagus, a company within the ETE Group, is launching an innovative project of Portuguese origin with the construction of the Group’s first push tug – the ‘Baía do Seixal’, which remains in service to this day, supporting river and port operations. The vessel has a shallow draught, a short length and high power, enabling it to operate in narrow, winding and shallow sections of the river.

Acquisition of the first tanker

Acquisition of the ETE Group’s first tanker – the ‘São Jorge’, responsible for supplying fuel to the entire Autonomous Region of the Azores.

Expansion of the tugboat fleet

Construction of the multi-purpose workboat ‘Punta Tigre’ at the ETE Group’s Navaltagus Shipyard, with the aim of supporting Transfluvial’s operations in Uruguay. Subsequently, a new workboat with the same specifications – the ‘Cachão da Valeira’ – was also built, which supports the operations of the Port Authorities of the Douro, Leixões and Viana do Castelo.

Public Service Concession for Inter-island Maritime Transport of Passengers and Cargo in Cape Verde

The ETE Group, through Transinsular, has been awarded a 20-year public service concession for inter-island passenger and freight transport in Cape Verde. The concession led to the establishment of the concessionaire CV Interilhas, a company incorporated under Cape Verdean law.

Expansion of operations in Europe, with entry into the Belgian market

Establishment of ETE Logistixx, with the aim of meeting logistics needs in Northern Europe and the Benelux countries. The result of a joint venture between the ETE Group and the Belgian company Steelduxx.

Establishment of NANAMI Shipping BV and entry into the Asian market

The ETE Group has formalised a new joint venture with the Belgian company SteelDuxx and its new partners SevenLog (Ghana) and TST Japan (Japan), establishing NANAMI Shipping BV. It is a logistics operator whose mission is to bring markets closer together and promote trade between Asia, Europe and Africa.

Opening an office in Dubai (UAE)

With the aim of strengthening its international position in the field of Shipping and Logistics, the ETE Group is opening offices in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, as a result of its ongoing commitment to new markets, opportunities and innovation. Navex Maritime Services thus represents an expansion of Navex – a Portuguese shipping company that forms part of the ETE Group and whose mission is to develop business at a local level, within the maritime agency sector (including cruise ships and superyachts) and also in the logistics sector, offering integrated solutions to any part of the world.

Expansion of logistics operations in Europe

Reorganisation of the logistics operations business area, which led the Group to open offices in Europe, specifically in Spain and the United Kingdom. The companies ETE Logística España and ETE Logística UK were established, with their own offices in the cities of Seville, Badajoz, Valencia and Manchester, respectively.

Inauguration ceremony and handover of the first 100 per cent electric ferry – Salicórnia – built by the ETE Group for the Municipality of Aveiro

In 2020, the Group won an international public tender launched by Aveiro City Council for the construction of a 100% electric ferry designed to provide a river crossing for passengers between Forte da Barra and São Jacinto, in Aveiro. The new ferry, with ZERO CO₂ emissions, was built entirely in Portugal at the ETE Group’s Navaltagus Shipyard and features a Portuguese design and naval architecture. This unique project places the ETE Group at the forefront of sustainable maritime transport.

Inauguration ceremony for the new temperature-controlled warehouse at the ETE Group’s logistics hub in Ponta Delgada (Azores)

Following the opening of the Ponta Delgada Logistics Platform on São Miguel in the Azores in 2020, the ETE Group has increased its temperature-controlled storage capacity and now offers more than 4,000 m². This effective response to market conditions will boost the trade in refrigerated freight — particularly in terms of imports and exports — with a particular focus on dairy products, meat and other fresh produce from the region.

Public opening ceremony for the new river terminal in Castanheira do Ribatejo

The Castanheira do Ribatejo river terminal is a new logistics infrastructure project aimed at taking up to 400 lorries a day off Lisbon’s roads by using the River Tagus to transport containers. Known as the ‘Primeira Porta de Lisboa’, it will be situated next to the Lisbon North Logistics Platform and will have the capacity to handle up to four barges and over 2,500 tonnes of cargo per day. The new terminal is a partnership between the ETE Group and the Pousadinha Group, representing an investment of 11 million euros. It is expected to create around 250 jobs.