Portugal’s leading homegrown cruise operator is looking for a US partner for its project that is estimated to cost in the region of 80 million Brazilian reais.
According to company owner, Mário Ferreira, the objective is to create a ‘joint-venture’ between Mystic Cruises and an American partner who would have to invest in the region of 40 percent of the capital, to launch the project in Brazil in 2014.
"I’m going to have meetings with hedge funds, investment funds, and big, worldwide cruise companies", Mr. Ferreira announced last week, as he took part in a committee trip of around 20 Portuguese companies and public entities to New York, New Jersey and Miami.
His mission is being aided by the US Embassy in Lisbon, who’s Ambassador Allan Katz, according to Mr. Ferreira, took it upon himself to arrange meetings with potential partners in Miami, Florida (USA), the State most closely connected to cruising.
"The USA controls 85 percent of world cruise companies and it is home to the biggest client market", the Portuguese businessman explained.
The Amazonian cruise will be carried out by a vessel built in Portugal, by Martifer.
Douro Azul is currently awaiting the construction of two new ships by Martifer to reinforce its cruise routes along the Douro. Reinforcing the Douro fleet has cost the company some €51 million, for which it benefitted from financial support from Aicep, in the region of €37.5 million.
"It all has to do with a yearly two-digit percentage growth that the international market sets for this type of business model. It grows every day", Mr. Ferreira said.