The Repsol Honda HRC rider takes two wins on the opening day in the Portuguese coastal town. Gabriel Marcelli finishes sixth. Viana do Castelo welcomed the TrialGP World Championship’s TR1 class for the first time ever this Saturday. The Repsol Honda HRC riders arrived eager to open their win account in the Portuguese town in style, and performed well. Toni Bou took victory in both races, while teammate Gabriel Marcelli claimed fourth and seventh place. In Race 1, the sections were slippery due to the constant rain the day before, yet the current championship leader was able to achieve success. Bou started off by stringing together a pair of zeros in the first sections, and despite accumulating two consecutive fives, he didn’t relinquish his lead, which he held until the end of the race. The Repsol Honda rider took his first victory of the day with 23 penalty points, to second-place finisher Jaime Busto’s 28. For Race 2, all the TR1 class riders took a step forward, accruing fewer points. Despite this, Bou managed to hold on and, making few mistakes, took another victory in Viana do Castelo. Overall, the Montesa Cota 4RT rider was crowned Saturday’s winner, taking the top step of the podium. He has a total of four wins so far in 2025. Gabriel Marcelli, riding in the race closest to home for him, had a series of struggles. In the first race, the Galician was fighting for victory alongside his teammate and Busto. A series of errors in the final sections ultimately resulted in him tying with Matteo Grattarola on points for third place, the Repsol Honda rider finishing fourth on time. Despite starting Race 2 with maximum motivation and confidence, luck wasn’t on Marcelli’s side. A big crash in Zone 10 caused mechanical problems that relegated him to seventh place, from fighting for the podium. With both results, the Repsol Honda rider finished sixth, earning 22 points overall. Toni Bou earned a total of 40 points between the two races, plus three extra points for being the fastest in the ‘Power Section.’ Marcelli took 22 points overall. Bou leads the World Championship and Marcelli in third position. Sunday’s action begins at 8:00 a.m. local time Toni Bou currently leads the standings after taking three wins at the first round of the year. Teammate Gabriel Marcelli is third with 62 points. The TrialGP World Championship moves on to its second round of the 2025 season this weekend in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, which will host the international series for the first time. Toni Bou is currently in the top spot in the standings after his strong debut at the first round of the year, and Gabriel Marcelli rounds out the top three in the overall classification. Bou heads into the second round of the TrialGP World Championship season after an impressive start to the campaign in Benahavís, Málaga. The Montesa Cota 4RT rider took three first places and one second place in the four races held less than a week ago. With 77 points, he leads the standings, and his goal will be to maintain his consistent performance and results this weekend. Marcelli will be eager to put on a good show. He will be racing just a few kilometres from his home, and is currently third overall with 62 points, just five behind second-placed Jaime Busto. Last weekend, the 25-year-old demonstrated his excellent form, securing three podium finishes from the four races. For the second round of the season, the Repsol Honda rider will be looking for his first victory in the class. The race in Viana do Castelo will consist of two days of competition. On Friday, riders in all classes will undergo administrative and technical checks, as well as site visits and practice. “We're approaching the second race of the season with enthusiasm after a strong start. We know it will be a very close year due to the new regulations; we saw that in the first race, so we'll have to be very consistent, which will be our strategy throughout the weekend. Mistakes are costly, so the key will be to maintain consistency across all four races. Portugal always has very good terrain, and we expect a fun race for the spectators.” “We're very satisfied with the team's start to the season. Toni has once again demonstrated his high level and his ability to quickly adapt to any terrain. Gabri has also done a very good job, establishing himself among the best riders and very close to second place. We're arriving in Portugal highly motivated and aiming to continue scoring important points. Viana do Castelo is a new venue, which always adds an extra challenge, but the team are ready to take it on.” The staircase is detached from the walls and slab and is joined by a loose concrete volume that rises from the floor and forms the first three steps of the staircase You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email The modernisation of the surface fleet of the Portuguese Navy reached a significant milestone on 31 March with the start of the construction of the first of six additional Viana do Castelo-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) at West Sea – Estaleiros Navais' shipyard in Viana do Castelo This new batch of multimission OPVs was ordered on 29 December 2023 under a contract awarded by the Ministry of National Defence to meet the requirements of the NPO3S (Navios de Patrulha Oceanicos da 3ª série) project part of the navy's fleet renewal programme The commissioning of the six OPVs is scheduled to take place between 2027 and 2031 The fleet was designed to carry out a large payload of missions Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more.. Delivering trusted intelligence to warfighters to protect national interests Providing mission users with faster access to quality data to pre-empt threats and protect national security Assured interconnected OSINT to deliver informed Solutions Insights About Contact Request a demo Customer Login Store Receive the latest developments in defence and security as well as keep informed on Janes news and events Janes Intelligence SummaryA fortnightly update featuring the latest analysis This section of the website is exclusively reserved for members of the FIM Family: CONUs members and honorary members of the commissions You are a member of the FIM Family and do not have your access? Do not hesitate to contact us Sign in The FIM is also involved in non-sport activities - tourism or sport-related activities such as women in motorcycling sustainability is linked to both sporting and non-sporting areas as is the educational side we are developing to get the new generation on 2 wheels We inform you about all aspects of the motorcycling world The official presentation of the Portuguese round of the 2025 FIM Trial World Championship took place last Thursday ahead of the highly anticipated event set to unfold on April 11 and 13 in the stunning city of Viana do Castelo Ricardo Rego – Sports Councillor of the Viana do Castelo Municipality Daniel Costa – President of Motoclube Foz do Lima Manuel Vieira – President of the FMP Trial Commission a legendary figure in Portuguese motorsport A highlight of the event was the unveiling of the official promotional video along with two special messages from Jorge Viegas President of the FIM – International Motorcycling Federation President of the FMP – Portuguese Motorcycling Federation Sports Councillor Ricardo Rego expressed his hopes that Viana do Castelo will be one of the best stages of this Trial World Championship He also emphasized that the municipality’s support for world-class events like this aims to inspire local athletes by allowing them to engage with their international idols ultimately fostering the growth of the sport in the region.Portugal Strengthens Its Presence in the Trial World ChampionshipThis marks Portugal’s 15th time hosting a round of the Trial World Championship the vibrant city of Viana do Castelo will welcome this thrilling competition The event further reinforces Portugal’s commitment to top-tier motorsport events while establishing the Minho region as a prime destination for international sports As the second stop in the seven-round 2025 TrialGP calendar the event will be organized by Motoclube Foz do Lima in partnership with the Viana do Castelo Municipality The choice of location highlights the region’s exceptional infrastructure and breathtaking landscapes key factors in bringing this world-class competition to Portugal The CompetitionThe event will gather the elite of Trial racing featuring around 100 riders from 16 different nationalities the paddock will be set up along the scenic riverside area next to the iconic Gil Eannes Hospital Ship riders will take on the challenging course at Monte de Santa Luzia featuring 12 sections – including three artificial obstacle zones scattered throughout the city Each rider will complete the course twice on both Saturday and Sunday while Friday will be dedicated to technical checks and zone inspections.Portuguese Participation in Trial2 WomenLocal talent Mariana Afonso will be the only Portuguese rider competing in this event where she is currently battling for the national title she couldn’t miss the chance to compete at home in the discipline that launched her career."It will be an immense honor to return to world-class competition and race in my hometown We are certain this will be an unforgettable event" said Mariana Afonso With Spain’s close proximity – a country with a strong tradition in Trial racing – and Viana do Castelo’s spectacular setting a massive turnout of spectators is expected both from Portugal and from “nuestros hermanos” across the border This event promises to be a milestone in both the national and international sporting calendar further elevating Viana do Castelo and Portugal as key players in the world of motorsport.Photos: CMVC For regular updates check out www.trialgp.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram content_copy download Use code with caution Viana do Castelo-class is being progressively upgraded to enable vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations to provide intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities the Portuguese Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) NRP Viana do Castelo arrived at the Port of Cape Town marking another significant stop in its extensive journey around Africa the Viana do Castelo has already visited Namibia in September and Mozambique in early October followed by participation in the Grand African Nemo exercise in the Gulf of Guinea The vessel’s itinerary includes stops in Cabo Verde and Mauritania before returning to Portugal in December The Viana do Castelo class is a class of offshore patrol vessels planned by and for the Portuguese Navy as a result of the NPO2000 Project (Portuguese that are being constructed in the West Sea Shipyard the NRP Viana do Castelo is the first of its class with a beam of 12.95 meters and a draught of 3.82 meters Originally designed to operate in the North Atlantic Ocean the vessel’s primary roles include fisheries protection and search and rescue (SAR) operations the Portuguese Navy has made several upgrades to its OPVs Initially equipped with an old 40 mm naval gun it now boasts a 30 mm Oto Melara Marlin main gun Future upgrades are set to enhance its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities and enable vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones for intelligence The Viana do Castelo’s visit to Cape Town coincided with the arrival of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessel Lyme Bay other notable naval visitors included the Brazilian Niteroi-class frigate BNS Defensora equipped with a Super Lynx helicopter and a Special Forces team featuring a Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopter and an Indian Special Forces team Both of these vessels are currently participating in Exercise Ibsamar alongside the South African Navy frigate SAS Amatola The NRP Viana do Castelo is scheduled to depart Cape Town on Monday The vessel’s extensive journey underscores the Portuguese Navy’s commitment to international cooperation and maritime security Its participation in multinational exercises like the Grand African Nemo in the Gulf of Guinea further demonstrates its role in fostering regional stability and security ABB has secured a contract with the West Sea Shipyard to equip six new OPVs of the Portuguese Navy with an integrated power ABB has secured a contract with the West Sea Shipyard located in Viana do Castelo Portugal to equip six new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) of the Portuguese Navy with an integrated power and automation system designed to ensure optimal efficiency The vessels are planned to be delivered between 2027 – 2031 The new vessels will be equipped with the Azipod® propulsion system Onboard DC Grid™ power system platform and the distributed control system ABB Ability™ System 800xA® ABB’s solutions will enable increased operational efficiencies for the vessels helping reduce fuel consumption and emissions Azipod® electric propulsion will optimize the efficiency of the forthcoming vessels steerable propulsion system in which the electric drive motor is housed within a pod outside the ship’s hull By increasing maneuverability and operating efficiency of vessels Azipod® propulsion system helps to cut fuel consumption compared with conventional shaftline systems Tailored to meet the needs of next-generation vessels Onboard DC Grid™ is a modular and compact power system platform which offers several benefits compared to its AC counterpart The solution enables savings in weight and space and facilitates the integration of variable speed generators and new energy sources to future-proof vessels for evolving requirements Onboard DC Grid™ significantly reduces fuel consumption and emissions Onboard DC Grid™ supports the simplest to the most demanding of applications while its best-in-class fault tolerance maximizes safety and reliability The ABB Ability™ System 800xA® is an automation solution designed to enhance the efficiency and safety of marine vessels It integrates various systems and equipment on board providing a single user environment for seamless operations This system allows the crew to access all necessary information from an intuitive making it easier to operate the vessel more effectively and safely As part of the package ABB will also supply its power and energy management system PEMS™ In combination with Onboard DC Grid™ the system forms the core of a vessel’s combined power and control system This enables optimal use of the vessel’s total power resources in a safe Cox Marine announced a series of changes to its commercial operations and sales leadership structure The offshore rig market recovery appears to have taken a pause with demand tapering off and marketed utilization hitting… Lloyd's Register OneOcean (LR OneOcean) has collaborated with TotalEnergies to deploy advanced route optimization technology… Jan De Nul has kicked off the installation campaign of the monopile foundations for RWE’s Thor offshore wind farm we excel in creating stunning illuminated yacht names and logos and cutting-edge LED and fiber optic solutions Maritime Reporter E-News is the maritime industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service delivered to your Email five times per week This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page With the opening round now consigned to the record books round two of the 2025 Hertz FIM Trial World Championship – the TrialGP of Portugal – takes place this coming weekend (11-13 April) at Viana do Castelo on the Atlantic coast As was the case with last weekend’s opening round at Benahavis in Spain the chosen venue of Viana do Castelo is new to the Hertz FIM Trial World Championship and competitors can expect to be challenged by perilously steep climbs and descents with huge natural rock formations stretching their skills to the limit Trial2 Women and Trial3 – will be in action and the against-the-clock points-scoring ‘Power Section’ will again feature at the close of Saturday’s competition for the elite TrialGP and TrialGP Women riders Attempting to win an incredible nineteenth consecutive TrialGP title, Toni Bou (Montesa) emerged from his home round in the lead after dominating on the opening day before his compatriot Jaime Busto (GASGAS) found his form on the Sunday With a new format that has seen each day’s two laps rebranded as separate races with championship points up for grabs in both, Bou’s three wins and a second put him in pole with a ten-point lead after Busto – who was restricted to two third-placed finishes on the Saturday behind Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa) – took the overall win on Sunday with a second and a victory Last season’s vice-champion, Marcelli came close to beating his team-mate in Race Two on Saturday but the following day he slipped to fourth in the opening race behind fellow Spaniard Aniol Gelabert (TRRS) before recovering to third in Race Two to end the weekend five points behind Busto Finishing the opening day with four-four race results, Matteo Grattarola (Beta) currently sits fourth in the points twelve adrift of Marcelli and three ahead of Gelabert whose three-six finishes on Sunday just gave him the edge over the veteran Italian’s five-four scores on the final day Widely regarded as the pre-season favourite in TrialGP Women Spain’s Berta Abellan (Scorpa) slipped to a surprise fifth in Race One on Saturday before fighting back winning the day’s final race and then sweeping both races on Sunday to open up a four-point advantage heading into the TrialGP of Portugal After winning the opening race and finishing second in Race Two Italy’s Andrea Sofia Rabino (Beta) held the overnight lead before two-four results the following day dropped her to second but she leads third-placed Denisa Pecháčková (TRRS) – who ran three-four on Saturday followed by five-two on Sunday – by eleven points Currently nine points behind the Czech rider, Alice Minta (Beta) from Britain – whose weekend highlight was a fighting third in Race Two on Sunday – sits fourth three ahead of her compatriot Kaytlyn Adshead (Sherco) who struggled to replicate the form that carried her to second in Race One on the opening day With reigning Trial2 champion Jack Peace (Sherco) moving up to TrialGP this season 2023 champion Billy Green (Scorpa) took full advantage to remain unbeaten on the first day in Spain before running three-four the following day to take a healthy thirteen-point lead into Viana do Castelo Green’s main challenge in Portugal could come from his compatriot Harry Hemingway (Beta) who started his title campaign with a disappointing eighth in Saturday’s first race but recovered to second in Race Two before scoring four-two finishes the next day to secure second in the series the nineteen-year-old is tied with French rider Benoit Bincaz (Electric Motion) – who this year has dropped down from TrialGP – whose four-three and one-nine finishes over the opening weekend provide an insight into just how close and competitive this class is In his debut season in the class after winning back-to-back Trial3 titles seventeen-year-old George Hemingway – Harry’s younger brother – shocked the field on Sunday in Spain by posting the best two combined race finishes as he climbed from eighth in the points on the opening day to fourth it is impossible to pick a favourite this coming weekend and we can expect strong performances from riders including 2022 champion Sondre Haga (GASGAS) Spain’s Arnau Farré (Sherco) and Miquel Gelabert (Honda) on the new RTL Electric as well as Czech rider David Fabian (Beta) who signed off on his inconsistent weekend with victory in Race Two on Sunday The highest-placed competitor from 2024 in Trial2 Women Italy’s Sara Trentini (TRRS) stuck to the form book and backed up one-three race results on the opening day with one-two finishes on the Sunday to open up a ten-point gap over French rider Margaux Pena (Electric Motion) whose combined three-one race finishes gave her the overall win on Saturday after winning a tie-break with Trentini sits third a further eleven points off the pace after running nine-seven on the concluding day The sport’s brightest up-and-coming talents can be found in Trial3 where Norwegian teenager Jonas Jorgensen (Beta) leads by fourteen points after posting incredibly consistent one-two and then two-one race finishes but he was defeated in Race Two on Saturday by American series newcomer Ryon Land (Sherco) and in Race One on Sunday by Japan’s Jin Kuroyama (Sherco) With strong challenges also expected from riders including the British pairing of Harison Skelton (Scorpa) and Euan Sim (Sherco) and Italian Fabio Mazzola (TRRS) it will be fascinating to watch the action in this class unfold.The points-scoring action from Viana do Castelo is scheduled to get under way at 09:00 local time on Saturday Taking the 2025 Hertz FIM Trial World Championship to a global audience, FIM-MOTO.TV will stream all rounds LIVE including behind-the-scenes footage interviews and expert analysis with a season pass covering all seven rounds and the FIM Trial des Nations priced at €34.90 for all 2025 rounds the opening race in Trial2 on all scoring days will be streamed free on FIM-MOTO.TV and TrialGP and TrialGP Women action from race two on all scoring days will be available via a pay-per-view pass and ensures that the creation of new opportunities for economic growth and technological innovation is done in a sustainable way".Reporting by Sergio Goncalves; Editing by Chris Reese Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved The Portuguese government has agreed on and signed the rules of procedure for a new Technological Free Zone located off the coast of Viana do Castelo designated for offshore wind demonstration projects The update was shared by Portugal’s Secretary of State for Maritime Affairs Lidia Bulcão on 3 December at an international offshore wind conference in Lisbon hosted by WavEC Offshore Renewables in collaboration with the Embassy of Norway in Portugal Innovation Norway and Norwegian Offshore Wind “The rules of procedure for the Technological Free Zone for renewable energies of ocean origin located off the coast of Viana do Castelo are set to be signed today” “This will enable the testing of innovative solutions and the generation of knowledge critical for future commercial applications All these regulatory instruments prioritised from the outset of our mandate will ensure that marine resource exploitation is both balanced and sustainable while creating new opportunities for technological growth and innovation.” The government first announced the Technological Free Zone (zona livre tecnológica; ZLT) off Viana do Castelo in 2021 and issued an order for delimitation of the site in October 2023 The purpose of the free zone is to provide a pre-consented area with a grid connection where renewable energy technology can be more easily deployed and tested without incurring all the normal regulatory processes The Viana do Castelo Technological Free Zone covers an area of 7.63 square kilometres and is adjacent to the 25 MW Windfloat Atlantic floating wind farm Projects developed within the zone will be exempt from paying grid access tariffs and other charges related to grid contributions they may be subject to a fee established by the Portuguese Energy Regulatory Authority (ERSE) to partially cover the grid operators’ investment and operation of the connection infrastructure necessary for the operation of the zone The Portuguese government has set a target of having 2 GW of offshore wind capacity installed by 2030 and is working towards holding the country’s first offshore wind tender. At the end of October 2023, the government launched the initial stage of the competitive procedure by issuing a call for expressions of interest (EoIs) including individual companies and consortia from more than ten countries submitted expressions of interest to develop offshore wind projects in Portugal Daily news and in-depth stories in your inbox renewable energy is key to the future of our planet we have over 60 years’ experience and an in-depth understanding of the power and temperature control needs of wind farms We have a dedicated Wind Energy Team whose innovative strategies […] Read today's Portuguese stories delivered to your email Viana do Castelo is accepting competition for a new market at the Prédio Coutinho's location At a base price of 12.6 million euros, the Viana do Castelo City Council has approved the launch of an international public tender for the construction of a new municipal market on the site of the former Coutinho building The new structure will be built on the location where the first market debuted in 1892 The municipal executive revoked the decisions made at the July 2023 council meeting regarding the same procedures before voting on the matter following the opposition parties' voting pattern This was because the public tender that was decided at that time was not “formally initiated since in the meantime it was found necessary to change the project and the economic feasibility study” has proposed to open a public tender for 12,600,161.85 euros which includes building construction and surrounding arrangements The proposal notes that public investment is deemed critical for the municipality based on a cost-benefit analysis of the new municipal market “It is estimated that the annual revenue generated by the project that goes to the municipality is around 21 thousand euros higher than the estimated expenses (…) The document also states that “for every euro of investment there will be an increase in wealth of 1.11 million euros potentially generating a 'positive global or social rate of return' on the investment” We appreciate that not everyone can afford to pay for our services but if you are able to we ask you to support The Portugal News by making a contribution – no matter how small You can change how much you give or cancel your contributions at any time Send us your comments or opinion on this article Reaching over 400,000 people a week with news about Portugal Aurora Halal and Dax J will also play the Portuguese festival this August Neopop festival has announced the first wave of acts performing at its 2025 edition The festival will also welcome the likes of ZenGxrl and Aurora Halal, who will both make their NEOPOP debut, alongside DJs Dax J This edition of NEOPOP will also see a range of live act performances Check out the full first wave of artists performing below art and electronic culture under the theme of ‘Interplanetary Dance Music’ with visuals designed by Lisbon-based collective DubLab Tickets are available now via Neopop’s website Festival passes are available from €105 and Festival Pass Plus starting at €200 Watch Ben Klock live from 2023’s Neopop festival here Tomas Contte (Aviludo-Louletano-Loulé Concelho) won stage 8 at the Volta a Portugal beating Andoni López de Abetxuko (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Rafael Reis (Sabgal-Anicolor) in a sprint in Fafe Contte formed part of a large group on the stage that broke apart on the last climb of the 182.4km stage from Viana do Castelo to Fafe Afonso Eulálio (ABTF Betão-Feirense) has moved into the overall lead with two stages remaining with 21 seconds ahead of Colin Stüssi (Team Vorarlberg) and 55 seconds ahead of Mikel Bizkarra (Euskaltel-Euskadi) Tomas Contte vence na chegada a Fafe! ☝🏻📸 Matias Novo / Podium Events pic.twitter.com/KhJsxDX8mjAugust 2, 2024 Results powered by FirstCycling Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006 Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023 Latest UpdatesCountries Why Join?IL MagazineFree Daily E-LetterVideoOur ExpertsTestimonialsFAQsTopics Living overseas since 2011 Terry and her husband went on a housesitting assignment to Portugal in 2018 and they knew they’d found a place they wanted to call home It’s no secret that Portugal has become one of the most desirable Although relatively small in size compared to its neighbor Spain, Portugal offers a plethora of living options. While some people never look beyond Lisbon, the country’s lively capital, or Porto there are plenty of small-town options just waiting to be called home Discover why we love a slower pace of life Portugal and info on other European countries in our daily postcard e-letter Simply enter your email address below and we’ll send you a FREE REPORT – Explore the Old World in Laidback Portugal with temperatures averaging between 65 F and 75 F while winters bring abundant rain and above-freezing temperatures a summer day in the north may only reach 65 F A typical winter day in the north might be wet you’ll find abundant sunshine and temperatures in the 70s This fortified border town, located at the mouth of the Minho River, was once the site of battles between Spain and Portugal. With a population of around 17,000, Caminha (camin-yah) is part of a municipality divided into fourteen subdivisions called "freguesias." showcases the remains of this medieval wonder The 17th-century clock tower stands proudly atop one of the three original city gates that has survived while the nearby church invites all to step inside with additional amenities and an international airport Portuguese explorers set sail from here to find new worlds the town gained fame for cod fishing and trade offering a plethora of seafood restaurants and the historic Gil Eannes At the heart of the old town lies Praça da República an enchanting plaza flanked by historic buildings like the Igreja da Misericórdia and the former city hall A 16th-century Renaissance fountain stands at its center Foreigners love Viana do Castelo’s authentic Portuguese charm a shopping center with an English-friendly cinema and more make the city a livable option for expats The middle of Portugal is a bit warmer than the north with summer temperatures reaching into the 80s but winters still bring plenty of rain and cold The town of Tomar (tu-mar) was founded in 1159 when the king gifted a former castle to the Knights Templar The castle was converted into the Convento de Cristo a colossal stronghold and home base of the Knights Templar for nearly 700 years The massive complex took over five decades to complete and is perched on top of a hill overlooking the town While most people visit Tomar to see the convent many fall in love with its charms and decide to stay Tomar invites visitors to witness a celebration like none other Known locally as the Festa dos Tabuleiros (or tray festival) women process through the streets carrying five-foot trays on top of their heads that weigh around fifty pounds each Each tray is made of bread loaves and flowers The charming city of 20,000 has both public and private hospitals Just a short distance from the city center are the river beaches of Montes Tomar The town of Caldas da Rainha (cal-dash-d-hain-yah) The city of 30,000 was founded in the 15th century by Queen Leonor when she discovered some locals bathing in a thermal spring along the roadside Her majesty took advantage of the thermal water which healed an unknown affliction of hers she ordered a hospital to be built on the site The bustling Praça da Fruta hosts a daily fresh produce market while the nearby fish market offers local catches Caldas also features a flea market every Monday and is renowned for its ceramics culture and a multi-level shopping center with English-language movies Óbidos (awe-bee-do-ssh) is one of Portugal’s best-preserved medieval towns cobbled streets lead to charming shops selling the famous ginja liqueur served in chocolate cups a well-preserved castle now operates as a luxurious hotel Óbidos hosts diverse festivals throughout the year from medieval fairs to a whimsical Christmas village enjoying the proximity to Caldas da Rainha’s amenities The Alentejo is the rural interior of Portugal it may be hard for new expats to make friends and be fully immersed in the Portuguese culture and language One of the few places in the Alentejo that does see its share of tourists is Évora. The historic center is a living museum where the ancient Roman Temple of Diana dominates the skyline Part of the wall that once enclosed the city still remains like the fortified gate and the timeworn Arab Kasbah the Chapel of Bones coaxes visitors in to read the eerie inscription pelos vossos esperamos”—“we bones that are here await yours.” Because of the influx of tourists English-speaking locals are easy to find in Évora Expats can expect to find apartments to rent or buy within the city while freestanding houses can be found in rural The city of 50,000 boasts private and public hospitals The closest airport to Évora is in Badajoz The ancient city of Beja (bay-jah) is surrounded by a seemingly endless landscape of agricultural fields and countryside In the center of the old town is a medieval castle with its imposing tower Meander through the castle’s medieval walls and feel like royalty it was here that Julius Caesar signed a peace treaty with the Lusitanian tribes to gain control over the land is the heartbeat of Beja for visitors and locals alike Grab a chair at any cafe and order a coffee and pastry or return for dinner under the stars and sip wine with friends until the sun comes up Life in this traditional working city is slow-paced and calm foreigners can expect to find property to buy with land apartment living is the norm for those who wish to live near the center The closest international airport is a 90-minute drive in Faro In the south is the Algarve which boasts the best weather in the country and sunshine galore was founded in 1774 by the Marquis of Pombal Destroyed by a tsunami following the great earthquake of 1755 the town was reconstructed in just two years following the grid-like design of downtown Lisbon this fishing village of 20,000 is situated between the Guadiana River the town glows with holiday decorations and the most colossal Christmas village in the country The massive design features more than 5,600 figures filling a 2,500-square-foot space in the cultural center babbling brooks run through miniature villages and sounds of people and animals fill the air The town has a private health clinic for medical and dental services Nearby beaches include both river and ocean options and the Spanish border is easily accessible The city of Faro is less than an hour’s drive away In the western Algarve, Lagos (lah-gush) sits along the banks of the Bensafrim River The venerable 17th-century fort that once protected the port stands as a reminder of days gone by The city of 19,000 is a favorite among expats and visitors The golden sands of Praia da Batata (Potato Beach) lure visitors to dip their toes in the water The beach is sheltered from large Atlantic waves A short jaunt from the town center is Ponta da Piedade a dramatic headland of towering limestone cliffs Expats in Lagos enjoy access to both public and private hospitals and numerous smaller shops and restaurants The town has a large international expat community and Faro International Airport is just an hour away Stroll across the picturesque Roman Bridge that spans the slow-moving River Gilão and cherish the view and the sound of a violinist playing nearby set a romantic scene Expats are drawn to Tavira for its authentic charm with modern conveniences like the Gran Plaza shopping center and easy access to the beaches of Tavira Island The nearby cities of Faro and Loulé provide additional healthcare options including private hospitals and specialized clinics Portugal’s small towns offer an affordable high-quality lifestyle with modern conveniences there’s a perfect Portuguese town waiting for you The policy implications of this election will impact your retirement funds you can live comfortably on a budget from $2,000-$3,800 a month (all-in—housing and extras included) Home » Portuguese Navy Orders Six New Viana do Castelo-class OPVs as it “materializes the vision of a comprehensive Navy with the capacity to protect and promote Portuguese national interests in and from the sea.” The new OPVs will have a length of 83 m They will complement the existing four units of the Viana do Castelo-class operated by the Portuguese Navy These vessels were built at the Viana do Castelo shipyards and are designed for long-range maritime surveillance and patrol missions NRP Viana do Castelo and NRP Figueira da Foz It has been announced that the following two units will be named NRP Funchal and NRP Aveiro expected to be delivered between 2027 and 2030 will have a modular and adaptive design with both patrol and combat functions They will be armed with a 30 or 40mm Oto Melara Marlin canon (instead of the 40mm L/60 turreted gun that the third and fourth units have) and two 12.7mm remote weapon stations, two launching systems for Mk55 Mod 2 mines, a Sagem SA Vigy 10 Mk III naval surveillance and observation platforms, and will be able to accommodate a Super Lynx Mk95 light helicopter. Aside from the traditional surveillance and maritime patrol functions, Admiral Gouveia e Melo said the vessels will also be fitted to perform anti-submarine and mine warfare, and could eventually be used as auxiliary ships for combating maritime pollution. “With the signing of the contract for the construction of Oceanic Patrol Vessels, the country takes a very important step towards strengthening the capacity of the Armed Forces to fulfill their missions.” According to Costa, the construction of the vessels represents an important step in the modernization of the Portuguese Navy, and will also help strengthen its naval industry.” Naval News brings you news coverage of the latest naval defense shows & events. We are also reporting on naval technology from all over the world. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Reigning TrialGP king Toni Bou and women’s front-runner Berta Abellan proved unstoppable across both days of the 2025 TrialGP of Portugal, tightening their grip on the championship leads at round two of the Hertz FIM Trial World Championship. With a brutal, rock-strewn course in Viana do Castelo dishing out plenty of challenges, the Spanish duo rose to the top—Bou doing the double in TrialGP and Abellan trading wins with Italy’s Andrea Sofia Rabino to leave Portugal with a bigger points buffer. Bou’s opening-day win came the hard way. With rain leading up to the event leaving the steep hillside slick and treacherous, the 38-year-old Montesa legend found his flow from section five onward, pulling clear despite a late five to take a five-mark win over Jaime Busto. Italy’s Matteo Grattarola grabbed third on a tiebreak ahead of Gabriel Marcelli. In the second race of the day, Bou again had the edge early but was pushed hard by Busto. A costly maximum on section eleven brought the fight alive, but Busto’s own mistake on the final section handed Bou a slightly flattering six-mark win. “The second race was more difficult,” Bou admitted. “I am super-happy with both victories as they are very important for the championship.” Sunday brought drier conditions, and the pace ramped up. Bou was pushed in the opening race, eventually tying on score with Busto but getting the nod on tiebreak. Then, in Race Two, he laid down a masterclass—just six marks dropped across the course with only one section requiring more than a dab. “It’s been great for us and the mood is very good in the team,” Bou said after extending his series lead to a commanding 22 points. Grattarola pushed through to finish second in the final race, three ahead of Busto with Marcelli just behind. A clean final section from Britain’s Jack Peace earned him fifth, continuing an impressive debut season. Berta Abellan came into Portugal with just four points over Rabino and left with breathing room. Saturday didn’t start her way—Rabino was untouchable in the first race with a tidy nine-mark ride to finish two ahead of the Spaniard—but Abellan bounced back with a commanding win in the second, finishing eight clear of her Italian rival. “I didn’t start too well,” Abellan said. “My body positioning and throttle control were not right, but the second race went much better and I felt very good on the bike.” Sunday’s opener was a repeat of their ongoing tug-of-war. Both finished on 18 marks, but Rabino won the tiebreak. Abellan responded with her best ride of the weekend in Race Two, cruising to victory with just seven marks lost, while Rabino slipped to fifteen. “The first race was not so good, but I’m very happy to win the second,” she said. “Portugal has been good – I’ve really enjoyed it.” Both days wrapped up with the high-stakes, high-speed Power Section, offering bonus points and plenty of spectacle. Bou snatched the win on Saturday in 25.81 seconds, ahead of Busto and Grattarola. But on Sunday, it all went sideways—the champ caught his sump on the wooden crates and failed to finish, handing top honours to Busto. In the women’s Power Section, Abellan clocked Saturday’s fastest time (25.01) to extend her lead, but Sunday belonged to France’s Naomi Monnier, who blazed through in 20.65 ahead of Kaytlyn Adshead and Alice Minta. After a quiet showing in Spain, Harry Hemingway turned it on in Portugal. Second to Miquel Gelabert on Saturday, Hemingway came out swinging on Sunday, matching Billy Green in Race Two and taking the overall win on tiebreak—his first career victory and enough to hand him the series lead. “It’s been an amazing weekend,” Hemingway said. “I’ve learnt a lot and it’s a great feeling to get that first win under my belt.” Gelabert was dominant in Saturday’s second race, dropping just five marks on the new RTL Electric to beat George Hemingway by eight. “After last weekend, I was not pleased with myself, so today’s results have been great,” he said. With the tightest field of all, Trial2 saw names like Jack Dance, Harry Turner, and Sondre Haga all in the mix, with podiums often coming down to tiebreaks. Green, meanwhile, was always in the hunt, finishing third on Saturday and second in the final race. American newcomer Ryon Land continues to turn heads in Trial3. The teenager won both overall days in Portugal, going two-from-two in the points-scoring races and moving to the top of the standings. “I feel like my dreams are coming true,” he said. “My first race was amazing so I went into Race Two full of confidence.” His closest challengers were Norway’s Jonas Jorgensen and Japan’s Jin Kuroyama, who kept the heat on with podiums across the weekend. A pair of fourths from Britain’s Harison Skelton kept him in the title chase too. With no single rider able to dominate, Trial2 Women remains a scrap. Norway’s Wilde Moi edged Britain’s Sophie Bailey on Saturday with five-two scores to Bailey’s four-three. Italy’s Sara Trentini built on her championship lead despite a tough second race, and Spain’s Daniela Hernando stormed to victory on Sunday. After two tough rounds of back-to-back races in Portugal, the 2025 TrialGP season heads deeper into Europe with Bou and Abellan firmly in charge—but with the tight margins across every class, nothing is set in stone just yet. Reporting by Valerie Volcovici and Simon Jessop in New York; Additional reporting by Laila Kearney Valerie Volcovici covers U.S. climate and energy policy from Washington, DC. She is focused on climate and environmental regulations at federal agencies and in Congress and how the energy transition is transforming the United States. Other areas of coverage include her award-winning reporting plastic pollution and the ins and outs of global climate diplomacy and United Nations climate negotiations. Miquel Gelabert has written his name into the history books delivering the first-ever world championship victory for an electric Honda motorcycle Riding the innovative Honda Montesa RTL Electric the Spaniard stormed to a landmark T2-class race victory at round two of the 2025 TrialGP World Championship in Viana do Castelo Following a challenging season opener in Málaga where both rider and team were still adapting to the new bike Gelabert arrived at round two determined to take a step forward Saturday’s first race saw him ride solidly keeping penalties low and finishing second overall with just 10 marks lost But it was in Race 2 where the 26-year-old truly made history With the RTL Electric performing flawlessly beneath him Gelabert strung together four consecutive cleans mid-race and surged into the lead during the final stages He kept his composure under pressure and finished the day with only five penalty points securing the first world-level victory for an electric Honda Montesa machine “It’s incredible to win after the opening weekend in Málaga “The team did an incredible job to achieve this result I was able to really enjoy my riding and felt strong Now it’s time to focus on tomorrow’s races Team manager Carles Barneda echoed that excitement we saw where we needed to improve and worked very hard to get here Miquel is increasingly confident with the bike; he showed it today and I’m very satisfied with the team’s work I want to thank Honda and HRC for their support and trust in the team.” Portugal’s Council of Ministers has confirmed it has approved the country’s Offshore Renewable Energy Allocation Plan (PAER) The legislation is expected to serve as a basis for the development of Portugal’s offshore renewable energy sector primarily the development of commercial-scale offshore windfarms which was built off the coast of Viana do Castelo and commissioned in 2020 The PAER identifies areas with the highest potential for offshore renewable energy to enable the country to install 2 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 driving the energy transition in Portugal and the decarboniaation of the economy It aims to promote energy security and independence and foster the development of the blue economy while protecting marine ecosystems Approval of the PAER is a significant step towards an initial round of auctions for offshore wind capacity the Council of Ministers said the PAER will “organize and identify areas of the national maritime space… that have potential for the commercial exploitation of renewable energy.” A public consultation on the PAER was launched in October 2023 focusing on six potential areas for offshore wind The statement from the Council of Ministers did not identify which areas have been selected for initial auctions for offshore wind capacity Riviera’s Offshore Wind Journal Conference will be held in London, 3 February 2025. Click here to register for this industry-leading event Seven districts in mainland Portugal will be under an orange warning today due to the forecast of strong sea agitation, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) Leiria and Lisbon will be under an orange warning between 12pm today and midnight on Saturday The institute predicts "waves from the west/northwest measuring five to six metres potentially reaching ten metres in maximum height." These seven districts then move to a yellow warning also due to the forecast of strong sea agitation Vila Real and Viseu will also be under a yellow warning from 12pm today others due to the forecast of periods of rain The National Maritime Authority (AMN) and the Navy warned on Thursday of “a considerable worsening” of weather conditions and rough seas in the north of mainland Portugal from midnight on Friday until midday on Saturday For Saturday, the IPMA informs that all districts on the Portuguese coast will be under a yellow warning due to the forecast of rough seas Beja and Faro will remain under yellow warning until midnight on Sunday Strong winds are still forecast on the west coast and in the highlands IPMA also predicts the possibility of thunderstorms in the north and central regions from the afternoon onwards It also predicts a small rise in the minimum temperature and a small fall in the maximum temperature DS Smith has invested more than €50 million euros in its packaging facilities in Portugal in response to a growing demand for sustainable fibre-based packaging solutions which has taken place over the last three years underline our company-wide commitment to strategic priorities around innovation with a key focus on optimizing service capabilities for customers in the Iberian region  The investments are intended to streamline the upgrading of technology and renewable energy solutions These include the acquisition of two top-of-the-range fluting machines for our packaging facilities in Oporto and Leiria packaging facilities and we have upgraded a corrugator unit for optimal performance at our packaging facility in Lisbon with the installation of a 2,800mm (approximately 9.19 ft) wide Dry End.  “We have also invested in a large processing machine that is specifically intended for the heavy-duty marketplace and for corrugated cardboard solutions that are robust enough to transport heavy or bulky products for industrial and agricultural sectors” DS Smith customers in the e-commerce sector are benefitting from the upgrading of machinery to produce padded paper envelopes and designers have innovated a sustainable fibre-based alternative solution to plastic-based bubble-wrap “Other investments have been made in renewable energy in Iberia and we have commissioned the installation of solar panels at our packaging facilities in Esmoriz Leiria and Lisbon to produce electricity for our own consumption These measures are anticipated to reduce CO2 emissions by 34% a year” The DS Smith Packaging Division in Portugal has six factories that are in Guilhabreu The company has two recycling mills in Oporto and Figueira da Foz and a kraft paper mill in Viana do Castelo €145 million euros was invested in Viana do Castelo as a part of a multi-year development programme “The company has been investing in its operations globally and our country is no exception” “This significant investment in the packaging plants in Portugal reflects our commitment to promoting technological and product innovation locally and to contributing to the evolution of our units The new resources allow us to increase the diversity of our offer as well as our differentiation in the marketplace and optimized packaging solutions for the entire supply chain our commitment to providing modern and efficient equipment supports our response to our customers’ evolving needs as we work with them to replace plastic and reduce carbon emissions for the Circular Economy We are focused on making a meaningful contribution to the long-term economic and social development of our local communities” a leading full-service packaging solutions supplier for the world’s biggest beauty SPM International announces Bill Partipilo as the new CEO of SPM Instrument boxboard production in Q1 2025 fell 1% compared to Q1 2024 Smurfit Westrock plc announced it will permanently close its coated recycled board (CRB) mill in.. Valmet will deliver a disc filter refurbishment and reinstallation to Holmen Paper’s Braviken Paper Mill.. By Belinda Kelly According to new research Nordic Paper has today decided to approve environmental investments of up to SEK 450 million.. Together with its Turkish partner company Labtek the German testing equipment manufacturer emtec Electronic will.. Mondi has successfully started up its Duino mill This milestone further strengthens Mondi’s position as.. Gulf Paper Manufacturing and Toscotec started up PM2 after a forming section upgrade at their.. Södra delivered a stable result for the first quarter of 2025 VPK Group announces the acquisition of Open Imballaggi a well-established sheet plant specializing in corrugated.. a leading full-line supplier of technologies and services for the paper industry Amcor and Berry Global Group recently announced the European Commission (EC) has granted unconditional approval.. Stora Enso plans to implement a new organisation with seven P&L responsible business areas reflecting.. Georgia-Pacific’s Savannah River mill in Rincon now accepts polyethylene (PE)-coated paper cups in its.. a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water-intensive industries announces that it has invested in Kinki Danboru a privately-owned business located in Zellwood a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions SCA Logistics terminal in Sundsvall has invested in a new knuckle boom crane John Hardwick Twitter Facebook Property prices in Portugal have increased by 10% in November compared to the same month of the previous year and 2.3% in terms of quarterly variation.  Purchasing a house in Portugal now has a median cost of 2,783 euros per square meter (euros/m2) at the end of November Prices of houses for sale have risen over the last year in the 20 district capitals Ponta Delgada (18.2%) and Leiria (17%) leading the list The list of rising housing costs continues with Évora (15.1%) Lisbon continues to be the city where it is most expensive to buy a house: 5,685 euros/m2 Porto (3,692 euros/m2) and Funchal (3,505 euros/m2) occupy second and third place Viseu (1,564 euros/m2) and Vila Real (1,365 euros/m2) The most economical cities to purchase housing are Portalegre (825 euros/m2) Beja (1,043 euros/m2) and Santarém (1,335 euros/m2) Several districts on the mainland will remain under yellow and orange warnings today due to rain strong sea waves and snowfall and at least until Saturday according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) Coimbra and Braga have been under a yellow warning from 06:00 am today and will run until 06:00 am on Saturday due to the forecast of sometimes heavy showers which may occasionally be in the form of hail and accompanied by thunderstorms The IPMA also placed the districts of Porto Coimbra and Braga under yellow warning until 12:00 pm on Saturday due to southwest winds with gusts of up to 80 kilometers per hour (km/h) The forecast of rough seas led the IPMA to issue an orange warning for the districts of Porto Coimbra and Braga between 00:00 on Saturday and 00:00 on Sunday The IPMA has also placed the districts of Faro Setúbal and Beja on lockdown until 6:00 am on Sunday due to rough seas 17 maritime bars on the mainland are closed to all navigation and those in Aveiro Viana do Castelo and Portimão are subject to restrictions according to the National Maritime Authority The districts of Castelo Branco and Guarda are also under orange warning due to snowfall above 1,200 to 1,400 meters between 6:00 pm today and 12:00 pm on Saturday The orange warning is issued by IPMA whenever there is a moderate to high risk meteorological situation and the yellow warning when there is a risk situation for certain activities dependent on the meteorological situation caused thousands of incidents on the Portuguese mainland when orange weather warnings were in effect vehicles and energy and water services were affected particularly in the regions of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo Viana do Castelo Class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) are constructed for the Portuguese Navy Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo (ENVC) and West Sea Shipyards Built by Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo (ENVC) and West Sea Shipyards the OPVs are primarily used for operations in the North Atlantic Ocean The vessels can be deployed in maritime patrol and surveillance environmental protection and prevention of drug trafficking The OPVs are named after the coastal cities of Portugal was launched in October 2005 and commissioned in March 2011 was introduced by ENVC in October 2005 and enlisted in June 2013 Portugal signed an $84m contract with the CWSE-NPO consortium comprising West Sea and Thales subsidiary EDISOFT for the construction of additional vessels in July 2015 The construction programme of the third OPV as well as three more vessels in the class was announced in 2016 The Sines OPV was launched by West Sea Shipyards in May 2017 with commissioning scheduled for June 2018 were under construction at West Sea Shipyards The Setubal OPV was scheduled to be delivered to the Portuguese Navy by December 2018 The OPV features a mono-hull design incorporating an integrated platform management system (IPMS), navigation The vessels can support the operations of unmanned systems and are installed with a Sagem SA Vigy 10 MKIII naval surveillance and observation system three water cannons and two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) Anti-pollution variants are fitted with fat oil recovery systems to collect and transfer pollutants spilt in the ocean The on-board storage tanks allow for the storage and heating of collected contaminated materials to extract pollutants Each vessel can accommodate a total of 42 personnel The OPV is armed with a 30mm Oto Melara Marlin gun and two 7.62 mm light machine gun mounts It is also installed with two launching systems for laying MK55 Mod 2 mines The 30mm main gun has 120 rounds a minute maximum rate of fire and can engage surface targets within a range of 6,000m as well as aerial targets within 4,000m The OPVs are equipped with a flight deck at the stern of the hull The deck can support the operation of a single medium-sized helicopter The OPVs are powered by diesel-electric propulsion integrating two Wartsila diesel engines and two electric motors that drive two five-bladed Each diesel engine develops a power output of 3,900kW while each motor develops a maximum power of 200kW The propulsion system will provide a maximum speed of 20k and range of 5,000nmi at an economical speed of 15k Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network