A strategic Portuguese port is in the sights of the American army

The port of Setúbal is the favorite of the Americans in Western Europe for transporting military materials between America and Europe. Several shipments are scheduled for 2024.

For the first time, a Portuguese port has been used to transport American military equipment from Europe to the United States. This operation is part of the Pentagon’s strategy to diversify the options for transporting military equipment between the two continents.

In December, a cargo of around 500 pieces of American military equipment passed through the port of Setúbal, returning to the United States after being in Estonia.

The equipment transported, including tactical vehicles and trucks, was initially moved to Poland, before being used in Estonia as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which began in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. This mobilization was a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and an effort to strengthen the security of NATO members.

According to the Setúbal and Sesimbra Port Authority (APSS), the cargo consisted mainly of multi-purpose military vehicles. APSS revealed that more shipments are planned for this year, although the dates have not yet been set, according to Jornal de Negócios.

This operation marked the US army’s first initiative to use the port of Setúbal, chosen for its logistical efficiency and rail access. APSS pointed out that the port is fully equipped to handle special cargo, without the need for additional measures.

The value of the contract for this transportation was not disclosed, as the operation was managed by the port’s concessionaire. The American military newspaper “Stars and Stripes” even reports that the port of Setúbal is the westernmost port used by the American army in Europe.

This effort reflects the US strategy of increasing the number of ports capable of supporting military deployments, a policy that gained momentum after a similar operation in Denmark in 2021.