Portugal will contest claims worth around 500 million euros made by motorway concessionaires seeking compensation for traffic losses during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to ECO News.

Speaking at an industry event, João Caetano, president of the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT), said the government had concluded that concessionaires were not entitled to financial rebalancing of their contracts because their operational and financial capacity had not been significantly affected.

He also argued that operators later benefited from high inflation, which increased toll revenues.

Arbitration proceedings are ongoing, and Caetano said the state would appeal any decisions that rule in favour of the concessionaires.

Operators challenge the government’s position

Brisa chief executive António Pires de Lima disputed the government’s stance, arguing that motorway operators should be compensated for losses caused by mobility restrictions introduced during the pandemic.

He also criticised the state’s decision to appeal arbitration rulings, saying it had created uncertainty over both the timing and outcome of the cases.

If the state ultimately loses, any contractual rebalancing would be carried out through an extension of the concession period, according to IMT.

Concession talks continue

Pires de Lima also said negotiations over the Brisa Concessões Rodoviárias contract are expected to reach a stage suitable for political decisions in September or October.

The discussions include road connections to the future Luís de Camões Airport, partial toll exemptions on the A6 and A2 motorways, and the classification of Class 1 toll vehicles.

He added that the renegotiation would not prevent the concession from being put out to tender when it expires in 2035, or potentially in 2037 or 2038.