According to a statement, the issues concern failures in the execution of all administrative and control tasks necessary for the effective application of European maritime security legislation.

European maritime security legislation establishes security requirements for ships, port facilities and ports, and defines procedures for maritime security inspections.

These measures, Brussels emphasises, are important to strengthen port security against threats of intentional illegal acts and to increase the resilience of critical EU infrastructure.

With the sending of a formal notification letter, Portugal now has two months to respond and correct the deficiencies identified by the Commission.

In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion, the second of three stages in an infringement procedure.