Lisbon’s Oceanarium has been offloaded by the Portuguese government under a €24 million concession deal, Lusa news agency reported as we went to press on Wednesday (June 24).
The tender for the concession rights was reportedly won by Sociedade Francisco Manuel dos Santos (SFMS) – the largest shareholder of the Jerónimo Martins group, which owns the Pingo Doce supermarket chain.
A source linked to the deal told Lusa that the concession is valid for 30 years.
However, the government can “buy back” the Oceanarium at anytime during the first 10 years alleging “public interest”.
SMFS will also have to pay an annual rent to the government, the source said.
The deal is expected to be approved soon by the Council of Ministers.
