In a statement, CTT stated that the new phase of modernisation at its Algarve facility will now allow for doubling the centre’s item handling capacity, serving a population of nearly half a million, spanning all municipalities in the Algarve and some in the Alentejo region.

The facility currently provides 50 direct jobs and 100 indirect jobs, with an additional 50 jobs expected to be created by the end of the year, according to the company.

"This investment is part of CTT's operational development strategy, strengthening our Iberian component by opening a new operational corridor between the Algarve and Andalusia," said CTT CEO João Bento, quoted in the statement.

The Algoz Operational Centre began operations in April 2022, encompassing approximately 4,500 m2 of infrastructure within a footprint of over 9,000 m2.

According to the statement, the company expects the investment in this new infrastructure to "boost the growth of CTT Expresso's operations, enabling the hiring of more human resources to handle the expected increase in processing and distribution routes."

"The new machine will also reduce processing times, with significant positive impacts on the quality of service provided in all municipalities served by this operational centre," CTT states.

The company has new facilities in Aveiro, Leiria, and Palmela, and "significant" modernizations in Coimbra, Braga, Maia, and Lisbon.

CTT reports that in Spain, new sorters (parcel sorting machines) were installed last year in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, and San Fernando de Henares, Spain.

CTT indicates that the company's current infrastructure includes 73 operational centres in the Iberian Peninsula, 30 of which are fully automated, and 17 of which serve both countries, processing more than 500,000 items per day, with full Iberian coverage.