A convoy of earthmoving and haulage companies is making its way slowly towards Coimbra, and anyone planning a road trip through northern and central Portugal this week may find themselves sharing the motorway with it. The protest, driven by around 100 companies in the civil construction and earthmoving sub-sector, kicked off in the north and is now attracting national attention.

At the heart of the dispute is diesel. Organisers say the price of a litre has jumped from €1.59 on February 27 to €2.22 — a rise of 63 cents that they describe as historic and, for their businesses, unsustainable. These firms say they have been left out of government fuel-price mitigation measures, and they want that corrected.

There is movement on the political side. The office of Miguel Pinto Luz, the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, got in touch to say it was following the protesters' demands closely, and a meeting has now been scheduled for Monday in Lisbon. Miguel Machado Mendes, one of the leading figures behind the action, confirmed the appointment and framed the campaign as a fair fight for the sector. What the companies want, he said, is a genuine hearing of their demands — not much to ask, in their view, given the numbers involved.

Government advice to the sector so far has leaned towards saving fuel by driving more slowly and limiting journeys to essential ones. That is unlikely to satisfy companies watching their operating costs climb by double digits, so eyes will be on Lisbon on Monday for signs of a compromise. Until then, the convoy continues south, generating heavy press coverage along the way.

For travellers, the practical takeaway is straightforward: if you are driving between Porto and Coimbra in the coming days, expect possible slow-downs on major routes and consider checking traffic updates before setting out. Fuel stations along the way may also be busier than usual, and prices at the pump are noticeably higher than they were earlier this year — worth factoring into a road-trip budget. The situation should be resolved or at least clarified after the government meeting, so keep an eye on local news if your route runs through central Portugal.

Source material: SIC Notícias/Lusa