The exploitation of the port of Funchal was established in year 1756 by royal charter issued by D. José I, in which it gave ‘green light’ to the start of work to build a safe haven. The first loading bay of Funchal came thus to the islet of St. Joseph Fort, work completed in 1762. Only in 1890 the islet of the Fort of Nossa Senhora da Conceição was connected to the first phase, increasing thus the docking area. The pier to the Fort of Our Lady of Conception and road access between Pontinha and Customs, made ​ ​ the urgent need for the establishment of a managing body of the port area. It was in 1913 created the Autonomous Board of Funchal Harbour Works. In May 1933 it completed the construction of the city wet and in 1939 is increased by 317m the berths of the port of Funchal. Reference works from the early XX century were also the various small pier built around the island that facilitated the supply for the population.