Car Transport - Azores
The truth is that you can ship your car anywhere in the world. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that you could ship a personal car to the moon if you were willing to pay enough money. Car transport to the Azores is not quite as bad, but close.
The Azores are a chain of islands belonging to Portugal. Although many people think the islands are close to the European mainland, they are actually some 950 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean. The islands have become a popular tourist destination in recent years because of the good fishing and a certain timeless atmosphere. The isolated location adds to the charm, but creates a transportation nightmare for a person who needs to transport their personal automobile to the islands. Car transport to the Azores is not impossible, but it is also not easy nor is it inexpensive.
Tourists are discouraged from bringing personal autos to the Azores for non-permanent visits. Inter-island transport is almost non-existent. Rental cars and public transportation is the major way tourists have of getting around the islands. It is really the small size and population, the very things that attract tourists that make car transport to the Azores so difficult. There are just not very many people moving or leaving the islands and this lack of transit population does not encourage international shipping companies to schedule regular stops there.
So, this does not help much if you really need to bring a car there regardless of your reasons for doing so. There are really three different solutions. One is to arrange transport via Portugal. Since the islands belong to this country, it is more likely that you will be able to find transport from there than from other ports.
It is important to remember also that just about any cargo ship can carry an automobile. It is not necessary that the ship be specifically in the business of transporting vehicles. Cargo is, after all, cargo. Although this might involve a bit of searching, arranging the shipment of a vehicle as well as other personal goods could be arranged on a regular cargo ship making stops at the Azores. More than likely, most international shipping companies can give you some help in finding such a carrier.
The final solution is just to suck it up and pay the price. The rule of thumb for most companies engaged in car transport internationally, will transport your vehicle anywhere you need it for the right price. Seeking quotes from the companies, as you would with any other more common destination is the way to proceed with this search. It is most likely that the company will utilize the above mentioned method and arrange the transport on a regular cargo ship. The advantage of using the transport company, however, will be that they will understand the customs and insurance regulations more thoroughly.