MV Cruzeiro do Canal is a motor-vessel/ferry that is owned by Atlânticoline (previously operated by Transmaçor), that provided daily or irregular ferry service between the islands of Pico, Faial and/or São Jorge, in the archipelago of the Azores throughout the year.

[1] The ship, and its sister-ship, were constructed to replace the lower-capacity launches used until that time, specifically the motor-launches Espalamaca and Calheta, that were decommissioned and sent to the shipyards of Madalena.

[1] In June 2006, during his visit to São Jorge, then-Regional Secretary for Economy (Portuguese: Secretário Regional da Economia) Vasco Cordeiro announced that the government of the Azores would invest 40 million Euros for the purchase of ships to enter into service in the archipelago.

[2] The government wanted to purchase four ships: two smaller vessels to substitute the aging Cruzeiro das Ilhas and Cruzeiro do Canal; of these one would be permanently docked in Velas (to maintain the São Roque-Horta line) and the other in the port of Horta (to secure the vital Horta-Pico route), both ships would have a 40 metres (130 ft) length and capacity for 300 passengers, in addition to space for 15 vehicles.

[2] Owing to the age of the Cruzeiro do Canal and her sister-ship and persistent technical and/or mechanical problems, CDS-PP leader Artur Lima addressed parliament, noting: In fact, after three-and-a-half months of repairs, the Cruzeiro do Canal returned to active service in Christmas 2010, after several tests and certification of navigability from IPTM.