Ports de balears

News

The APB promotes the electrification of docks in the ports of Palma, Ibiza and Mahon with new medium voltage OPS systems

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has contracted the installation of four new OPS (Onshore Power Supply) systems - also known as cold ironing - in the ports of Palma, Ibiza and Mahon for nearly ten million euros. These elements of infrastructure will allow ships to connect to the shore-side electricity grid during their stay in port, eliminating the need to keep their auxiliary engines running and thereby reducing polluting emissions and noise pollution in nearby urban areas.

The president of the APB, Javier Sanz, already highlighted at the time "the determined push" being made by the port body in the electrification of the docks, which has a direct effect on the process of decarbonisation of port operations and, therefore, on "environmental sustainability", but also "on the well-being of the port's residents, who are going to notice a reduction in noise during ship layovers in the port".

In the port of Palma, where the first low and medium voltage OPS point for ferries and fast-ferries is already in operation on the West quays, the installation of a second medium voltage system with a power of 1,600 kW has recently been awarded, located on the Commercial quays. This new infrastructure will allow the connection of ferries operating on a regular line, thus extending the coverage of the current system and reinforcing the process of decarbonisation of port operations.

The company awarded the contract was Sampol for 2.4 million euros, which has already implemented the first OPS in the same port.

New points in Ibiza and Mahon

In the port of Ibiza, two medium-voltage OPS systems will also be installed, with a power output of 1,600 kW each, located on the Botafoc quays, allowing two ships to be connected simultaneously. This double connection will increase operational efficiency and substantially reduce atmospheric emissions and noise generated in the port environment, in line with the strategy of sustainability and improvement of port-city integration.

The contract has also been awarded to Sampol, for a works budget of 4.69 million euros.

Meanwhile, in the port of Mahon, a contract has been awarded for the execution of a medium voltage OPS system with a power output of 1,600 kW, which will be located on the Cós Nou quay, allowing the connection of ferries and other vessels. This new supply point is an important step towards a model of cleaner and quieter port operations, especially important for the residents around the port.

The contract was awarded to the joint venture formed by FCC and COMSA for 2.84 million euros.

European co-funding

These actions are part of the APB's firm commitment to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency in its port facilities. The electrification of the docks of the five ports of general interest that it manages (Palma, Alcúdia, Ibiza, Mahon and La Savina) has a total planned investment of approximately 100 million euros until 2030, 40% of which is co-funded by the Next Generation EU funds.

It is estimated that each of the projects can directly provide 15 jobs.

The APB establishes two different navigation channels in the port of La Savina to improve safety when entering and leaving the port

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has established the separation of the navigation channel in La Savina with the aim of increasing the safety and fluidity of maritime traffic entering and leaving the port. This measure, supported by technical studies and real-time testing, aims to reduce the risk of incidents arising from the increasing traffic of ships and recreational craft.

The Board of Management of the APB recently approved an ordinance which will regulate the procedure for entering and leaving the port, which will come into force as soon as it is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE). After that date, any breach may result in penalties.

The new system establishes two navigation channels. A main channelsituated to the northfor all vessels and craft of 24 metres in length and over, or 6 metres in beam, or 2 metres in draught. The secondary channel, located to the south, is reserved for recreational, fishing and other vessels that do not meet the criteria of the main channel.

The APB Chairman, Javier Sanz, stated that in this way the port body "reaffirms its commitment to maritime safety and the optimisation of maritime traffic in the port", stressing "that this separation will contribute to a more efficient and orderly navigation in the port of La Savina"

Beacon signalling

To mark the channels, four yellow buoys numbered 1 to 4 have been deployed in the direction of the entrance to the port and a beacon with red flashes at the end of the jetty where the passenger vessels dock. These marks will serve to demarcate the channels.

Both channels will be two-way and must be navigated in the right half in the forward direction. However, exceptions are provided for when the berthing destination requires it, thereby minimising the time to cross the opposite channel.

Likewise, the maximum speed of vessels or boats during manoeuvres into and out of the port of La Savina will remain limited to 15 or 6 knots, depending on whether they are located to the north or south respectively of the port's outer breakwater.

Restricted anchoring

Furthermore, in order to guarantee safe navigation, it is forbidden to anchor ships, vessels or naval artifacts in both channels without the express authorisation of the APB, except in cases of force majeure or danger to human life at sea.

The obligation to use the separate channels has come into force with the installation of the buoys. However, the system of penalties associated with this regulation will not be applied until the publication of the corresponding port ordinance in the BOE (Official State Gazette).

The APB opens the tender for the mooring management and service provision on the Levante quay in the port of Maó

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) agreed at its recent meeting in the port of Palma to open a public tender for the management and operation, under an administrative concession, of mooring points for pleasure craft, between the Reynés dry dock and the point of Cala Figuera, on the southern shore of the port of Maó.

The aim of the tender is to guarantee the continuity of the services provided to the pleasure craft moored in this area, optimise the use of the public port domain, increase the number of moorings for resident vessels and foster an operating model based on sustainability, innovation and efficiency.

The concession will cover more than 47,000 square metres of the public port area, 46,500 square metres of which are sheltered water surface and 650 square metres are located on land, where a service facility for the marina will be built.

The call for tenders will particularly value proposals that reduce mooring fees, thus favouring economic accessibility for users, especially for smaller vessels. In addition, the bidding rate is set at an exit occupancy fee of around 400,000 euros per year, which can be increased upwards, and an activity fee of 4 percent of the annual turnover.

The concession shall be granted for a maximum of 18 years. The management will include the operation of 135 existing moorings, with the obligation to reserve 8 berths for public service vessels, such as those destined for the Guardia Civil, Maritime Rescue, Customs, etc., 5 for the APB and the provision of 15 additional berths for auxiliary vessels of up to four metres in length.

At the western end of the concession, a service building will be constructed, which will include facilities for the marina and premises ceded to the APB, with a total built area of nearly 1,000 square metres. The building must respect the existing protected frontage and also comply with the highest standards of energy efficiency and sustainability, including certification as a near zero-energy building.

Preference to resident vessels

The future concessionaire must guarantee mooring service to existing resident vessels, respecting their preferential rights in accordance with the conditions established by the APB. It may also propose a redistribution of moorings, provided that it respects the demarcation of the navigation channel and the established technical limitations.

With this initiative, the APB pursues the modernisation and optimisation of the nautical-recreational infrastructures of the port of Maó, in accordance with the Delimitation of Port Areas and Uses and the Special Plan for the port.

Environmental and quality criteria

The tender will prioritise proposals that incorporate renewable energy, efficient waste management systems, water and energy saving measures, and the use of environmentally friendly materials. The inclusion of electric chargers on moorings, the installation of systems to improve marine biodiversity and the adoption of technological innovations in marina management will also be assessed.

Tenders must guarantee the adequate provision of mooring services, water and electricity supply, cleaning, maintenance, surveillance, and access control, as well as the proper management of the waste generated in the facility.

Lighthouses of the Balearic Islands

Ships in Port

Transparency Portal

Air quality

Port Innovation Platform

Economic and social impact

Weather forecast

Navigation aids

Lighthouses of the Balearic Islands

Ships in Port

Transparency Portal

Air quality

Port Innovation Platform

Economic and social impact

Weather forecast

Navigation aids

Interesting links

Annual Report

This publication details the APB’s financial situation, the technical characteristics of its public ports and provides an overview of the institution’s activities.

Notice Boards

Link to the APB’s e-office which features the official notice boards on public information, human resources, public port land, and auctions, as well as other notices.

Sustainability Reports

This report sets out the actions carried out to create value for the APB’s stakeholders, in compliance with its commitment to transparent management.

Costumer Service

The APB has a communication channel for users to request information, make suggestions, and lodge complaints about its ports and lighthouses.

Statistics

These provide a detailed picture about the traffic using the public ports of Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and La Savina.

Financial Statements

Comprehensive information, including the audit report, of the most recent financial statements passed by the APB's Board of Directors, and given a favourable report by the Spanish National Audit Office.

Contact form

To make a complaint or a suggestion, or request information, follow this link

Access

About us

You have entered the Website of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands. This is a virtual space that puts you within reach of all the services provided by the ports of general interest, which are: Alcudia, Ibiza, Mahon, Palma and La Savina...