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The APB announces the DEL PAPER AL CEL (from paper to the sky) drawing competition for the Christmas lighting of the Port of Palma for next Christmas

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) announces the DEL PAPER AL CEL drawing competition, with which it intends to encourage the participation of the general public in the creation of the Christmas lights that will adorn the port of Palma next Christmas. The winning design will be transformed into LED lights that will be suspended on the Old Quay in front of the APB's main offices.

The competition is aimed at children and young people living in the Balearic Islands aged between 5 and 15, who must submit their creations until 14th September via the website set up for this purpose at noupasseigmaritimdepalma.portsdebalears.com, where the rules of the competition can be found.

The motifs of the drawing must be inspired by Christmas, the sea or the port environment. They can be characters, figures, objects or abstract ideas that are original and full of enthusiasm, that convey everything that the participants imagine when they think of Christmas.

At the end of the submission period, five finalist drawings will be chosen and published on the same website on 15 September. After this date, a public voting period will commence - also via the same portal - until 22 September.

The winner will see their talent recognised with the physical production of their design in a score of LED light structures, which will form part of the Christmas lighting on the seafront promenade. The winner will also be invited to the official Christmas lights switch-on ceremony to be held in the port of Palma on 22 November.

Lights over the Seafront

The APB, coinciding with the year of commissioning of Palma’s new Seafront Promenade (Paseo Maritimo), will light up this port-city area with Christmas motifs for the first time.

The areas that will have Christmas decorations for the first time will be the administrative and institutional headquarters (Port Centre) of the APB, the Old Quay, the royal steps of the Lonja Quay, the San Telmo gardens, San Magín Quay, Santo Domingo de la Calzada Square, the Golondrinas Quays, the new children's playground on the Seafront Promenade, as well as the trees from the APB headquarters to San Magín, and the street lamps from San Magín to the Paraires tower.

APB upgrades the Port Police fleet with more sustainable vehicles

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has upgraded part of the Port Police fleet with the incorporation of ten new vehicles, replacing ten others that have been withdrawn from service. This initiative was carried out with a total investment of 545,000 euros and forms part of the APB's commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency.

The new additions are hybrid and electric vehicles. The vans are all-electric, while the off-road cars have a hybrid system and are equipped with a detainee kit for operational tasks.

The vehicles have been allocated to the ports of Palma, Mahón and Ibiza. Palma received five units, Ibiza four and Mahón one. This distribution responds to the operational needs of each port and contributes to reinforcing the presence and capacity for action of the Port Police.

With this renewal, the Port Police fleet now numbers thirty vehicles in total among all the ports managed by the APB. This figure includes motorbikes, passenger cars and vans. It should be noted that the renovation does not imply an increase in the number of vehicles, but rather a qualitative improvement in the resources available.

The APB thus continues to move towards a cleaner and more efficient mobility model, while improving the staff working conditions and heightening the security of the port area.

Port Maó, Horizon 2030: the comprehensive transformation of the port of Mahon gets under way

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (Autoridad Portuaria de Baleares - APB) has taken a decisive step today towards the transformation of the port of Mahon with the presentation of two strategic projects: the future maritime station of Cós Nou and the start of the public participation process for the redevelopment of the south bank. Both actions are part of the ambitious 'Port Mahon, Horizon 2030' plan, which foresees a joint public and private investment of 81 million euros until 2029.

The president of the APB, Javier Sanz, stressed that in addition to the investment, what these projects stand out for is the public participation process which sustains the framework for the port-city improvement, "working with a model of integrated port that is open to the city and thinking of its people".

During the morning, the basic project for the new Cós Nou maritime station was presented to the port's main users, which included security forces, logistics operators, local authorities and other agents of the port community. The proposal, drawn up by UTE Port Mahon—a temporary joint venture formed by Grimalt Nadal Morey Enginyers and Barceló-Balanzó Arquitectes and winner of the public tender called by the APB—is the result of a consensus between institutions, technicians and professionals with a stake in the port’s future.

New maritime station

The new station will replace the current temporary facility, substantially improving convenience and operability for passengers and logistics operators alike. Moreover, its construction paves the way for the consolidation of the port's transformation strategy, which has shifted goods traffic to the Cós Nou in order to free up the passenger quay and thus facilitate its urban integration and its dedication to cruise activity.

Preparatory works have been underway since May 2025, starting with upgrades to the Cós Nou access road, an essential measure to ensure connectivity and the safe transit of heavy vehicles, budgeted at 2.83 million euros.

The overall budget of the project amounts to 21 million euros. The construction project will be delivered in September and the tendering process for the works will follow. The new station is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2027, by which time the port will have a modern, operational infrastructure fully adapted to its current and future needs.

Redevelopment of the south bank

At the same time, APB has announced the start of the public participation process to design the redevelopment of the south bank of the port of Mahon, comprised of the section between Colàrsega and Cala Figuera. This intervention aims to radically transform the seafront, creating a more attractive, accessible and sustainable urban environment. The process, which will begin in September and conclude at the end of the year, will be led by the NEARCO consultancy firm, with experience in similar processes in Mahon and other port cities.

The aim of this process is to listen, gather proposals and build consensus with the different stakeholders, from local residents and traders to public institutions, professionals and citizens' groups. The conclusions obtained will be directly incorporated into the design of the preliminary project, guaranteeing a shared solution adapted to the region's real needs.

The redesign of the south bank seeks to regain pedestrian space, reduce the prominence of road traffic and promote friendlier mobility, including a new bicycle lane and an electric public transport system that will connect the future Cala Figuera car park to the Cós Nou maritime station. It is also planned to expand the green space, incorporate quality street furniture and create new recreational areas designed for active and continuous use throughout the year.

With these actions, APB reaffirms its commitment to an inclusive, sustainable and people-centred urban transformation. The port of Mahon is thus preparing to become better integrated into the city, more accessible to all and aligned with the values of social cohesion, environmental sustainability and economic development.

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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.

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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...