The APB presents the STP dry dock model to Minorcan government delegation

The APB presents the STP dry dock model to Minorcan government delegation

Palma

29/03/2017

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) this morning led a Minorcan government delegation on a visit to the dry dock facilities run by the company Servicios Técnicos Portuarios (STP) at the Port of Palma. The purpose of the visit is to demonstrate that the vessel repair and maintenance service model implemented by the Minorcan nautical sector in Palma can be successfully rolled out at the Port of Mahon.

The visit was attended by the Mayoress of Mahon, Conxa Juanola; the Mayor of Es Castell, Lluís Camps; the Minister of Labour, Trade and Industry, Iago Neguereuela; the Minister of Land and Tourism Planning of the Minorca Island Council, Susana Mora; the Chairman of ASMEN, Justo Saura, the Director of the Centre de la Mar, José María Cardona, as well as the President and Director of GOB, Jaume Obrador and Miguel Camps, respectively, among others.

Engaging in this industrial activity is one of the commitments undertaken and outlined in the Port of Mahon's Plan of Action, which promotes the APB alongside the councils of Mahon and Es Castell. The President of the APB, Joan Gual de Torrella, believes that this management model facilitates engagement and fosters competitiveness among companies, and provides job opportunities for a constantly growing local market.

One of STP's keys to success, according to its managing director, José María Campuzano, is the open nature of the model allowing 500 registered and certified companies to offer their services to shipowners and compete among themselves. This secures greater performance and quality of work.

The Minister of Labour, Trade and Industry, Iago Negueruela, pointed out that the Government of the Balearic Islands is committed to implementing dual vocational training with close collaboration from the companies and that the sailing sector will be first to witness this type of two-pronged training offered to young people.

The Mayoress of Mahon, Conxa Juanola, believes that "differences of dimensions aside", this investment could enable the Port of Mahon to recover the activity it once had whilst respecting the environment, a "fundamental issue for us" - she highlighted.

The ports managed by the APB are benchmarks in terms of repair and maintenance services of vessels in the west of the Mediterranean. There have been 145,000 m2 of the port area allocated to this activity, half at the Port of Palma. They are able to offer comprehensive, modern and premium services to vessels measuring up to 120 metres in length. It is estimated that the sector will provide jobs to 2,300 qualified and multilingual professionals and will have an annual economic yield of 452 million euros.