News APB | Ports de Balears

The Mercadal Town Council, in collaboration with the APB, inaugurates the exhibition "Fareras. The light that guides us" at Cavalleria lighthouse

05/06/2025

Mercadal Town Hall, in collaboration with the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), opens next Friday 6th June at 7 p.m. at theCap de Cavalleria Interpretation Centrethe exhibition "Fareras. The light that guides us", an emotive exhibition curated by the film-maker Cristina Rodríguez Paz, which can be visited until 7 September 2025.This installation is presented to the public as part of the activities organised by the APB on the occasion of the first Open Doors Day of the port of Mahón, which was created with the aim of familiarising the general public with the port and to emphasise the social, economic and cultural importance of ports of general interest and maritime signals for the island of Menorca.The place chosen for the exhibition is Cavalleria lighthouse, where Mercadal Town Council has had a collaboration agreement with the APB since 2015 to allocate part of the lighthouse space for educational and cultural purposes where visitors can learn about several aspects of this spectacular setting in the north of Menorca.Women lighthouse keepersThe exhibition, which was already on display last year at the Maritime Museum of Mallorca's headquarters in Sóller, pays tribute to the 26 women who have officially worked as lighthouse keepers in Spain, making their role visible in a profession historically dominated by men. Through a careful selection of historiographical material and contemporary art works, the exhibition offers a unique journey through the life, work and legacy of these exceptional women.The exhibition space is divided into two distinct areas: one devoted to the first women who lived in lighthouses, with graphic documents and texts that reconstruct their experiences, and the other focusing on the protagonists of the documentary "The light that guides us", directed by the curator herself.Today, only four women lighthouse keepers are still active, and their upcoming retirement will mark the end of a period that began to fade away after the passing of the 1992 Ports and Merchant Navy Act, which made this profession practically obsolete."Fareras. The light that guides us" is an opportunity to explore the confluence between art, history and memory, and to pay tribute to those who illuminated our coasts from the anonymity of lighthouses.

Port-city Transport and infrastructure

The Local Police and the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands bring eight charges in a joint operation to counter the occupation of the public thoroughfare on Palma's seafront promenade

03/06/2025

The Palma Local Police, in collaboration with the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, carried out a joint operation to control the occupation of the public thoroughfare by the terraces of the leisure and restaurant establishments on Palma's seafront promenade, Avenida Gabriel Roca.This operation, which took place last weekend, involved four officers from the Port Police of the port of Palma, as well as officers of several units of the Local Police: seven members of the Community Proximity Team (ECOP) and two from the Preventive Action Group (GAP).As a result of this action, eight charges were brought for unauthorised occupation of the public thoroughfare in the port area, one for each offending establishment.Two other charges were also brought on 1 June, in this case in an area under municipal jurisdiction. The two establishments involved did not remove the items from their terraces after closure, leaving them piled up in front of the front of the premises.FinesDepending on the seriousness of the infringement, these offences can result in financial penalties ranging from 100 to 750 euros (minor infringements), from 750.01 to 1,500 euros (serious infringements) and from 1,500.01 to 3,000 euros (very serious infringements).

Socio-economic development

The APB approves the first fire ordinance for marinas and water sports facilities

26/05/2025

The Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) has approved the first ordinance on fire protection and self-protection in marinas and water sports facilities in the public domain of the APB. This is the first regulation of its kind in Spain, and establishes a pioneering regulatory framework to improve safety in these facilities.The regulations have been developed in conjunction with the fire prevention and extinguishing services of the Balearic Islands, including the fire brigades of Palma, Mallorca, Minorca and Formentera. Experience in emergencies in ports and marinas, both at the regional level and in other autonomous communities, has served as a basis for defining safety criteria, procedures and guidelines.The final text of the ordinance was drafted through a participatory process involving various organisations and groups in the sector. Of particular note are the contributions of the Association of Naval Engineers of the Balearic Islands, which collaborated for a year in drafting the regulations, as well as the Association of Marine and Sports Facilities (ANADE) and the Association of Sailing Clubs of the Balearic Islands, which submitted joint proposals incorporated into the final text.Risk factorsThe analysis of the problem highlighted various risk factors, such as the increase in the length of vessels and the incorporation of new interior installations such as galleys, air conditioning systems, electrical mechanisms and other equipment that increase the likelihood of fire. These factors, together with the need for permanent electrical connection and the complexity of maintenance in the marine environment, have resulted in a scenario of greater vulnerability.In addition, interventions of the emergency services in these incidents are particularly complex due to the geometry of marine facilities and installations. The difficulty in detecting and handling emergencies, coupled with the lack of suitable warning measures, delays the response and aggravates the consequences of fires.In view of this situation, the APB has promoted the drafting of this ordinance from a cross-cutting perspective, integrating the particularities of risk in these facilities and guaranteeing the safety of people and property. The regulations will also facilitate the intervention of both internal and external emergency services.This new regulations are set to become a landmark at the national level, setting a precedent for future regulations in the port area in terms of fire prevention and safety.

Transport and infrastructure Socio-economic development

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

20/05/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has contracted the installation of four new OPS(Onshore Power Supply) systems - also known ascold ironing -in the ports of Palma, Ibiza and Mahon fornearly 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 MahonIn 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-fundingThese 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.

Environment and CSR Next Generation UE Technology and innovation Transport and infrastructure

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

16/05/2025

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 signallingTo 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 anchoringFurthermore, 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).

Transport and infrastructure

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

15/05/2025

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 vesselsThe 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 criteriaThe 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.

Environment and CSR Socio-economic development

Tanit Ibiza Port will continue with the management of the moorings in the West dock of the port of Ibiza

28/03/2025

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) resolved, in a meeting held yesterday in Palma, to choose the bid of Tanit Ibiza Port SA, as the most advantageous of those submitted in the public tender for the management of the moorings in the West dock of the port of Ibiza. This company is the current concession holder operating under the trading name of Marina Port Ibiza.The concession involves servicing 94 mooring places for pleasure boats, with a total surface area of more than 20,600 square metres of port public domain area, most of which is occupied by the water surface. The lengths of the boats range from six and a half metres to 60 metres.Most of the moorings, 82 to be precise, are less than 15 metres in length, while a dozen moorings are for vessels between 25 and 60 metres in length. The operating area also includes two floors of a building owned by the APB with an area of just over eighty square metres, used for storage, marina matters and offices of the concession holder.Tanit Ibiza Port is committed to an investment of nearly one million euros in infrastructure and to the annual payment of nearly three million euros in occupancy fees, improvements and four per cent of the turnover for the business activity tax. The concession period is four years with the possibility of a two-year extension.

Socio-economic development

The Port of Palma as a consensus-based strategic axis for urban integration and sustainability

04/12/2024

The future of the Port of Palma took the spotlight at this morning's forum held at the institutional head offices of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), which was organised by Grupo Serra's specialised newspaper, El Económico. Under the slogan “A consensus project for the city, economy, territorial connectivity and industrial competitiveness”, the forum explored the opportunities and challenges arising from restructuring this strategic space, with the project already underway. Bringing together prominent political, business and technical leaders, the event featured keynote speeches that highlighted the port's importance as Palma's economic, social and cultural driving force. The president of the APB, Javier Sanz, delivered a speech in which he outlined how the port of Palma is to be redeveloped, emphasising the port organisation's commitment to sustainability, urban integration and improved economic competitiveness, as well as the consensus achieved in its approach. During his presentation, Sanz highlighted how this project seeks to balance port needs with the creation of accessible spaces for citizens by promoting cultural, educational and recreational activities in the freed-up areas. “We want the Port of Palma to serve as a model of sustainability and connection with the city. This project not only responds to the economic and logistical challenges, but also to the need to build a more people-oriented port, which is available to citizens and respectful of the environment,” said the president of the APB. The Port Authority's objective is to establish the Port of Palma as a global benchmark for innovation, sustainability and competitiveness. To do so, the project includes a reorganisation of port uses, maintaining ferry activity and boosting the nautical industry in the West dock. New urban spaces will also be created for education, culture and sport, which will democratise access to the port. There are also plans to reduce the environmental impact through renewable energies, clean technologies and energy efficiency. Lastly, this project will strengthen the local economy by consolidating key sectors such as maritime transport and ship repair. A forum to discuss the port's future The forum also included presentations and panel discussions attended by political and business representatives and those from educational, cultural and sporting bodies. The president of Puertos del Estado (State Ports), Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, highlighted the strategic role played by the ports as driving forces for sustainable development. The Mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez, also spoke about the need to integrate the port into the city's urban dynamics, promoting its sustainability and connectivity with the surrounding area. The panel discussions tackled key aspects such as logistical efficiency, the nautical industry's opportunities and port-city integration. Experts such as Matteo Catani (GNV), Adolfo Utor (Baleària), Pedro Suasi (Balearic Marine Cluster) and Albert Forés (Museu Marítim de Mallorca) contributed valuable perspectives on the future of the Port of Palma. A consensus-based project focused on the future The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands conducted a participatory process to define the future of the Port of Palma, where over 65 interest groups put forward their needs and suggestions and reached widespread consensus that reinforces its viability and social acceptance. The project to redevelop the Port of Palma has become a driving force for transformation that strengthens the city's cultural identity, boosts innovation and meets the sustainability objectives established at local, national and European level. The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands once again confirms its commitment to this vision, promoting an intelligent, sustainable and well-integrated port that adds value to the city, its citizens and the natural environment. To close the forum, APB director Toni Ginard summarised the most important aspects discussed by the participants and noted that the word ‘consensus’ was the most frequently heard word throughout the day. “This project represents our shared responsibility to convert the Port of Palma into a benchmark, where sustainability, integration and progress work together harmoniously and benefit everyone,” he concluded.

Port-city Transport and infrastructure Socio-economic development

La Lonja Marina Charter wins the tender to manage the moorings at the Lonja quay in the Port of Palma

27/11/2024

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) reached an agreement at its latest session held last week in Palma to select the company La Lonja Marina Charter to manage the moorings at the Lonja quay in the Port of Palma. The nautical facility will only serve Spanish vessels on the sixth list or foreign vessels exclusively for charter or rental. The Lonja Marina Charter emerged as the most competitive solution of all the bids submitted in the tender to manage an area of over 18,000 square metres of public port space in one of the Port of Palma's most historic areas. The concessionaire will invest around €3.5 million for an eight-year tenure and will contribute an annual amount of more than €1.6 million in occupancy and activity fees. Environmental improvements La Lonja Marina Charter has managed this nautical facility since 2009 and is now committed to refurbishing and upgrading existing quays and pontoons, as well as installing office, workshop and storage units. Highlights of the project include the environmental improvements committed to minimising water and electricity consumption, cleaning the water surface, improving marine biodiversity, as well as installing solar pergolas to produce almost 220,000 kilowatt hours per year.

Transport and infrastructure

The APB raises the barrier on the Marina promenade of the Port of Ibiza on 1 December for the entire winter

27/11/2024

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) will raise the access barrier to the Marina promenade in the Port of Ibiza on 1 December to allow road traffic to pass through. With this, the APB upholds its agreement with the Ibiza Town Council to boost mobility and facilitate parking during the winter months. This is the same initiative that was very successful last year. Car parking on the Marina promenade will continue to be allowed 24 hours a day, although there will be a two-hour limit between 8 am and 10 pm in order to encourage vehicle rotation. Motorists will be required to place a piece of paper in a visible place in the car with the start time of the parking period. The spaces reserved for loading and unloading will also be kept to support commercial activity in the area. By repeating this initiative, the APB and Ibiza Town Council have responded to the positive response from citizens, local residents and shopkeepers. It is also a sign of their collaboration to facilitate mobility and offer greater comfort during the winter months.

Port-city

The APB puts the restaurant at Menorca’s Artrutx lighthouse in Menorca up for public tender for 15 years

21/11/2024

At its last meeting, held yesterday in the port of Palma, the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) approved, the specifications and clauses governing the public tender for the management of an establishment providing tourism services in the Artrutx lighthouse (Menorca). This time, the administrative concession will be for a maximum of 15 years. The Artrutx lighthouse restaurant opened its doors in 2009, the only lighthouse in Menorca and just the second in the whole of the Balearic Islands to provide such a service, together with the one at Formentor (Mallorca). Ever since it opened, it has been managed by the granting of short term authorisations. The purpose of this tender is to choose the best solution for the granting of a concession for the exploitation of several spaces, including several rooms in the lighthouse building, the lighthouse keeper’s house, a warehouse and annexes, as well as its terraces. The annual amount of the occupancy fee will be 22,144 euros and an activity fee of 4% of turnover has been established.

Transport and infrastructure

The management of the Botafoc moorings in the port of Eivissa is put out to tender

21/11/2024

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) agreed at the meeting held yesterday afternoon in the port of Palma to approve the specifications and clauses that will govern the public tender for the administrative management of mooring places, the service station, the dry dock area and commercial premises at Botafoc, in the port of Eivissa. The duration of the concession will be two years, renewable up to a maximum of three years. At present, the Special Plan for the Port of Eivissa is being processed, which conditions and precludes a call for tenders for the granting of a concession, with long terms of 20 to 30 years that would allow the amortisation of the significant investments that this installation requires. Specifically, the reorganisation of land and water spaces, the complete renovation of maritime infrastructures and buildings on land, in order to improve the quality of the services provided at this facility. For this reason, the APB is obliged to launch a tender for site occupancy authorisation for a maximum period of three years. It should be noted that the processing of the Special Plan is currently at a very advanced stage, so it is hoped that it will soon be approved. The purpose of this tender is to select the most advantageous solution for the granting of an administrative concession for the management and operation of a plot of ninety-seven square metres, of which forty-three square metres correspond to areas of land on which a series of buildings for commercial use will be constructed, a service station to supply fuel to recreational craft, an area for mooring and repairing boats, and an area providing mooring and repair services for boats. Furthermore, there are more than fifty-four square metres of water mirror where mooring services are provided to 432 boats distributed over five pontoons. The annual amount of the occupancy fee will be 2,215,013.76 euros and the activity fee is established as 4% of the turnover.

Transport and infrastructure