The Port of Palma extends its berthing line to attract the world’s largest cruise ships
Palma de Mallorca
12/10/2013
The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands has tendered the work to extend the berthing line at the Port of Palma so it can serve as a home port for the world’s largest cruise vessels. The project has based its calculations on the Oasis of the Seas, currently considered to be the longest cruise ship in the world at 361 metres long which has a capacity of 6,300 passengers and 2,400 crew.
The building work involves constructing three dolphins to extend the north berthing face of the platform adjoining the East Breakwater. The project will add 160 metres to the current berthing line to provide a maximum length of 445 metres on the north face. In addition, this extension will enable a vessel up to 130 metres long to berth on the south face.
The work consists of three reinforced concrete caissons with a 50 metre gap between them. These caissons will each have two bollards weighing two hundred tonnes and four cell-type fenders to ensure safe berthing.
The tender for the work has been put out at €5.6 million with a lead time of 6 months. The project does not have any major environmental impact.
