News APB | Ports de Balears

Works on S'Illa Plana at Port of Maó now underway

17/10/2016

The APB (Port Authority of the Balearic Islands) has launched the refurbishment works of the docks at Illa Plana, a project that will also cover the adaptation of the surface area intended for sailing and canoeing schools of the various boat clubs at the port of Maó that often visit these facilities for their sports activities. With a budget of €304,202.89, the company Dragados, S.A. will repair, reconstruct and lay the pavement of the docks, implementing works over the course of around 4 months with a view to improving the sporting use and safety of the facilities. Although these works were set to get underway mid-2015, it was not feasible until now. The inability of the winning company of the first tender to undertake the project and the subsequent new tender process for the works that had to be performed caused the delay. With this activity, the APB seeks to harness the public domain and steer it towards sporting and recreational activities that boost the Maó Maritime Club and the Villacarlos Sailing Club and, in particular, to protect the safety of children who take part in the light sailing, canoeing or paddle surf courses that are on offer.

APB to procure fire engine for the fire-fighters of Formentera

05/10/2016

The APB (Port Authority of the Balearic Islands) has called for bids for the purchase of a fire engine in accordance with the collaboration agreement on fire prevention and extinction, and rescue and civil protection for the Port of La Savina, formalised with the Inland Council of Formentera in December 2014. In line with this agreement, the APB agrees to procure a fire engine with turntable ladder to be used by the Fire Department of the Inland Council of Formentera to guarantee safety at the Port of La Savina facilities. The APB will also make a contribution of 20,000 euros each year to cover the cost of specific training for fire-fighters in Formentera and a one-off payment of 10,000 euros to purchase various emergency equipment. For its side of the bargain, the Inland Council of Formentera undertakes to provide a specialised service for the prevention and extinction of fires, civil protection, rescue and emergency control in and around the port, preferably allocating a fire-fighting team, at least, to the port area and the essential material resources to ensure safety at the port. The efforts by two entities help raise safety levels in the port's service area and harness available resources and synergies to avoid the duplication of services. For more information on the tender process of the supply contract, you can access the contractors profile on the APB website or directly consult the public sector contracting platform.

The APB invited tenders for projects worth 52.4 million euros up to September 2016

04/10/2016

So far this year, the APB (Port Authority of the Balearic Islands) has called for bids for projects worth 52.4 million euros. The main works include the expansion of the esplanade of the Poniente Norte Dock in Palma, the expansion and remodelling projects of the Marine Terminal No. 6 in Palma, and the refurbishment and improvement works of the south docks at the Port of Ibiza. State ports has released the list of projects that were tendered out during the first nine months of this financial year, drawing attention to the fact that these projects offered by Spanish ports equate to 548 million euros. In terms of port authorities, Bilbao, with the construction of the main terminal for the expansion of the Port of Bilbao, comes first in the list with the most substantial project tendered out. With 52.4 million euros, Barcelona, Ferrol-San Cibrao and the Balearic Islands come behind Bilbao in the ranking of projects with the highest bids. All in all, this figure shows a 37.8% increase against bids from the same period in 2015. Tenders on the Balearic Islands up to September 2015 amounted to 17.9 million euros, less than half of the 52.4 million euros in 2016.

The APB takes part in the 9th FETEIA Convention 2016

30/09/2016

The Chamber of Commerce of Mallorca today hosted the convention for Spanish logistics operators, FETEIA. The APB (Port Authority of the Balearic Islands) took part in the gathering where the main issues affecting the import and export sector were debated. One of the main issues highlighted was the problem concerning Customs as a driving force or obstacle for the development of international trade and the new safety dynamics for freight forwarders. The opening ceremony was led by the President of Puertos del Estado [State Ports], José Llorca the President of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, Joan Gual de Torrella, the President of FETEIA-OLTRA (Spanish Federation of Freight Forwarders. Organisation for Logistics, Transport and Customs Representation), Enric Ticó, and that of ATEIA-OLTRA Balears (the Balearic Islands Freight Forwarders Association), Enrique Oliver. FETEIA-OLTRA (the Spanish Federation of Freight Forwarders) is made up of all companies in this sector, along with transportation logistics and customs representation companies. FETEIA-OLTRA aims to provide maximum support for Spanish logistics operators so that they can carry out their work in the framework of free competition and work together with Public Authorities and Institutions to facilitate the work of freight forwarding companies.

The Directorate-General of Emergencies and the APB organise a gas leak drill at the Port of Alcúdia

29/09/2016

The Directorate-General of Emergencies, in coordination with the APB (Port Authority of the Balearic Islands), has today organised a gas leak drill at the Port of Alcúdia. The drill was undertaken to comply with the Seveso Regulation, which establishes that hazardous chemical facilities must have certain plans thoroughly integrated into local civil protection plans and conduct drills every 3 years. A major unit, comprising emergency services and security forces, was deployed to the port area this morning to carry out the relevant operations, which continued until the action protocol was completed. The drill entailed a fictitious 1,800-kg propane gas leak at the Repsol facilities in the Port of Alcúdia, which took place during the unloading process of a gas tanker while it was in the liquefied gas unloading dock. Repsol immediately contacted the Port of Alcúdia's control centre and 112, notifying them of the incident. The Directorate-General of Emergencies and Interior automatically activated level 2 of the External Emergency Plan. Besides the APB and the Directorate-General of Emergencies, the Government Delegation of the Balearic Islands, Repsol, the Guardia Civil, the Fire Service of Mallorca, and the Local and Port Police all participated in the drill. In compliance with the safety check of the Port of Alcúdia, the APB carried out an assessment on the harbour station and inside the Martin Soler de Baleària vessel on which the passengers hypothetically travelled. Meanwhile, the different companies that operate at the Port of Alcúdia, under the authority of the Directorate-General of Emergencies of the Balearic Government, who organised the initiative, were brought up to date with events. The emergency services activated the External Emergency Plan and the APB provided its services, offering the emergency services its port pilots and tugboats, while respecting the measures established to control environmental impacts and marine pollution. In order to ensure safety and the proper undertaking of the drill, the Local Alcúdia Police and the Guardia Civil restricted accesses to the town centre, while the Port Police restricted accesses to the port area.

MeinSchiff 5 also docks at the Port of Palma

23/09/2016

The arrival of the newly launched MeinSchiff 5 at the Port of Palma means it is the first port where all 5 ships belonging to the company TUI Cruises will anchor in 2016. On its way from Cadiz, the latest TUI Cruises ship will stop over in the Mallorcan capital, once again opting for one of the APB's ports as a home port. This is not the first time the company has chosen a Balearic port to unveil one of its cruise ships. In June 2014, the Port of Palma was also a stop-off point for the recently inaugurated MeinSchiff 3. It was also chosen as the setting to launch the MeinSchiff 4, the sister ship of the one presented today. The arrival of MeinSchiff 5 means that the five TUI Cruises ships will have used the Port of Palma as their operational base in 2016, making it the only port to have welcomed them all in the same year. It is a 295 metre-long ship that can hold 2,600 passengers. Chairman of the APB, Juan Carlos Plaza, and captain of the MeinSchiff 5, Tood Gurtman, today exchanged the traditional plaques accrediting the solid relationship between the APB and the company. The five MeinSchiffs will stop over up to thirteen times between now and the end of the year and the MeinSchiff 2 will be based in Palma throughout the winter, helping to unmistakably address the seasonal touristic nature of the island of Mallorca. Next season, the company's five ships will stop over a total of 58 times at the Balearic ports - 37 stop-overs at Palma and 21 at Eivissa.

Mediterranean island cruise route unveiled in Tenerife

21/09/2016

The Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and Malta reached an institutional arrangement in Tenerife during the "Seatrade Cruise Med" –the international cruise sector fair held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife– to develop a top quality cruise line. Coordinated by the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, namely the chairman Joan Gual de Torrella, as well as regional or local governments and the port authorities representing the cities of Maó, Ajaccio, Alguer, Messina and Valetta-Malta, they outlined the design of a cruise network to cover the islands in the western Mediterranean, and assessed the individual features, historical, environmental and economic quality of each territory to create a new product. The product, unveiled to the public on Wednesday during the Canary Islands fair, will be officially launched globally in the Miami event next March.

The Port of Maó's action plan monitoring committee is formed

19/09/2016

Another step forward in the Port of Maó's action plan. The monitoring committee of the project, which aims to convert the Port of Maó into Menorca's economic engine, was formed this morning. The monitoring committee comprises two representatives from the APB, and two from both the Council of Maó and the Council of Es Castell. The commission's chairmanship will rotate among the three bodies on a yearly basis, while the secretary position will be undertaken by the APB. The commission's mission is to analyse on a quarterly basis the progress of the action plan and how best to push it forward, in accordance with the competencies of each administration. Last July, a document drawn up by the APB and the councils of Maó and Es Castell was presented. The document, called the Port of Maó: economic and cultural engine, sets out 40 possible economic and social actions aimed at recovering the port's former vitality. Help given from the public and private sector was essential in producing this strategic document. The forty actions outlined are separated into two blocks: measures for economic and for cultural drive. The latter block also encompasses all nautical-sporting activity. As regards the first block, a complementary management proposal between the ports of Maó and Ciutadella, which aims to resolve the imbalance that has arisen since the extension of the latter, stands out from the other proposals. This cooperation proposal regarding resources and objectives is also being considered for the port-airport and for the development of actions with other Mediterranean ports and cities to strengthen the traffic of medium cruise ships and those of high purchasing power. Furthermore, an extension of the access passage from the estuary is also being considered to improve sailing safety and performance. Improvements in the competitiveness of the companies at the port is also under consideration and the creation of a project incubation hub has been proposed. As regards the measures for cultural drive and nautical-sporting activity, a proposal regarding the allocation of part of the APB's resources to cultural projects, as well as a commitment to draw up a resource plan that establishes investment priorities, willingness to make military heritage compatible with the current and future needs and uses, and the creation of Maó’s visitors' centre on Rey island are worthy of note.

The APB and the Government of the Balearic Islands exchange knowledge on the functioning of the APB Electronic Management System

15/09/2016

Technicians from the Directorate-General of Technological Development of the Government of the Balearic Island and the APB recently held a meeting in the APB's central office for the purpose of analysing the operation of the Records and Authentication System Cl@ve used for online formalities. Cl@ve is a system geared towards integrating and simplifying electronic access for citizens to public services. It primarily intends to allow citizens to identify themselves to the Administration using combined keys (username and password), without the need to remember different keys to access different services. The APB has incorporated this system to its electronic management in order to offer users a simpler and more functional platform to carry out formalities with the authority. The APB launched the website on June 2015. A crucial tool to facilitate the procedures that individuals and companies carry out with the APB. The tool also enhances the digitisation of public administration, reducing the consumption of paper and establishing more fluid communication with other administrations. One year on since its launch, the platform has logged more than 48,000 open sessions and close to 1500 online applications. The APB electronic management offers the possibility to carry out formalities including: payment of fines, renewal of mooring requests, complaints and suggestions, authorisations for the provision of commercial services, and many more.

The APB will grant permission to the Island Council of Formentera to organise cultural and museum activities at the La Mola Lighthouse

15/09/2016

The APB will allocate the auxiliary facilities and outdoor areas of the La Mola Lighthouse to the Island Council of Formentera to implement a program of cultural and museum-related activities. It is a public domain for ports affiliated to the APB. This allocation will be brought before the Board of Directors on 28 September upon having been given the green light from State Ports. The new use of the La Mola Lighthouse will not have an impact on its day or night maritime signalling activity. This allocation will also be formalised through an agreement that sees the Island Council of Formentera undertaking to keep the lighthouse in prime condition.

The APB meets with the Island Council of Formentera for the first time regarding the comprehensive improvement project on the Port of la Savina

15/09/2016

Joan Gual de Torrella, Chairman of the APB, and his management team visited the Port of la Savina this morning. This visit entailed the first meeting with the Island Council of Formentera to establish the details of the comprehensive improve project on the Port of la Savina. This initiative comes as a result of one of the promises made by Gual for this parliamentary term. A tender process for the works is expected to be undertaken in 2017 and the works are estimated to begin before 2018. Jaume Ferrer, the president of the Island Council of Formentera, said that this comprehensive improvement of the port complements the action the Council is carrying out in the centre of la Savina. Gual also said that the aim of this action is to make the port a nice place for people and one which is enjoyable to walk around. The restoration of the Paseo Marítimo of la Savina seeks to embellish the environment of the port for the pleasure of residents and visitors. Furthermore, it will entail the regulating of business activities and will see the creation of a new fishermen's association, improving the sector's working conditions.

The APB presents new sundial in the Port of Palma

14/09/2016

The Chairman of the APB (Port Authority of the Balearic Islands), Joan Gual de Torrella, and the engineer and expert in gnomonics, Rafael Soler Gayá, this morning presented a new equatorial sundial located on the access road to the West breakwater of the Port of Palma. The sundial is a reconstruction of the one designed in 1989, again by Rafael Soler Gayá, which was demolished years later due to structural problems. Located a little more westward than its initial location, it is one of many sun- and moondials designed by Soler throughout the Balearic archipelago. An investment of 47,000 euros was made to undertake this project. It is a sundial in the shape of an armillary sphere, used throughout the centuries to show the movement of stars around the Earth or Sun. It has two 180º semi-rings (one meridian and the other equatorial) made of reinforced concrete, with stainless steel bars placed on top. The sundial provides information on the real time hours, the time hours according to Palma's time zone, the zodiac calendar and the regular month calendar. With the aim of making it easier to read, the structure comes with a few simple instructions in four languages. Gual remarked that, asides from his status as expert in gnomonics, Soler is also a leading figure in terms of understanding the current set-up of the ports on the Islands, and of the navigational guidance system throughout the whole of Spain. Rafael Soler Gayá (Sant Joan, Mallorca, 1929) is a key figure in order to understand the evolution of the maritime signals in the State. Since joining the public administration in 1958 as an assistant engineer at the Port of Palma, until his retirement in 1994 as director of the then recently created Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, he has carried out extensive work regarding improvements to the light ranges of lighthouses and maritime signals of the country and has written 250 port projects and 122 on maritime signalling.