News APB | Ports de Balears

Fermín Aramburu: “We pilots have the manoeuvres in our veins”

04/03/2021

How does a person from Bilbao end up in Maó? In Bilbao, there was a lot of competition for pilot jobs and I didn’t see a lot of opportunities. On the other hand, I had sailed for many years with Iscomar and the Balearic ports were familiar to me. So I sat the exam in Madrid in June 2000 and I have been in Maó ever since. I’m very content with the work I have done. What training does a pilot have to do? We pilots are Merchant Navy captains we have also sat some exams, including a public entrance exam with different technical and legal topics. When you pass, you become an apprentice for 4 or 5 months, learning manoeuvres under the supervision of a pilot. After obtaining a certificate, you are officially appointed pilot and play an active role in the community. But training never ceases: Every 5 years we have to pass a tough exam to be able to remain in the job. What is a pilot’s mission? Our mission is to go on board the vessel to advise the captain on how to manoeuvre it until it reaches the dock. It is important to emphasize that we pilots do not take command of the ship at any time it is the captain who does so and relies on our advice. The same thing occurs for outbound pilotage: You board and give him advice on courses, speeds, possible tides and currents (although in the Mediterranean there are none). When we have done our job, we greet the crew and disembark. Another less known mission is inland pilotage, when a ship is moved from one dock to another due to operational requirements. The captain’s full trust is therefore very important. That’s what it’s like. Empathy, this word that is so fashionable these days, is essential for the technicalities of the job to be as positive as possible. You must have heard a lot of funny stories over more than 20 years. Yes, but what is more important are the compliments made by all the cruise passengers on their way to the port of Maó. Every one of them was amazed by the unique physical structure of this port. It was a key factor in attracting cruise ships to Maó. I would say that it has been more of a team effort, by the Port Authority, shipping agents, even the administrations, and us. In any case, Maó has a handicap, which is its relatively narrow structure, preventing it from accommodating cruise ships more than 275 m long. And the truth is that shipping companies are increasingly opting for larger ships, which are much more profitable. Do you remember your first manoeuvre in the port of Maó? No, not really. I had been there many times as captain and I worked alongside the pilot a lot, so I knew him very well. I don't know if it was a cruise ship or a ferry. What I do remember is the last one, a few days ago, the Volcán de Tinamar operated by Trasmediterránea. Have you experienced any complicated situation? We are always worried about everything going well, but fortunately we have been able to solve all problems, despite the limitations of a port like this one, with very strong winds. Has the work changed over the decades? It’s true that the ships are more high tech, and we have had to improve our knowledge to keep up. But the work itself and the manoeuvring are the same. It's in our veins. Your hobby has always been to get to know Menorca on foot. To stay in shape it's very good for me, and it's also very instructive and beautiful. The Camí de Cavalls is a real marvel, and other inland trails are equally interesting. What do you plan to do from now on? I'm going to do a lot of mountaineering in the Basque Country, and also hiking in Menorca.

Transport and infrastructure

The new vehicle weighing control systems at the port of Palma will allow the process to be automated and remotely managed

25/02/2021

The Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) has new vehicle scales in the port of Palma. The new system enables automated weighing that is controlled from the APB security gates at the entrances to the different restricted areas. Since 2015, Palma's port facilities have had a weighing scale that can be used in both directions on the commercial docks, two scales (one inbound and one outbound) on the Poniente wharf, and another one on the Dique del Oeste (West dock). In its effort to modernise and implement state-of-the-art technology, the APB has welcomed the request for these functions, which include unattended terminals that allow drivers themselves to carry out the weighing. Therefore, this investment means that the drivers themselves will carry out the weighing, after prior authorisation. The price of the construction contract, awarded to Distribución de Registros de Control SL, was €99,547 and had a duration of 10 months. The scales are intended to speed up control of the removal of waste from ships and of goods for maritime transport, and to facilitate the control of any other type of check that may be necessary due to port operations or not, such as the unloading of bulk solids, the control of construction work material, etc. These include the weighing of waste from ships, MARPOL waste, enabling control and quantification of the kilos of waste unloaded during the stopover of ships. The aim is to simplify and streamline the process in order to improve operational efficiency.

Transport and infrastructure Technology and innovation

The APB offices in the port of La Savina will be moved to the Levante dock

24/02/2021

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has put out to tender the contract for the refurbishment of the first floor of Building A of the port of La Savina, situated in the Levante dock, between the Commercial and the fishing docks. After the refurbishment, the building will house the APB offices, which are currently located in the Casa del Mar building. The offices of other public services that currently share the Casa del Mar building will also be moved to the new facilities. These include the Maritime Authority, the Social Marine Institute, the Marine Reserve des Freus and the Consell de Formentera. The first floor of the new building will therefore house the offices, the control centre and changing rooms of the APB, offices for the Consell de Formentera, Maritime Authority and the Marine Reserve, a medical office, as well as a cafeteria, library, conference room, archive rooms, storage rooms and toilets. The ground floor will continue to be used for commercial purposes. Work will also be carried out on the entrances in the central inner courtyard of the building, improving accessibility and the institutional image of the port offices and administrations. Modernisation of the facilities The aim of this move is to make a series of improvements to optimise space in the administrative offices, improve accessibility for users and workers, and renew and update the image and working environment of the public administrations. The APB investment budget is €1,318,572 and the duration is 6 months from the start of the works. The deadline for receiving offers is 2 March 2021. Interested parties may submit their applications through the APB Electronic Bidding Portal.

Eleven lighthouses in Mallorca are to be equipped with a visitor-counting system

22/02/2021

The eleven lighthouses in Mallorca and Dragonera will be equipped with a data-capture counting system to record visitor numbers. The data-captures will provide information on occupancy and trends in the usage of the facilities. Technicians have already begun installing the cameras and the entire network is expected to be up and running soon. The project forms part of Mallorca Island Council’s ‘Smart Island Mallorca’ initiative. It aims to capture data on visitor numbers at places of cultural interest and tourist attractions and is being backed by public business entity Red.es The occupancy data will be extracted from cameras and sensors designed to withstand the external environmental conditions and outdoor use. In addition to the Mallorca lighthouses, devices will also be installed at multiple archaeological sites and around the grounds of the Raixa manor house. Video analysis software will provide data on visitor numbers and detect any unauthorised access to the areas where the cameras are installed. However, in compliance with data protection laws, the cameras do not provide real-time images or video clips. The tool has some important features. Authorised users will be able to monitor, in real-time, the volume of visitors in attendance at a lighthouse at any given time, as well as download reports and graphs.

APB will soon renovate the old lighthouse of the port of Sóller

11/02/2021

The old lighthouse of Sóller, currently in disuse, will soon be renovated by the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB). The frequent winds in the area and its difficult location mean that the lighthouse is currently in a poor state of conservation. The drafting of the renovation project has now been completed, pending receipt of sector reports to start work. The works are expected to begin in early 2022 and will then be put out to tender. Meanwhile, due to the poor condition of the lighthouse, an emergency action has been taken to stabilise the structure using a steel cable and struts to prevent the loosening of ashlars. Problematic location The lighthouse was designed by Emili Pou and approved in 1862. Two years later it was to be inaugurated and it became immediately evident that it was a problematic lighthouse due to the complications provoked by a bufador (blowhole) located close by. This is a large hollow in the rock stretching down into the sea that causes a furious 30-metre high-wave to form during the strong NW storms and then crash down onto the lighthouse. As early as 1865, intense shaking was felt in the building as a result of storms and large waves. The lighthouse keeper considered staying in the building very dangerous in those days and he transferred his family to a house near the lighthouse. Plans were drawn up in 1928 for a new tower - the one currently known as far de sa Creu - located close by but slightly higher up and away from the bufador (blowhole), at the same time as a new residential building was built and already concluded. It was ready to be inhabited in 1944. Photo: Guillem F. Raja Mayol

The ports of general interest in the Balearic Islands moved more than 12 million tons of goods in 2020, 24% less than in 2019

04/02/2021

According to the traffic statistics of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), during 2020, 12,327,169 tons of goods passed through the ports of general interest in the Balearic Islands, which corresponds to a decrease of -24% in traffic compared to 2019. The decrease in goods traffic has affected all ports, which was undoubtedly due to the health situation and mobility limitations. A general decrease in goods has been registered in all ports, with -24% in the port of Palma, -27% in Maó, -30% in Alcúdia, -25% in Eivissa and -16% in La Savina. A total of more than 10 million tons was registered per item (consumer goods) in 2020, decreasing by 20% in comparison with 2019, 7,066,534 tons corresponding to the port of Palma (-22%) 2,217,306 to Eivissa (-24%), 236,118 to La Savina (-13%) and 410,124 to Maó (-23%). An exception is the port of Alcúdia, where the movement of general goods increased by 21% compared to 2019, from 740,731 to 893,245 tons in 2020. The total liquid bulk (basically fuels), in the Balearic Islands registered a decrease of -37%, especially in Eivissa (-44%), followed by the ports of Palma (-36%), Maó (-36%) and Alcúdia (-24%). The total volume of solid bulk (coal, cereals, salt, construction materials, etc.) fell by more than half (-57%), with a significant drop in La Savina (-80%) and in Alcúdia (-73%), and a more moderate one in Maó (-34%), Palma (-17%), and Eivissa (-2%). These are the worst figures since the economic crisis that began in 2008 and only showed signs of improvement in 2014. Passengers Passenger traffic has undoubtedly been one of the most affected by the pandemic. Therefore, 3.8 million passengers were registered in the five ports throughout 2020, 60% less than in 2019, 3.6 million corresponding to regular lines (-47%), and 156,757 to cruises (-94.12%), all of them during the months of January and February, prior to the limitations imposed by the pandemic. All ports managed by the APB have seen a reduction in the number of passengers, mainly Palma, with 76% less, Maó and Eivissa with a drop of -54%, La Savina -52% and Alcúdia -45%. From Puertos del Estado, a gradual recovery of traffic is expected this year until reaching figures similar to 2019.

Transport and infrastructure Socio-economic development

The port of Savina has a new building for the fisherman’s association of Formentera

04/02/2021

The Fishermen's Association of Formentera will have a new building in the port of La Savina paid for by the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB). The work ended this January and a formal request has already been received from the Fishermen's Association to occupy and equip the property. It should be noted that the new location is closer to the fishing pier and to the area for spreading and repairing nets to facilitate the fishermen’s work. The project has also been approved by the Consell de Formentera and the APB. At a cost of €1,040,910, the new building is triangular in shape and consists of a ground floor and a walkable roof with a pergola. It consists of a private area (ground floor premises for the fishermen's association and technical premises) and a public area, which is the roof that can be accessed by pedestrians. Access is along a ramp to a true vantage point for visitors and residents. The building faces the sea, creating an emblematic object in the port of La Savina with two functions: to create highly functional equipment and provide the population with a public space for meeting up. Promenade One of the objectives of this project is to give continuity to the entire perimeter of the port and to integrate the new building as a promenade. This urban landmark will therefore be able to convert the land area of the port into part of the urban fabric of La Savina.

Over one thousand people visited the Maritime Signals exhibition at Portopí Lighthouse in 2020

13/01/2021

1,030 people visited the Maritime Signals exhibition at Portopí Lighthouse in 2020. Despite the health alert situation, which has forced the lighthouse to close for four months (from March to July), a significant number of visits to it and to the exhibition have been registered. It is one of the oldest operating lighthouses in the world, the second oldest in Spain, behind the Tower of Hercules in La Coruña and the third in the world after the Genova Lantern Lighthouse. The Portopí Lighthouse is located in a restricted access area, so you must book in advance. There are free visits from Wednesdays to Fridays from 10:00 to 15:00 and 16:00 to 19:00 and on Saturdays, from 10:00 to 15:00, using this link or sending an email to fardeportopi@portsdebalears.com / 650 438 205. All this information and much more can be found on the website www.farsdebalears.com Virtual visit Another way to obtain more detailed information on this visit is through the website www.farsdebalears.com. This virtual space allows you to go through all the rooms found in the exhibition of Maritime Signals at the Portopí Lighthouse and go up to the lantern, where you will find the only reverb optics, with mirrors instead of lenses, located in Spanish lighthouses at present.

Port-city

APB opens a tender for improving the energy efficiency of public lighting at the port of Palma

11/01/2021

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) opens a tender for improving the energy efficiency of public lighting at the port of Palma, Portixol and Molinar. This improvement project, which is in the open tender phase, has an initial budget of three million euros and an expected duration of 11 months from the official start of the works. The deadline for receiving offers is 25 January 2021. Interested parties may submit their applications through the APB Electronic Bidding Portal. The proposal provides for replacement of the type of lamps used - sodium vapour, halogen, metal halide, etc. - by other more efficient technologies such as LEDs that reduce pollution levels. In the port, restricted access areas are combined with spaces open to the public such as pedestrian walkways, double-lane and single-lane roads, bicycle lanes, loading and/or passenger docks, parking lots, etc. that require different levels of lighting to ensure their safe usage. This intervention also seeks to reduce the costs of electricity consumption by improving energy efficiency and optimising the design of lighting networks managed directly by the APB, together with the use of more efficient technologies such as lighting fixtures with LED lamps, the implementation of regulation equipment and the use of remote management systems in switchboards to adapt lighting to environmental conditions. Reduction of CO2 emissions This improvement in energy efficiency also aims to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases, in compliance with European guidelines and current trends towards sustainability. This project establishes the path to be followed for other ports of general interest in the Balearic Islands in terms of energy-efficient public lighting. In fact, work has already begun in Maó and La Savina, while in Alcúdia and Eivissa, a tender will soon be opened.

A mobile application funded by the APB will improve the marine hazard alert system

23/12/2020

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), in collaboration with the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), has launched a trial version of the Signals XXI mobile application, aimed at improving the marine hazard alert system and sending alerts through the mobile phone to those skippers whose course, speed and draught indicate to the platform an imminent risk of collision or incorrect anchoring. These hazards are previously geolocated and reproduced in barometric planes or in 3D in the alert system. Much of the information has been collected using marine robots equipped with navigation sensors and optical and acoustic devices. The platform will also contain information on the community of sailors, professionals or authorities, enabling the triggering of hazard alerts never given before, such as for drifting obstacles. The developers have worked for two years on its creation, and another year of tests, improvements and introduction of information is planned thanks to the collaboration of the port community itself. Presence of Neptune grass (Posidonia oceanica) Signals XXI has also implemented an alert software in potentially critical areas due to the presence of posidonia meadows in zone II of the APB ports (Palma, Alcúdia, Maó, Eivissa and La Savina). The App is available for both iOS and Android.

Decision to sign the management agreement for the seaside promenade of Palma

22/12/2020

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has agreed to approve the agreement with the Palma City Council for the management of the Gabriel Roca promenade, once the modifications indicated by the Ministry of Finance have been introduced and the mandatory authorization has been obtained for signing. The Board of Directors has also empowered the APB president to sign the agreement. Once the Palma City Council has signed it, the document will be sent to the Puertos del Estado Public Body. The next step will be to publish it in the state Electronic Registration of Organs and Public Sector Cooperation (REOICO) and in the Official State Gazette, mandatory procedures for its entry into force. This will enable bidding for the remodelling of the promenade to be given free rein in the first quarter of 2021 and at the beginning of the works at the end of the same year. Budget of 43 million euros The agreement regulates and establishes the commitments that both parties assume. Therefore, the agreement establishes that the APB will be responsible for the remodelling and improvement of the promenade and the City Council for the maintenance of the space. The construction project for the works, prepared by the JAMLET-TYPSA joint venture, considers working on 169,010 square metres of the promenade of Palma and has an estimated budget of 43 million euros. This intervention pursues a variety of objectives, among them the improvement of public transport and sustainable means of transport as opposed to the private vehicle, pacification of road traffic, improvement of the transversal permeability between the port and the city, unification of residual spaces to generate free spaces linked to the promenade and enhancement of different uses and activities along it.

The terms and conditions governing the tender for the management of a storage and distribution centre at the port of Alcúdia were approved

22/12/2020

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) approved the terms and conditions that will govern the public tender for the management of a centre for cement distribution and storage in silos for the commissioning of the seawall at the port of Alcúdia. Services will include pneumatic loading and unloading of cement through pipes from the ship to the silos and its storage and distribution, as well as other optional services to be proposed by the bidder related to the previous ones. The aim of this tender is to consolidate the important role played by the port of Alcúdia in the handling of solid bulks by developing a logistics terminal within the port for use as a cement reception, storage and distribution centre. The bidder may also choose to offer a cement bagging service. The entire logistics operation must contemplate the measures with the most eco-friendly measures out of those that are technologically feasible. The annual occupancy rate to be improved by the bidder corresponds to €158,785.50 excluding VAT and will remain in force for a maximum of 18 years, from the date it is granted. Operations will depend on the granting of a licence for the public area of the port to use the existing facilities, with a total area of 890 m2, including the plot where the two silos and the underground pipelines are located.