News APB | Ports de Balears

A new equatorial sundial for the port of Palma

30/08/2016

The port of Palma has a new equatorial sundial situated outside of the Fishing &amp Nautical School, on the access road to the West dike (Dique del Oeste). This sundial has been reconstructed from a previous design, from 1989, by Rafael Soler Gayà. It is located in the same place as the original, which had to be removed a few years ago due to structural problems. The new sundial has been built following the same characteristics, but following current regulatory requirements. The shape of the equatorial sundial has an armillary sphere, used throughout the centuries to represent the motion of stars around the Earth or the Sun. It consists of two 180º semi-rings, a meridian ring and another equatorial ring, built with reinforced concrete, on which stainless steel sheets have been placed for time readings and the calendar dates. It provides information concerning real time hours, time hours according to Palma’s time zone, zodiac calendar and regular months calendar. The budget for the execution of the sundial was 47,000 euros, taxes included.

The construction works for the building of Es Martell in Ibiza have been tendered

30/08/2016

The Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB) has published the tender notice to condition and improve the contradike of the port of Ibiza, which includes the construction of the new building of Es Martell. The tender terms are available to consult on the Platform for Public Sector Procurement, which can be accessed via the Governments Electronic Office. The tender budget is 2.2 million Euros, taxes included. The deadline for execution of the construction works has been established to six months. The parties interested may submit their bids to the Register of the APB until the 20th September at 14.00pm. The economic bids will be opened starting on the 27th September. The refurbishment of Es Martell has been designed by local architects Calvo and Quesada. The new building will have a surface area of 596 square meters and will serve for multiple port uses. It has been designed so that it is integrated in the protected environment of the marina of the port of Ibiza. The perimeter of Es Martell will be promoted as a recreation and contemplation area through four well-defined spaces in the project. It will consist of a tree-covered square, which will be the extension of Antoni Riquer square, bound to the harbour’s promenade and articulated towards the elevated square (which will be the roof the future building) the end of the tree-covered square, which has been designed as a stage area and a preface of the stage-stairway the stage-stairway with access to the square with a viewpoint and the square with viewpoint itself as a place of enjoyment and contemplation. The demolition of the old building of Es Martell was the beginning of the second phase of the reform of the seafront façade of the port of Ibiza, which aims to integrate the port and the city for the enjoyment of residents and tourists as well as the compatibility with other port uses.

Public administrations reach and agreement for the location of the new maritime station between Formentera and the Port of Ibiza

30/08/2016

The Government of the Balearic Islands, the Consell de Ibiza, the Consell Insular de Formentera and the Council of the city of Ibiza have reached a final agreement for the location of the new passenger terminal of the Port of Ibiza for boats operating in the port of La Savina (Formentera). The agreement has been achieved as a result of a new proposal from the Balearic Islands Port Authority, agreed upon the different public administrations involved and which satisfies the different needs and demands raised by all parties. The consensus proposal means that passengers embark and disembark practically in the same location of the Port of Ibiza as present. The new maritime station will move only about 200 meters from its current location. It will be located on the opposite side of the Yacht Club (Club Nautico), in an area currently used as boatyard and by fishermen. The boats to Formentera carrying cars and goods will move to the commercial docks, where the fishermen’s area will be relocated along with the remaining industrial activity. The presentation of the final agreement took place at the Consolat de la Mar after a meeting headed by the President of the Balearic Government, Francina Armengol, and which was also attended by the Regional Presidency Minister, Pilar Costa the president of the Consell of Ibiza, Vicent Torres the president of the Consell Insular de Fomentera, Jaume Ferrer, the Mayor of the city of Ibiza, Rafel Ruiz, and the President of the Port Authority, Joan Gual de Torrella. The Regional Minister Pilar Costa has noted that the agreement meets the needs raised by all public administrations and has been the result of the predisposition shown "after we were asked a few months ago for the mediation and involvement of president Armengol to resume the negotiations between the administrations". Mrs Costa also added that the result is "a proposal that benefits all citizens" and proves that "when there is an open dialogue a consensus is possible." The president of the APB, Joan Gual de Torrella, explained that in recent months they have been working on a new proposal that satisfies the interests of all administrations and operators working within the Port of Ibiza, and that is why “it has not been easy, but ultimately it is a good agreement because it is beneficial for all parties involved”. On the details of the new proposal, Gual de Torrella especially valued that the embarking and disembarking of passengers practically remains in the same location, as demanded by the Consell de Formentera, while allowing Ibiza’s City Council to extend the port’s pedestrian promenade. He also noted that fishermen agreed to move to the commercial docks, ensuring a more secure location for their activity. This dock will hold all industrial activity as well as the arrival and departure of ships transporting vehicles and roll-on/roll-off goods between Ibiza and Formentera, providing a better mobility solution.

Alcudia’s port: Mallorca’s second most important port of the island

23/08/2016

Alcudia’s port is Mallorca’s second most important one. It is located on northeast part of the island and since last 1992 is one of the integrated ports of Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB). There are two areas in the port: the smaller vessels’ dock, where fishing port is located and Alcudiamar sports marina, equipped with 800 moorings and commercial seaport where goods and passengers’ traffic is located. Alcudia is also the main connection between Mallorca and Menorca islands and also counts with a ship line connecting with Barcelona. There are 250.000 passengers a year embarking and disembarking there, and 200.000 of them are coming back from or going to Ciutadella. As a secure and effective answer to this huge amount of passengers’ traffic, APB has expanded Poniente dock and has built a modern and functional maritime station. Together with that, Alcudia port is linked to energetic resources transportation. Thermal power plant has been working for decades, substituted by electrical power plant of Es Murterar. Coal for the power plant is disembarked at Alcudia port coming from far away countries such as South Africa. Coal is 75% of total amount of goods’ traffic, reaching a million tones per year. 40.000 gas tones also reach Alcudia port and 35.000 scrap metal tones leave every year. Agro-alimentary products reaches 50.000 tones a year and 34.000 tones of the same goods leave from Alcudia. APB manages this port with the aim of adapting it to energetic model changes, thus respecting the natural environment all around. Join our Youtube video channel to see the full report.

Autonomy and economic auto-sufficiency of Balearic ports

19/08/2016

The Balearic Port Authority (APB) manages the five ports in the Balearic Islands considered to be of general interest: Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and Savina. The main management body is the Board of Directors where there are representatives of the institutions and business and economic entities with most representation in the Balearic society or they have links with the ports activity. The president, designated by the Government of the Balearic Islands, is Joan Gual de Torrella. He is the representative of APB and establishes the broad outlines of management. As Mr. Gual points out, the objective of the APB "is to offer a good service and that all the traffic of the ports, both merchant and touristic and the industrial activity, can be carried out as efficiently as possible". One of the characteristics of the ports of general interest is auto-sufficiency and economic and financial autonomy. For Mr. Gual it is "a successful model because budgets of the ports are generated within each port and the results are redistributed between those with activities which produce more and those which need help, such as freight, which in turn helps to reduce the costs of insularity". The APB implements the path to be taken for the most important projects to be executed in the ports. For example in Alcudia, Joan Gual de Torrella highlights the necessity of "extending the promenade to the port terminal in order to make the port area more comfortable and accessible for both locals and tourists". In the case of Mahon, the APB is preparing an action plan together with all the Minorcan society. In Palma, the cruise terminal will be finished. "We have to replace a roof that was provisional, assures Mr. Gual, with an adequate building, with little visual impact but that meets the quality standards needed in a port such as Palma". In order to execute these projects and preserve the environment of the ports, APB applies environmental management policies in which are involved both users and port companies. You can see the complete report in this video on the YouTube canal

The natural port of Maó, the second largest in the world

18/08/2016

The port of Maó, managed by the Balearic Port Authority (APB), is known, amongst other things, because it is the second largest natural port in the world. Also, it is the largest and most important in Minorca because both the touristic and industrial services and functions are combined in the same facilities. The port offers a welcome refuge for sailors. It is 6 km. from the estuary of the well known area of Colarsega and the east-west orientation offers protection from the strong Tramontana winds. At present, two Minorcan municipalities share the territory of the port, Maó and Castell. Both have a seafront promenade which runs along the port area where you can find the centre of the leisure activities such as bars, restaurants, shops and night-life. In the northern area there is the industrial activity of loading and unloading of passenger and merchant ships, the power plant and a Naval Base. This area also concentrates the major part of the traffic of passengers and merchandise. Around 120,000 passengers embark and disembark every year from Barcelona or with arrival in Palma or Valencia. With regard to merchandise, a very important part are energy products such as, diesel, petrol, gas, and fuel. Other products that are needed in Minorca are construction materials, agricultural/food products and such items as machinery, paper or wood. In the Poniente dock, the oldest part of the port, moor the cruise ships with around 80,000 visitors each year. The recreational activity and nautical sports are almost as intense in Maó as in Palma. The port has a great sailing tradition and it is an important area for competitions and the meeting of traditional boats. The statistics for the port of Mao clearly show the importance of conserving this precious heritage and exceptional landscape while at the same time developing the port functions, basic for the island of Minorca. You can see the complete report in this video on YouTube

Professional fishing in the ports of the Balearic Islands

18/08/2016

In all the ports there are dedicated areas for professional fishing. At present, in the ports that are managed by the Balearic Port Authority (APB) there are 16,500 square metres dedicated to fish auctions, the drying of fishing nets, storage and buildings of the Fishermen's Association and other services. The relationship of the APB with the Fishermen's Association is very close and they are usually represented at the Ports and Navigation Council. According to data of 2014 from the Federation of Fishermen's Associations of the Balearic Islands, the ports have 171 commercial fishing vessels: 43 in Alcudia, 39 in Ibiza, 37 in Palma, 32 in Mahon and 20 in Savina. A very important part (129) are dedicated to small scale fishing technics and 19 to trawling (6 of these are in Palma). The rest of the vessels are dedicated to other minority modalities. With respect to fish catches, the vessels of the five ports exceed 3,175 tons. The majority are fish with over 2,500 tons of which 350 are molluscs and 240 crustaceans. The fish production figures show, however, that this activity has reduced its contribution to the Balearic economy. According to data from the Directorate General of Marine Affairs, fish production represents around 20 million euros, although between 2013 and 2014 the total quantity was reduced by 5.8%. The future for the fishing industry will involve changes because the local Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries has presented a new "fishing tourism" decree with measures to diversify the industry. This opens new business possibilities for fishermen with prospects of improving income. You can see the complete report in this video on YouTube.

The ship repairing and maintenance companies are at the head of the Balearic sector

16/08/2016

One of the most promising economic activities in the Balearic Islands is the repairing and maintenance of ships. The Balearic Islands' Port Authority dedicates 140.000 square metres of surface to this activity, which generates more than 450 million euros every year. There are more than 450 companies and 2.300 professionals of this sector operating at the ports managed by the Balearic Island's Port Authority, including indirect jobs. The greatest activity related to the repairing and maintenance of ships is concentrated in Palma's Port, considered a reference for the sector and competing with Barcelona and the main ports of France and Italy. Astilleros de Mallorca and STP (Port Technical Services) are some of the repairing companies that have their headquarters at the capital's port, but there are also small companies and freelancers working at the five ports managed by the APB. At these ports, all type of maintenance, repairing and even restoring works are carried out, including all those related to the engines, electrical and electronic works. The group of companies based at the Balearic ports provide their services to approximately 2.000 ships of all types every year, including 120 considered "super yachts" (large ships). There are many ships coming from other ports which make a technical call at Palma's port. That is why the sector creates stable jobs throughout the year. For the prevention of pollution from this activity, the APB ensures the correct management of all residues generated by the activity of licensees offering repairing and maintenance services. In addition, this institution applies measures for the prevention of pollution: the work areas have a drainage network, decantation tanks, oily water collection or antipollution fences. The full article is available online on this video on Youtube.

The APB opens a tender process for the improvement works of Llebeig lighthouse

16/08/2016

The Balearic Islands' Port Authority (APB) has published the tender offer for the works that include the adaptation of the roof, lantern and annex storehouse of Llebeig lighthouse, in Dragonera island. The aim of the contract is the complete refurbishment of the annex storehouse, the restoration of the roof, facade painting and repair, repair works in the building, substitution of the lantern, treatment of the wood and ironwork, general cleaning and removal of the unusable material. The initial bidding budget is of 510.469,73. The procedure for the submission of offers is already open, and those companies interested can submit their offer until the 15th of September 2016 at 2:00 pm. The tender is available on the APB's e-office, on this link.

The ports of general interest of the Balearic Islands

16/08/2016

Palma, Alcudia, Ibiza, Mahon and La Savina are the ports of general interest managed by the Balearic Islands' Port Authority (APB).They are the five doorways that connect our island to the world and provide us with everything we need, from food, clothing or vehicles to materials for building houses, hospitals or schools. All the ports have the same mission but different characteristics. Palma's Port is the largest one and the with the highest traffic of both passengers and goods Alcudia's Port is essential for the communications between Majorca and Minorca, hence it has an important commercial and passenger activity and it has an important fishing dock Mahon's port is the second largest natural port of Europe and it receives especially cargo vessels, energy transportation ships and small and exclusive cruise ships Ibiza's Port is the connection with Formentera, and it receives almost all the provisions of the island and finally Savina's Port is the smallest and the most characteristic of all. The function of the Balearic Islands' Port Authority is to manage the facilities and port services and to ensure the goods and passengers traffic flow and comfort, as well as to invest in the environment in order to protect the marine ecosystem and manage the residues. The full article is available online on this video on Youtube.

Great activity at Palma's Port

12/08/2016

Palma's Port is the largest port managed by Ports of the Balearic Islands, so it concentrates much more services and activities than the rest of docks. The capital's port is especially known for its great sport nautical activity and for being the main destination for cruise ships. In addition, it is highly important for the residents of the island, as it is the port that provides them with most of the products needed in Majorca. The activity at Palma's Port is intense and regular: 24 hours a day 365 days a year. According to registered numbers, the port receives approximately 2.300.000 passengers every year including regular shipping lines and cruise ships, 170.000 passenger vehicles and 130.000 vehicles as goods, 3.000 merchant ships of 35 nationalities, 1 million tons of oil-bearing products, 200.000 tons of cement and 6.500.000 of diverse goods. Thus, port services are essential for managing all this activity from the different facilities for loading and unloading goods and the passengers flow from regular shipping lines and cruise ships, to, in the areas of the port, the public institutions that can be found here, like the territorial delegation of the National Agency of Meteorology, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres, the Customs administration, military government, National Police, Health Service and the offices of the Balearic Islands' Port Authority, among others. Other private institutions operate at the port, like those providing loading and unloading, tow and residue management services and other companies offering repairing, maintenance and diverse services offered at the port's facilities. The full article is available online on this video on Youtube.

La Savina, an essential port for the Balearic Islands

11/08/2016

La Savina's Port, in Formentera, is characterised for being the smallest port of those managed by the Balearic Islands' Port Authority. According to registered numbers, the traffic of passengers and ships is higher than in other larger ports. Every year, La Savina receives 1.700.000 passengers, most of whom travel in regular shipping lines only 800 of them travel on cruise ships. Thus, it is the Balearic port which registers the second highest traffic of passengers in regular shipping lines —Ibiza is the first one. Regarding the traffic of goods, it is an important port for residents and visitors of the island. La Savina's Port is the doorway of almost all the goods consumed in Formentera, so it is essential for maintaining the economic activity of the island and fulfilling its needs. A total of 200.000 tons of goods are unloaded at the port every year. The full article is available online on this video on Youtube.