News APB | Ports de Balears

Joan Gual de Torrella bets for the consensus in the management of the harbours of general interest

28/08/2015

The president of the Port Authority of Balearic Islands (PAB), Joan Gual de Torrella, is very knowledgeable about the institution, as he has participated in its Administrative Committee for seven years (2006-2013) as the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Majorca. In his first days at the forefront of the PAB he has answered the questions posed by the means of communications of the Balearic Islands regarding all that affecting the management of the harbours of general interest, like the traffic of cruisers, the port logistics, the works in the harbours or even the possible application of a tourist tax by the Government of the Balearic Islands. In all these cases, Joan Gual highlights the word “consensus” and the importance of keeping good relations with the Councils of the cities where the harbours of general interest lie. The harbour we want Gual’s main challenge as a president is, as he has noted, “thinking in the future of the harbours for the next generations”. In the case of Palma’s harbour, for example, the largest and busiest harbour of the islands, “we have to define the harbour we want for the next 30 years”, he has said. And, as previously stated, the new Council of Administration of the PAB considers it possible to undertake a rearrangement of uses and spaces without the need of extension. “The engineers of the house are working on it. If the space we have is rationalised, I think there is no need to expand the area”. The president of the PAB has highlighted in all the interviews the importance of the port management for the traffic of goods and people. He has been really explicit in his examples: “If the harbour failed, the supermarkets would be empty, the hospitals would not have oxygen and the providers of potable water would not have chlorine… this is rarely taken into account and often taken for granted. We would realise it if it failed, and we do not want it to happen”. Numbers are conclusive. 13 millions of goods and an average of 6,5 millions of passengers cross the harbours of the Balearic Islands every year. In fact, the harbours of the Balearic Islands have reached the second position in the market of cruisers in Spain and the fourth position in the Mediterranean market. Besides, the line of ferries between Eivissa and Formentera is the busiest Spanish line.

Palma City Council and the PAB start the dia-logue to define together the future of the seasi-de façade

26/08/2015

The leaders of the area of Model of City, Urbanism and Decent Housing and of the Port Authority of Balearic Islands have held the first business meeting, in which they have analysed the main current issues affecting both administrations. The meeting, celebrated in the headquarters of the PAB, was attended by Antoni Noguera, deputy mayor of the Model of City, accompanied by the manager of Urbanism Joan Riera and the director of urbanism Biel Horrach. Joan Gual de Torrella and Antoni Noguera have agreed in this meeting to start the construction of work and permanent dialogue spaces in order to make headway in the projects affecting both parts. In fact, Noguera has highlighted the good predisposition of the president of the Port Authority to open communication and coordination channels, and he has positively valued the meeting. Specifically, the attendants have analysed the future of the Seaside Promenade, have set up a second meeting in September and have planned the procedures to cede the ownership to Palma City Council. Antoni Noguera has explained that “it is a long administrative process, but in the short and medium term we could carry out exceptional projects that would help draw the future of the seaside façade. We have agreed on drawing together a more inhabitable, kinder city open to the sea and to the pedestrians”. Some of these aforementioned projects include the Aigua Dolça, a city space that the area of Model of City wants to recover for neighbours, and the connection of the neighbourhood to the sea, as well as the rearrangement of mobility in the seaside area (through the reduction of traffic lanes or the creation of more bike lanes, etc). “Everything with the objective of developing projects that will make the Seaside Promenade a great lineal civic axis, open to the citizens and to the sea”. Coordination and consensus Likewise, both the representatives of the Model of City as of the PAB have agreed to resume the mee-tings of the Coordination Commission between both administrations, an already existing dialogue space that is to be promoted periodically in order to advance and work together. In this line, the Commission will allow an agreed and optimal solution for the city in the writing of the Director Plan of the Harbour and the revision of the PGOU. Regarding the expansion project of the Molinar’s harbour, both Gual de Torrella and Noguera consider the first and the second project presented by the owners disproportionate. Noguera reminds that “The City Council has the firm commitment to refurbishing and rearranging the club, whenever it is compatible with the parameters and the maintenance of the current dimensions. Both administrations are interested in combining this objective with the continuity of the Sea Club with social vocation”. Finally, the need to find an agreed solution for the present and future of the beach club of S’Avançada of San Carlos bunker has been considered. “Palma City Council and the Port Authority will work together to find a solution within the framework of the modifications established by the Ministry of Culture, in order to guarantee the protection of the patrimonial value of the surroundings of the bunker”. In the following days both administrations will hold new meetings to address this issue..

The ports of Balearic Islands receive 13 million goods per year

24/08/2015

Nearly 13 million goods passed through general interest ports managed by Port Authority of Balearic Islands (PAB) in one year, figure that increases every year since last 2011 thus indicating Balearic Islands’ economic activity also increases. Palma, Alcúdia, Maó, Ibiza and La Savina (Formentera) are the getaway for goods received in the islands. goods that are being distributed to the companies for sell and consumption. In fact, 95% of PAB activity is focused in good logistics. 12,6 million goods and 625.000 vehicles reached Balearic Islands’ ports last year. There is a slightly higher forecast for current 2015. We mean not just vehicles and goods but also persons. 6,4 million people passed through island’s ports whether in cruises or transportation ferries in 2014. It is possible to reach 6,6 million people at the end of 2015, around 200.000 more passengers. General Interest ports are strategic in Balearic Islands because they are the getaway for both passengers and goods, this is why PAB is an institution under the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Works and Development but also strongly linked to Balearic Islands’ Government and City Halls of the cities where they are located, represented on its Management Board, together with business and trade union entities.

Good quality of the coastal waters in the harbours of general interest of the Balearic Islands

17/08/2015

The Port Authority of Balearic Islands (PAB) has carried out a control plan of the quality of the waters of the coastal areas and the anchoring and maritime access areas of the harbours of general interest, with the aim of keeping an eye on the environmental quality and managing the possible polluting episodes. Thus, a management program suggested by the State Ports Authority –the ROM 5.1- has been voluntarily applied in collaboration with the firm Grupo Daphnia. After analysing the water of the harbours of Palma and Alcúdia in Majorca, Maó’s harbour in Minorca, Eivissa’s harbour and the Savina harbour in Formentera it has been concluded that the level of quality is good according to the European standards. Attention to torrents Despite the good quality of the water, it has been observed that the water coming from the cities through the torrents may cause some polluting focal points, especially due to the so-called “fang anòxic” settled in the harbour beds and reaching the surface with heavy rains and the boats’ movement. In fact, the regulation of bathing water is met throughout almost the whole year, except during heavy rains. The drains cause the same polluting effect, especially in Maó. For this reason the PAB works to collaborate with other administrations and improve the quality of the coastal waters of the cities. The application of the ROM 5.1 requires the segmentation of the harbours in a minimum number of areas in order to concentrate the water analysis works. In the case of Palma’s harbour, these areas have been exceeded in order to guarantee a throughout control of its waters.

Joan Gual de Torrella Guasp takes up the post of Chairman of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands

14/08/2015

The Spanish Official Gazette today published the Spanish Development Ministry Order detailing the appointment of Joan Gual de Torrella Guasp as the new Chairman of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) to replace the outgoing Chairman, Alberto Pons Fernández. The new Chairman, who was born in Palma de Majorca in 1956, was a member of the APB’s Board of Directors from 2006 to 2013, representing the Majorcan Chamber of Commerce. He has had close ties to the Chamber over the past two decades and was its Chairman from 2006-2013. On the business front, he founded MENU Mallorca and was the firm’s Managing Director from 1979 to 2014. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Majorcan Economic Society, which he promoted and of which he was Deputy Chairman, and is a member of the Economic and Social Council at the University of the Balearic Islands, a position he has held since 2006. He also chaired INSULEUR, the Network of the Insular Chambers of Commerce of the European Union from 2009 to 2014. He held different positions in the Higher Council of the Spanish Chambers of Commerce, chairing the Tourism Committee, and in the Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce (ASCAME), and the International Chamber of Commerce (CCI). He also promoted and chaired the Bonaire-Santo Sepulcro Trade Association, the Balearic Islands’ Young Entrepreneurs Association, and the Spanish Young Entrepreneurs Association. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of CAEB, and a member of the Executive Committee of the European Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs YES FOR EUROPE. He was a member of the Majorcan Tourist Board for seven years, a Commissioner for the Balearic Islands in the Euroregion Pyrenees-Mediterranean EGTC, a member of ENDESA’s Balearic Islands Regional Council, and of the University-Business Foundation Trust (FUE).

Port Authority of Balearic Islands (APB) earmarks more than EUR 37 million for Balearic Islands’ public interest ports in 2016

06/08/2015

Initial Budget Proposal for 2016 confirms that APB will invest EUR 37,6 million in Balearic Islands’ public interest ports. EUR 9 million will be earmarked for Palma Port –basically, for Dique del Oeste remodelling– according to Ministry of Public Works.EUR 5,7 million have been allocated to Botafoc docks (Eivissa). Finally, EUR 4 million will be earmarked for Maó Port (Menorca) for both Cós Nou dock and also to fund other necessary investments.

Passengers and goods traffic increases in the first half of 2015

06/08/2015

Freight traffic in Port Authority of Balearic Islands’ (PAB) Ports increased by 8% in the first half of 2015, reaching a 6.6 million tonnes. A 9% increase of general merchandise traffic meaningfully highlights, especially the one related to manufactured products. Palma and Eivissa Ports, with 4.1 and 1.2 million tons respectively (9% growth), lead the increase of freight traffic since beginning of 2015. Alcudia Port (5% growth) verges 755.000 tons while Maó Port remains similar to last year with 355.000 tons. La Savina Port decreased by 8%. this is to say, it achieved 139,000 tons. Freight traffic reached 5.3 million tons (January-June 2015), which accounts for 9% growth compared to the first half of 2014. Alcudia’s Port freight traffic rate of increase has been 37% (302.000 tons) in the first half of 2015 due to, basically, Baleària cargo shipping company increase, on account of the availability of bigger vessels connecting with Barcelona. A general drop of 2% in solid bulk traffic (622.000 tons) was suffered in all PAB Ports but Eivissa (66% increase –76.000 tons–) and La Savina (33% increase –10.000 tons), due to the arrival of cement and sand &amp gravel used for structure and construction in Pitiusas and salt export from Eivissa during this very first months of 2015. On the contrary, liquid bulk traffic increases up to 11% due to a higher fuel consumption in archipelago. Even more passengers. Palma Port leads the growth in number of cruise passengers with an increase of 20% (January – June 2015), resulting in 668.000 passengers (112.000 more than previous year). Global variation in PAB Ports reached an increase up to 17% (746.000 passengers since Juny 30th 2015). So does the traffic of regular passenger: 4% increase from January to June 2015 with 1.9 million passengers. 7% growth in La Savina and Alcúdia Ports should be emphasised, with 660.000 and 113.000 passengers respectively in the first half of the year. More information about traffic statistics at www.portsdebalears.com

The port, a perfect backdrop for “Ciutat de Palma” Balearic Islands’ Symphony Orchestra

04/08/2015

"Violins, violas, basses, flutes, oboe, clarinet, horns, trumpets, bassoons ... music filled Port Authority of Balearic Islands’ building in Palma with the sounds of ""Ciutat de Palma” Symphony Orchestra. However, they were not ready for a concert, but something seemingly simple: a nice picture. It was necessary to gather all the musicians in the picture to promote Symphony Orchestra worldwide. The perfect backdrop for this picture was the port of Palma. While the photographer was preparing everything outside, musicians were playing their instruments inside APB building thus transforming it into an improvised stage. Finally, picture was taken at “Moll Vell” esplanade just in front of APB headquarters. Light, sea, and music for Symphony Orchestra linked to the city of Palma to commemorate its 25th anniversary. "

PAB plans to improve access to Palma and Maó Ports

03/08/2015

The 28 Spanish Port Authorities have approved works for up to EUR 467 million investment in order to improve access to Palma and La Mola (Maó) Ports. Backing for these activities comes from the so-called “Fondo de Accesibilidad Portuarios” (´Port Accessibility Fund´) endowed with part of the profits of the 28 Port Authorities. This fund has been created to improve access to ports. good connectivity improves country´s export capacity and it is also an essential ingredient for ports to be competitive.

A Museum inside Cavalleria Lighthouse (Menorca)

28/07/2015

Cavalleria Lighthouse is the oldest in Menorca and one of the most photographed in the island. From now on it is also a knowledge and dissemination place thanks to the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands promotion. The Port Authority feels like recovering lighthouses all over Balearic Islands to guarantee building and maintenance activity and also to open them to visitors in collaboration with municipality where they are located. Fifteen years have passed since Port Authority and Es Mercadal city Council signed the agreement to open lighthouse building to the visitors, specially to Es Mercadal and Fornells neighbours. Last 2008 was partially opened and during 2015 this new usage for the lighthouse has been started, managed by Talaia Cultural company. 200 square meters are enough for the visitor to discover details all around Cavalleria lighthouse such as geology, biodiversity, fishing, landscape, heritage, architecture besides historical and technical aspects of lighthouses. Es Mercadal and Fornells neighbours are satisfied for this historical recover. In fact, volunteers from this municipality have created “Friends of Cavalleria Lighthouse association” to manage a small bar there and also cultural and dissemination activities. Cavalleria Lighhouse is 94 metres above sea level in the north part of Menorca Island and was built in 1857. It was first and foremost built to protect fishermen and sailors from Tramuntana gale, responsible of up to 700 wrecks in the XIV century. Cavalleria Lighthose, still in use, has a group of two light flashing every ten seconds. Opened Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 15 pm

Trainee students in Port Authority of Balearic Islands (PAB)

23/07/2015

Since July 1st, five students belonging to different Degrees and also different Spanish Universities are getting professional training at Port Authority of Balearic Islands’ headquarters and will remain until next August 11th 2015. Summer holidays time is the best in order to allow students to implement their acquired knowledge. In this case, the five trainee students belong to Architecture Degree, Construction Engineering Degree, Civil and Territorial Engineering Degree, Civil Engineering Degree and Roadways, Canals and Ports Engineering Degree deriving from Polytechnic Universities of Catalunya, Madrid, Valencia and Castilla La-Mancha University. During this very last academic year, PAB External Relations Department has also count on the support of a trainee student. A mentor (coming from PAB) has been assigned to each trainee student to help with the practices and to teach how a public Company operation is about.

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands announces the 6th Balearic Island port and lighthouse painting and photography competition

18/07/2015

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has announced the 6th Balearic Island public port and lighthouse painting and photography competition in conjunction with the Palma de Majorca Fine Arts Society. The competition is open to all artists and photographers. The subject matter must be related to Balearic Islands’ lighthouses and the ports of Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and La Savina, which are all managed by the APB. There are three different categories – watercolour, other painting techniques and photography – to share out the prize money of almost €11,000, which has been put up by the APB. The entries must be presented from 13th-30th October at the APB ports of Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza or La Savina. A shortlist will then be put together, based on artistic quality and presentation. The selected works will be exhibited in different places or rooms which are yet to be established. The competition rules are available at More information