News APB | Ports de Balears

THE PRESIDENT OF THE APB, JOAN GUAL DE TORRELLA, FORMALLY MEETS WITH THE NEW PRESIDENT OF FORMENTERA ISLAND COUNCIL, ALEJANDRA FERRER

15/07/2019

As part of his first official visit to Formentera, the President of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), Joan Gual de Torella, met today with the President of the Council, Alejandra Ferrer, and reviewed everything currently related to the port area of la Savina, with a particular emphasis on commencing the second phase of works outlined in the new Special Plan for the port of la Savina. During the meeting, they discussed all aspects relating to what the new buildings will be used for and where to construct new installations for the fishing industry, among other things. On this matter, the President of the APB requested that open spaces are also incorporated so as to facilitate all kinds of training and innovation activities throughout the year. Furthermore, Alejandra Ferrer also highlighted the importance of the handover agreement signed with the APB, which has allowed for a museum collection to be installed inside the Mola Lighthouse. In response, the APB President congratulated the Council on the project with the following words: "it will be a model for other lighthouses". On a final note, Joan Gual de Torrella also explained that they covered two other important topics in their meeting: the finalising of the first phase of works at the Port of la Savina, which has made it possible, he said, "to open up the seafront and create a welcoming place for both tourists and residents to go", and the news that the APB will shortly be installing some sensors in la Savina to measure the air quality in the port area, whose results will be available online. Other participants in the meeting were the Vice-Presidents of the Council of Formentera, Ana Juan and Susana Labrador, and Councillors Rafael González, Pep Marí and Bartomeu Escandell. On behalf of the APB, its director Juan Carlos Plaza and the delegate of the APB in the Ports of Ibiza and la Savina, Ignacio Revilla were also in attendance.

The APB to award concession to Ocibar to manage the moorings in Botafoc marina at the Port of Ibiza

28/06/2019

In today's meeting, the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) approved the decision to request the company Ocibar to manage moorings and commercial premises in Botafoc Harbour Station at the Port of Ibiza for a two-year period, extendable for a further 12 months. This company's proposal was considered the most cost-effective solution by the APB and was granted administrative approval to develop a total surface area of 45,089 m2 of land space, on which a number of buildings for commercial use will be built, and 52,826 m2 of water surface area, where mooring services will be provided for 432 boats distributed across 5 piers. 7 bids were submitted to the tender and the improvements proposed by Ocibar come to a total of 3,596,332.90 euros per year. The annual occupancy rate to be improved by the tenderers was 2,307,533.78 euros per year. In total, fees plus improvements amount to 5,903,866.68 euros, plus the four per cent turnover.

THE PORT AUTHORITY OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS STARTS THE RESTORATION AND IMPROVEMENT WORKS ON THE SEAWALL OF THE BOTAFOC DOCK AT THE PORT OF IBIZA

26/06/2019

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), after awarding the contract for the restoration and improvement works on the seawall of the Botafoc dock at the Port of Ibiza to COPCISA, S.A. for €854,983.54 (excluding VAT), has commenced the works that are expected to finalise at the end of April 2020. To facilitate the work operations and to guarantee the safety of people and vehicles, the car parks in the area will be moved away from the site and the walkway behind the lighthouse will be closed. The Botafoc dock at the Port of Ibiza was constructed in 2003, acting as a seawall to protect the port. In 2015, it became apparent that the most exposed parts on the exterior surface were deteriorating. The APB asked the company CEDEX (Centre for Public Works Studies and Experiments) to conduct a study assessing the problems raised and to propose the most appropriate technical solutions. Based on its report, the APB decided that some parts of the dock could be repaired, such as the facings and the top girders located on the sea side (exterior dock wall), while corresponding prevention treatments could be applied to others on the inner wall. Furthermore, the APB considered other measures to be necessary, such as the removal of the railing, chipping away and reworking of the facings, connecting reinforcement with a mesh of drill holes to ensure the union of all parts of the dock, applying additional distributed reinforcement, and the shuttering and concreting of the vertical and horizontal facings, among others. Finally, on the works now starting, a series of preventative actions will be undertaken, such as applying an anti-corrosion treatment on the surface area with a layer of mortar or micro-concrete made from cement, which is resistant to the marine environment.

APB STAGES EVENTS TO COMMEMORATE THE WORLD MARINE AIDS TO NAVIGATION DAY WITH ACTIVITIES ORGANISED IN ALL THE BALEARIC ISLES

18/06/2019

The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) has set the 1st July each year as the World Marine Aids to Navigation Day. In this first edition, the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) and Puertos del Estado [Spanish State Ports Authority], with the collaboration of the IALA, have organised a series of events in Palma. The central events of this first edition of the World Marine Aids to Navigation Day will take place in Palma, structured in two sessions - one technical and one institutional. The organisers have confirmed the attendance of Francis Zachariae, General Secretary of the IALA, under the slogan “Successful Voyages, Sustainable Planet”, which will discuss present and future challenges for navigational aids to improve safety in maritime traffic within an increasingly digital and changing world in ways that also contribute to the sustainability of the marine environment. Furthermore, those attending the technical conference will see the Portopí lighthouse come into service at midday, with the presence of different authorities. As part of a nationwide coordinated action, a large number of lighthouses and sirens will also be turned on across Spain between 12h00 and 12h30 on Monday, 1st July. Events organised by the APB Moreover, each of the 28 port authorities in the geographical area where they are responsible for navigation aids will stage different activities aimed at demonstrating the role of this service to the general public. In addition to turning on the 34 lighthouses that it runs between 12h00 and 12h30, the APB has programmed the following events: Mallorca: Port of Palma Start-up of the Portopí Lighthouse from 12h00 to 12h30, accompanied by the sound of the horns and sirens of ships lying in the port of Palma. Portopí Lighthouse (Palma) Signal code flags will be flown from the Portopí lighthouse all day. Free Public Exhibition of Navigation Signals at the Portopí lighthouse from 17h00 to 21h00, with guided visits organised in groups. Staging of games, gymkhana and workshops related to lighthouses for children. Exhibition of raptor birds by Natura Parc, who run the Port of Palma falconry service. Cap Blanc Lighthouse (Llucmajor) The Cap Blanc lighthouse complex will be open to the public from 17h00 to 22h00. Cap Gros lighthouse (Sóller) The Cap Gros lighthouse will be open to the public from 17h00 to 22h00 (not suitable for the physically handicapped). Menorca: Favàritx lighthouse (Maó) The site and exhibition will be open to the public from 17h00 to 22h00 (access to the exhibition is not suitable for the physically handicapped). Cavalleria lighthouse (es Mercadal) Public open day at the Cap de Cavalleria in Cavalleria Interpretation Centre at the lighthouse, in collaboration with Es Mercadal Council, from 17h00 to 20h00. Ibiza: Port of Ibiza The Botafoc lighthouse will be in service from 12h00 to 12h30, accompanied by the sound of the horns and sirens of vessels lying in the port of Eivissa. Formentera: La Mola lighthouse Open day for the general public at the Cultural and Educational Centre of the La Mola Lighthouse from 17h00 to 21h00, in collaboration with the Formentera District Council. Important notice: at none of the venues above will public access to the lighthouse tower be allowed.

THE APB EXTENDS ENVIRONMENTAL AND NOISE POLLUTION CONTROLS TO THE PORTS OF IBIZA, LA SAVINA, ALCUDIA AND MAHON

14/06/2019

The APB (Port Authority of the Balearic Islands) has awarded a contract to Kunak-Labaqua to implement a system that monitors air quality and noise pollution at the ports belonging to the APB. As such, the APB meets its commitment to extend to the ports of general interest of Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and la Savina, the air quality control that has been undertaken at the Port of Palma since 2017. The budget of the contract awarded to the joint venture comprising Kunak-Labaqua, amounts to around €443,589.81 and will last for two years. Within a maximum period of six months, the contracted company will supply and install 25 systems with sensors to monitor the air quality and noise pollution at the ports of the APB. The data collected by these systems will be immediately recorded and incorporated into a software platform made available to the APB. Eight new systems will be installed at the Port of Palma, replacing those currently in operation, six at Ibiza, four at Mahon and Alcudia, and three at the Port of la Savina. The systems have remote connectivity using the GPRS or 4G communication networks so that they can transmit information in real time. Furthermore, they also incorporate a calibration mechanism that helps to make remote adjustments. The systems continuously take samples and calculate the average concentration of emissions and noise levels during a specific period of time. The monitoring stations will be equipped with alarms for each parameter that will be activated when environmental or noise pollution exceeds the thresholds or maximum limits. The aim is to create reports and light indicators that help in determining the actions and measures to take at any given time, whether gradually or immediately. In 2015, the APB signed a collaboration agreement with the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB). In 2016, it awarded a contract to the University-Business Foundation to provide technical assistance in designing and supporting the implementation of a network measuring pollution and noise at the Port of Palma. The network was implemented in 2017. Furthermore, it also took charge of the estimate and the ideal location of the sensors at all of the ports managed by the APB. The APB allows the public to see the air quality at the Port of Palma on the website www.portsdebalears.com. There is a control panel on the website that is updated eight times a day and collects the average hourly value of the stations at the Port of Palma. The APB, in accordance with its environmental policy, has designed an environmental management system that has recently been certified by AENOR. One of its main aims is to monitor air quality, by measuring emissions in the air at different areas at the port, and noise levels.

THE PORT AUTHORITY OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS ACQUIRES FIVE NEW HYBRID VEHICLES

13/06/2019

The APB (Port Authority of the Balearic Islands) has purchased five new 100% electric vehicles that are to join its fleet, which is already largely made up of more environmentally-friendly cars: hybrid and fully electric vehicles, depending on each case. As such, and as part of its commitment to the environment, the APB is gradually renewing its fleet by incorporating less polluting vehicles. The company, Multiauto, won the public contract put out to tender by the APB that regarded the acquisition of three sedan vehicles for institutional and port police use, which will be allocated to the ports of Palma, Mahon and Ibiza. Furthermore, two vans will also be acquired, at a total cost of 175,000 euros, that will be allocated to the Port of Ibiza. The make and model of the vehicles are: 3 Nissan NV2000 and 2 Nissan Leaf.

THE PORT AUTHORITY OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS INVITES YOU TO THE TENTH EDITION OF ITS PAINTING AND PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CÍRCULO DE BELLAS ARTES IN PALMA DE MALLORCA

04/06/2019

For the tenth consecutive year, the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) is organising and sponsoring a new edition of its contest dedicated to paintings and photography of the ports in Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and La Savina, as well as the islands' lighthouses. The overall aim is to display the cultural heritage of the ports and their surrounding environment from an artistic point of view. All painters and photographers will be able to participate in the competition if they meet the rules of the tender, provided that the works presented are related to the theme. These works will be split into three categories: watercolour, other painting techniques and photography. The first prize winner for the latter will be awarded with 800 euros, while those in the other categories will receive 2000 euros each. Once the prizes have been presented, the APB intends to display all competition entries in Palma throughout December 2019 and January 2020, while the works presented in Mahon and on the Pityusic Islands will be on show for the first five months of 2020 on the islands of Mallorca and Ibiza. Information and Terms and Conditions Those interested in taking part will be able to submit their entries Monday to Friday, between 09:00 and 14:00 from 1 to 31 October 2019. For further information and Terms and Conditions visit www.portsdebalears.com.

A European delegation visits the ports of Palma and Alcudia to study, in the Balearic Islands, ways of compensating goods and passenger transport

03/06/2019

A delegation from the islands of Corsica and Sardinia has been on a two-day technical visit, under the framework of the European Interreg Programme, in the Balearic Islands. This action forms part of the GEECCTT-Îles (GEstion Européenne Conjointe des Connexions/Transports Transfrontaliers pour les Îles) project, led by Italy and France. The regions that benefit from this project are Corsica and Var in France, and Sardinia, Tuscany and Liguria in Italy. The aim of the technical visit to the Balearic Islands is to analyse mobility in terms of island to island and island to continental territories. The systems used by the administrations are to be analysed to compensate goods and passenger transportation, taking into consideration the fact that being isolated entails an additional cost and competitive hinderance for companies in such locations, while also making mobility difficult for citizens. At the technical meeting, representatives of the Balearic government, the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), the Government of Spain, the Maritime Authority, the Chamber of Commerce of Mallorca and of shipping companies that operate around the islands were in attendance with the French and Italian delegation. Xavier Ramis, managing director of ports and airports of the Balearic Government, explained that the aim of the encounter was to address the reality of transportation on island territories of the European Union. “We are not just talking about economic problems. We are also taking about those arising from territorial disconnectivity. Europe and state governments are not sensitive enough to that situation. We are looking to analyse the different systems applied in each island territory to compensate for costs and the situation”. Furthermore, Joseph Basu, head of European services at the Corsica Transport Office, said that mutual collaboration between island regions, which share similar problems, may be beneficial for all of them. “We are here to take note of what works well for the Balearic Islands, what works well for Sardinia and what works well for Corsica in order to find a single solution that can adapt to all of them,” said Basu. Ramis gave a reminder that Europe has to approve the regulation that will govern transport grants up to 2024 and, in that respect, “this encounter must serve to set out a joint policy before the European Union so as to adapt the rules and regulations”. Over the two days, the different methods that apply to each region have been analysed, “as we have all given a different answer and none has been sufficient or definitive enough to see that citizens of island regions can access minimum services that other citizens in continental territories can,” said Ramis. The visit of the European delegation started on Monday and will continue until Tuesday. In addition to the technical meetings, the delegation will visit ports in Alcudia and Palma with the collaboration of APB.

THE APB WILL HOST THE MAIN COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS OF THE FIRST EDITION OF WORLD MARINE AIDS TO NAVIGATION DAY

17/05/2019

The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) has designated 1 July of each year as World Marine Aids to Navigation Day. This first year, in conjunction with Puertos del Estado (the Spanish State-owned Port System) and the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), IALA has chosen Palma as the venue for the main events on this day. The main events held in relation to this first edition of World Marine Aids to Navigation Day will take place in the capital city of the Balearic Islands, and will be divided into two sessions, one related to technical topics and the other dealing with institutional issues. During the conference, in which Francis Zachariae, secretary general of IALA, has confirmed his participation, debates and discussions will take place under the motto of “Successful Voyages, Sustainable Planet” revolving around the present and future challenges of marine aids to navigation for enhanced safety in navigation and maritime traffic within an increasingly digital setting that is constantly changing, while at the same time ensuring the sustainability of the marine environment. Coinciding with World Marine Aids to Navigation Day, large numbers of lighthouses and some sirens will be simultaneously lit up and activated throughout Spain for half an hour, starting at twelve noon. The APB will also take part in this initiative with all 34 of the lighthouses it runs on the Balearic Islands. Open day events In parallel to this, the APB is organising an open day including guided tours of the permanent Maritime Signalling Exhibition at the Porto Pí Lighthouse in the Port of Palma, as well as informative workshops open to the general public. The lighthouse facilities at the Cap Gros and Cap Blanc lighthouses on Mallorca, and the Favàritx lighthouse on Menorca will also be open to the public on this day. In addition, each of the 28 port authorities will carry out activities within the geographic space assigned to them in relation to marine aids to navigation with the aim of raising awareness about this service to society, such as open days at certain lighthouses, conferences, photography competitions and other initiatives. Anyone interested may check the websites of each port authority, as well as other media venues, to learn about how to participate in these activities.

THE APB ORGANISES IN IBIZA THE 8TH INTERNAL LEGAL CONFERENCE ON THE STATE PORTS-OWNED PORT SYSTEM

10/05/2019

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) and Puertos del Estado [State Ports] organised the 8th Internal Legal Conference on the State Ports-owned Port System, which took place in Ibiza on 9th and 10thMay. The State Attorney General, Consuelo Castro de Rey, and the president of the APB, Joan Gual de Torrella, were in charge of presenting and opening the conference. The president of the APB welcomed the attendees, highlighting the opportunity these types of conferences provide for sharing mutual knowledge between ports "with models that are very different to one another". The State Attorney General showed her gratitude for being able to chair the conference, which she pointed out is of great benefit for all professionals working in collaboration between the ports and the State Legal Service. In this sense, she stated that this conference stands out due to the carefully-chosen topics to be dealt with and the quality of the speakers. In this annual conference coordinated by the Deputy Director of State Ports Legal Services, José Antonio Morillo, the following topics were discussed over the two days: the latest developments on law and procurement in the port system, the experience of the APB in the implementation of electronic administration and procurement, and also the rethinking of judicial control over the administration's actions, among others. The extensive programme planned for these two days, which included the participants visiting the ports of Ibiza and La Savina, came to a close with the intervention of prominent speakers and experts in the field of Port Law such as Daniel Sarmiento, lawyer in the firm Uría-Menéndez, Mario Díaz Millán, Technical General Vice-Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works, and Rafael Fernández Valverde, Judge of the Supreme Court and member of the General Council of the Judiciary, among other noteworthy professionals. Participating in this 8th conference were representatives of the State Legal Service, State Ports, the port authorities of Avilés, Bilbao, Motril, Vigo, Castellón, Santander, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Gijón, Bahía de Algeciras, Ceuta, Tarragona, A Coruña, Alicante, Las Palmas, Cartagena, Valencia and the Balearic Islands, as well as independent professionals.

THE APB WILL BEGIN IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN SEPTEMBER ON THE CRUISE SHIP DOCK AT THE PORT OF MAHON

02/05/2019

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) will begin the improvement works on the cruise ship dock at the Port of Mahon in September, to not disrupt the activities of these ships during the tourist season, after awarding the works to Vías y Construcciones, S.A. for 4,490,405.34 euros. This construction company will start work on the refurbishment and structural improvement of the east mooring of the cruise ship dock at the Port of Mahon on 10 September 2019. Specifically, it will rebuild the central 63-metre section of the mooring, which in total is 575 metres long, rebuilding the posts that support the main structure. These posts have seen significant wear over time, as this part of the mooring was built in the 70s. These works will guarantee the useful life of the mooring for the next fifty years, ensuring a quality service for vessels of over 239 metres in length. In 2019, the Port of Mahon will receive seventy stopovers of cruise ships with approximately 51,834 passengers.

THE APB JOINS THE BASURALEZA CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS AT MARINAS

26/04/2019

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) took part today in a presentation of the LIBERA project, launched by the Spanish Ornithological Society (SEO/Birdlife) in alliance with Ecoembes. The key message of the campaign is to not throw waste into the sea, as our litter will be the only thing that survives (“No tires residuos al mar. En el fondo lo único que sobrevive es tu basura”). This is an awareness-raising campaign that seeks to stop littering at ports and to provide solutions for the community of people who use sports vessels. This presentation, which took place at the 36th Palma International Boat Show, marks the beginning of three days of meetings and round tables. At this event, the LIBERA project, in collaboration with the Reina Sofía Foundation and the APB, will provide information about basuraleza (a term coined to represent the concept of littered nature). There will also be a range of workshops for all parties involved in port activities, to promote good practices at marinas and to reduce the dumping of waste into the sea.