THE PRESIDENT OF THE PORT AUTHORITY OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AND THE MAYOR OF PALMA TOUR THE RIA DE HUELVA PROMENADE AS A MODEL TO BE APPLIED IN THE CAPITAL OF MALLORCA
13/09/2018The presidents of the Port Authorities of Huelva and the Balearic Islands, José Luis Ramos and Joan Gual de Torrella, along with the mayors of Palma and Huelva, Antoni Noguera and Gabriel Cruz, held a meeting at the Port of Huelva facilities in order to learn about and analyse the Port-City model and urban development project implemented by the Port of Huelva along the Ria Promenade in order to apply this model in the capital of Mallorca. As part of this delegation, a team of experts from both entities participated in the session. Accordingly, the president of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands stated that, “the port of Palma is going to experience a radical transformation in which the public will play the leading role. The port of Palma,” he added, “is an urban port and Palma is a port city, so the integration of these spaces must be as friendly as possible”. According to José Luis Ramos, the Ria Promenade represents “a role model of urban development in opening up the port to the city of Huelva, making it the perfect setting for all the city’s inhabitants to enjoy, bolstering tourism and economic growth in the city”. He highlighted that the Ria Promenade is “a strong commitment to the combination of sustainability and port-city integration, enabling the public to come to the estuary and enjoy nature in the Marismas de Odiel Natural Area”. The mayor of Huelva noted that “thanks to the Port, Huelva has opened up to the sea through a public space that offers new healthy recreational options for everyone. It’s not just about bringing the city closer to the estuary, but rather, placing our resources, the sea, at the disposal of the citizens of Huelva in order to make a direct impact to enhance the quality of life in the city”. Thus, Gabriel Cruz acknowledged that, “the Port is one of the most significant drivers of infrastructure and investments made in Huelva in recent years,” asserting that, “in the economic model that the Huelva City Council implemented in December for the city's development and progress, the Port of Huelva is one of the mainstays”. The mayor of Palma, Antoni Noguera, stated that over the course of the visit “together with the city of Huelva, its port authority and the City Council we have seen an example for gaining an emblematic space such as the Ria Promenade, and they have explained to us the process, construction and philosophy behind this model”. He emphasised that, “this is a perfect model for the city of Palma and its seafront promenade, which is currently a highway, but which we aim to transform into a core element of the city and green space for the public to enjoy”. After the meeting held at the Port Authority offices, the delegation toured the Ria Promenade facilities and the expansion work being done at the junction between the Tinto Docks and the Levante Pier to gain first-person insight about this urban planning project in order to apply it to the remodelling project to be undertaken for the Palma Seafront Promenade in the Balearic port. Thus, the port authorities of the two cities have commenced a partnership for port-city development, integrating cities and their port areas, and tourism growth. The Ria Promenade, located on the left bank of the Odiel River, spans a length of more than one thousand two hundred fifty metres and is eighty metres wide. This space, which was awarded in 2016 the Andalusia Urban Development Prize, in the category of best project executed, granted by the Regional Department of the Environment and Land Planning of the Government of Andalusia, is part of a major project in the Port of Huelva aimed at the modernisation and environmental recovery of the left bank of the Odiel River. Here, local plant species have been planted and a pedestrian path has been created, extending four kilometres from Sebo Point to the Tinto Dock, where the latest expansion work is underway on the section running toward the old Pertrechos Dock. This expansion leads from Ria Promenade to the heart of the city, prolonging this emblematic project within the strategic approach of proximity and integration of the port into the city of Huelva.
THE APB INSTALLS MOBILE SPEED DETECTORS TO CONTROL MAXIMUM SAILING SPEEDS IN THE PORTS OF IBIZA AND LA SAVINA
11/09/2018The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) is installing mobile speed detectors in the ports of Ibiza and La Savina to regulate and control the maximum sailing speeds in the waters at these two ports of general interest. The measure was implemented this week and will be tested until mid-October. Checks are being carried out by Port Police officers on a random basis. The Ibiza and Formentera ports are the first to implement this mobile speed control system, although the APB plans to extend it to the rest of the ports it manages. Once the trial period is over, the Port Police will proceed to report any potential offenders in line with this speed control method using mobile radars. The APB has reminded both the shipping companies and nautical facilities at the ports of Ibiza and La Savina of the fact that there are port ordinances in force establishing the regulation of maximum sailing speeds in the waters of both ports and has also provided them with the areas for their application. Port ordinances The aim of these port ordinances is to regulate the maximum sailing speeds of ships and vessels at ports. The Port of Ibiza has two areas of application: the Botafoc dock and the Interior dock. In the Botafoc dock area, the maximum speed for any type of ship or vessel is set at eight knots or steerageway speed, while in the interior dock, the maximum speed is six knots or steerageway speed. In the port of La Savina, the ordinance also establishes two areas of application however, in this case a distinction is made between the internal water area (zone I) and the external water area (zone II). In Zone I, the maximum sailing speed for any type of ship or vessel is set at six knots or steerageway speed. While in zone II, the maximum speed is fifteen knots, which will need to be gradually reduced in approach courses until reaching a maximum of six knots or steerageway speed, when approaching the entrance of the port.
THE PORT AUTHORITY OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS INSTALLS PORTABLE AWNINGS AT THE PORTS OF IBIZA AND LA SAVINA
11/09/2018The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has launched an upgrade plan for the creation of portable shaded areas at the ports of Ibiza and La Savina. At present, a total of ten portable units have been installed (with a surface area of three by five metres and around two metres high) in order to provide shade and shelter in the port service areas. These portable awnings have been placed in passenger loading and unloading areas, at bus and taxi stops and in the surroundings of the La Savina and Formentera harbour stations at the port of Ibiza. This is a pilot test in order for the APB to try out (both in terms of effectiveness and aesthetics) this type of portable awning used to provide protection from the sun and rain, according to the requirements of the season. This measure has been implemented in September as it is considered a variable month in terms of weather (with both sunny and rainy days) and will be on trial throughout the whole month. The cost of renting these portable awnings is fifteen thousand euros, with the possibility of purchasing them if they are successful. Shade for taxis It is also worth mentioning that Ibiza City Council has installed marquees to provide shelter for customers at the taxi rank at the temporary Botafoc harbour station at the port of Ibiza.
THE PANEL ASSESSES THIRTEEN PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR THE IDEAS COMPETITION RELATING TO THE URBAN REDEVELOPMENT OF CONTRAMOLL-MOLLET AT THE PORT OF PALMA.
06/09/2018The panel appointed to study and assess the thirteen ideas submitted relating to the urban redevelopment of the Contramuelle-Mollet at the Port of Palma convened today. In this first meeting, a general overview of the proposals was undertaken and score criteria were considered. The thirteen proposals, which were submitted under a slogan so as to maintain anonymity, were accepted by the members of the panel, who have indicated that the decision will be announced at the end of September. According to Joan Gual de Torrella, president of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), the competition aims find the best way to connect the port spaces with the requirements of the city. “The Port of Palma is an urban port and Palma is a port city,” said Gual, who believes that there are areas that "do not encourage citizens to enjoy them”. As such, this initiative seeks to obtain a “qualitative change so that the Contramuelle-Mollet becomes a pedestrian walkway”. Joan Gual is chair of the panel, which also consists of APB specialists and representatives of the Association of Civil Engineers (CICCP), the Architects Association of the Balearic Islands (COAIB), the Council of Mallorca, the Council of Palma and of the Maritime Museum of Mallorca. The prestigious architects Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra and Carlos Puente also form part of the panel. Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra, an architect from Seville, is a honorary professor and director of the international architecture workshop at Catedra Blanca. Some of his most noteworthy work includes the Navigation Pavilion at Expo 92, Planning of the Maritime Seafront in Vigo, Museo del Mare in Genoa, Convention Centre of Seville and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Luxemburg. Carlos Puente is from Bilbao and became an architect at the Higher School of Architecture of Madrid (ETSAM). He is currently an associate professor of architectural projects at the ETSAM and at the San Pablo University Foundation (CEU). He has been in charge of many important projects, such as the Casa de las Conchas in Salamanca, the Palacio de Linares in Madrid for the headquarters of Casa de América and the Faculty of Pharmacy in Alcalá de Henares, among others. Port-city The ideas competition relating to the redevelopment of the Contramuelle-Mollet area at the Port of Palma aims to reorganise that specific port area. It follows the dynamic initiative already underway by the APB to integrate the port into the city for the benefit of users, locals and tourists. Up for grabs in the competition is a first prize of €20,000, two second prizes of €10,000 and three third prizes of €5,000.
The APB enables the online creation of meteorological and ocean alerts for its ports through SAMOA
04/09/2018The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has made the Environmental Scorecard (CMA) available to the public, a service that it launched through the SAMOA project (Meteorological and Oceanographic Support System of the Port Authority). It is a free platform where ocean-meteorological information (wind and waves) can be displayed in both real time and as three-day forecasts. In order to access the Environmental Scorecard, users need to register through the Weather Forecast service at www.portsdebalears.com. Once in the application, users can request the basic mode to access the real-time modules, forecasts and measuring station reports for the ports of general interest in the Balearic archipelago. On the other hand, you can also request a more comprehensive mode to access all modules regarding the selected ports (Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and La Savina). Another key service on the application is the creation of alerts to keep users updated on a daily basis regarding the forecasts at the ports managed by the APB. All you need to do is go to the “Alerts” tab and configure the alerts with your chosen parameters—forecasts for waves and sea level, time series and maps. Users can select a port and a point on which they wish to receive information. A list will then be displayed below to configure the alerts available, which they can receive in two ways: via SMS on their mobile phone or by email. SAMOA 2 Given the success and how well received the SAMOA project has been, State Ports is now launching the SAMOA 2 project. The APB has already signed an agreement with State Ports to be able to check the agitation and current forecast in the inner area of the Port of Palma and the application Oil Spill to predict the trajectory of oil spills in all of its ports. In addition, for Alcudia a very high resolution atmospheric model and another pollutant dispersion model will be used. SAMOA is a project that is co-funded by the port authorities and State Ports and which aims to provide the ports with personalised consultation and operating systems regarding oceanographic and meteorological information. There are a total of 18 port authorities participating in the project run by State Ports. Its main aim is to make personalised ocean-meteorological information available to each port authority which is adapted to their needs. The service consists of different modules (improved instruments and new forecasting systems), which are accompanied by value-added systems to allow for better operation. Create your weather alerts at www.portsdebalears.com.
THE PORT AUTHORITY OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS INFORMS SOLVALGARAY MARÍTIMA THAT IT HAS INITIATED PROCEEDINGS ON THE EXPIRY OF THE CAR PARK CONCESSION AT THE PORT OF LA SAVINA
30/08/2018The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has informed the company Solvalgaray Marítima S.L. that it has initiated legal proceedings regarding the expiry of the license for the car park building at the Port of la Savina. The APB grants the company 15 days from the date of notification to submit any arguments they deem appropriate. The APB believes that this decision is justified by the need to protect the satisfaction of public interest from the incompliance of the obligations undertaken by the concessionaire, who is preventing the public purpose from being fulfilled. Last June, faced with a constant breach of the concessionaire's obligations, the APB informed Solvalgaray Marítima that it was initiating a fact-finding period due to a potential breach of the terms of the concession. After receiving the arguments from the concessionaire, the APB issued a report highlighting the concessionaire's refusal to comply with the terms and conditions and provide a solution to the car rental companies located at the Port of la Savina in order for them to continue to conduct their business within the car park building. According to the APB, the concessionaire must give preference to the car rental companies that were already operating at the Port of la Savina, with regards to any new requests, when assigning the new premises. The APB has informed the concessionaire on numerous occasions of the requirement to comply with the terms and conditions governing the contract. In addition, in the opinion of the APB, Solvalgaray Marítima must respect, as maximum prices, the maximum amounts that it bid and for which it was granted the concession. The APB has also informed the car rental companies involved that the concessionaire must comply with the economic conditions set out in the tender by means of which it was awarded the concession. Closed to the public The car park building at la Savina has remained closed to the public since the completion of the works carried out on it due to the fact that the APB has not approved the operating rules, as it believes that Solvalgaray Marítima is in breach of the contract for operation. The non-existence of these operating rules does not mean that the car rental companies cannot be assigned premises, when even the maximum prices that the concessionaire can receive are public and known, and thus comply with what is set out in the terms and conditions and the license.
The APB closes the 2017 financial statements with a profit of 20.5 million euros
28/08/2018The financial statements of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) pertaining to financial year 2017 show a profit of 20.5 million euros, an increase of 3.9 % with regards to the year before when the profit exceeded 19.7 million euros. Furthermore, the turnover in 2017 was 73 million euros, exceeding the 2016 figures (with 69 million euros), maintaining zero long-term debt and the healthy financial situation of the entity. All ports except for the Port of Palma showed an increase in this section with regards to 2016. Therefore, the Port of Palma reported a net business turnover of 41 million euros, the Port of Ibiza 20.3 million, Alcudia 4.9 million, La Savina 2.4 million and, finally, the Port of Mahon 4.1 million euros. The APB has just published its 2017 financial statements at www.portsdebalears.com along with the audit report by the General State Comptroller through the Regional Audit Body of the Balearic Islands. The financial statements were drawn up based on the port authority's accounting records ending 31 December 2017, which were produced pursuant to current legal accounting provisions and on the instructions issued by State Ports. They portray a true and fair image of the assets, the financial position and results, and also of the accuracy of the cash flows included in the cash flow statement. These financial statements were approved by the APB's Board of Directors on 27 June 2018. The full document is available at www.portsdebalears.com.
PORT ACTIVITY EXPERIENCED SUSTAINED GROWTH IN 2017
23/08/2018During the last financial year, port activity on the Balearic Islands followed the general growth pattern experienced in recent years, set against a booming socio-economic context. This is evident from the Annual Report and Sustainability Report of 2017, recently published by the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB). Freight and passenger traffic at APB ports reached a new all-time high in 2017 with 15.4 million tonnes and 8.1 million passengers recorded, respectively. Recreational sailing continues to grow and consolidate with a leading global presence. In this regard, the APB is planning the future redevelopment of the industrial area in Palma, which would facilitate space for longer vessels, while new spaces in Mahon and Alcudia, currently in a tender process, will be created. All data The APB has released the Annual Report and Sustainability Report for 2017. Both studies cover all of the port authority's activity from last year and can be consulted on the APB's website, serving as an indication of their commitment to transparent management. These two documents contain specific data on all projects undertaken in 2017 and in relation to the economic, social and environmental evolution of the general ports of interest managed by the APB. They also indicate the functioning of the organisation and its governing bodies, infrastructures built or under way, an overview of investments, port use data, regular shipping lines, port companies and services, as well as traffic statistics. Lastly, the reports reveal the positive trends in relation to sustainability and development of infrastructure, as well as the updates and improvements of information systems and access to the electronic administration, as well as the consolidation of planned measures in the field of corporate social responsibility. Like previous years, you may consult the detailed information contained in these reports as well as other aspects that may be of interest. They are published at www.portsdebalears.com
Complete renovation of former APB building put out to tender
17/08/2018The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has put out to tender a contract for the renovation of the building at Moll Vell no. 3 at the Port of Palma, where the authority was located before moving to the current building at Moll Vell no. 5. Therefore, after the now tendered renovation, the APB premises will consist of two buildings: the current office building and the future institutional building, the renovation of which is now being put out to tender.The tender amount is 5.5 million euros plus VAT with an 18-month completion term for the works. It should be remembered that after studying the building's properties with regards to structure, there was a period to study and determine the uses according to the social needs of the APB, as well as its economic feasibility and management. The corresponding dossiers to draw up proposals for the business model, feasibility study and preliminary design were therefore contracted for the purposes of creating an exhibition and restaurant area, which were carried out by the company VMA Arquitectura. Now, after the business model has been validated, the tender is being put out for the refurbishment of the former offices, bearing in mind the proximity of the building to the city's historic centre and the tourist bus stop. The project aims to give the building a practical use and at the same time contribute to its preservation by creating a City-Port visitor centre, in addition to setting up part of this infrastructure for use by the APB as a newspaper archive, library and meeting room for the Board of Directors, along with a new restaurant, the operation of which will be subject to an administrative license. The intention of the project is to create a functional building that maintains the institutional feel in the northern third of the building and enables the successful tenderer to properly exploit the different uses envisaged. Its exceptional location, with sweeping views of the Cathedral, Parque del Mar, La Lonja, Paseo Sagrera, the Port (fishermen's area) and Bay of Palma, facing eastwards, southwards and westwards respectively, allows for a layout that takes advantage of the light and view constraints. The project entails the demolition of the existing parking area and fencing, as well as the whole interior of the building with the exception of the main staircase with its skylight and the current façade. It should be noted that the existing building forms part of the memory of the place from a historical and heritage perspective. It is a historicist construction built in stone and dating back to the first half of the last century. Therefore, the original façades will be preserved and restored so as to be added and adapted to the new building. The renovation of the southern façade will create larger openings and a space connecting to the Paseo de la Escollera, which will extend the city out towards the sea. For information and specifications, see the APB's Tender Portal.
The APB launches the surveys with a view to drafting the Strategic Plan
09/08/2018The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has started drafting its Strategic Plan which will address the future of the five ports it manages (Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and la Savina). The APB intends for it to be a useful tool for guiding and prioritising its activities over the next few years. At the same time, it will offer transparency as it establishes and explains the different APB projects in a coherent manner to the institutional, financial and social entities. The resulting dialogue and collaboration with them will help the ports offer the best possible service. To draw up the Strategic Plan, the APB has engaged the services of a joint venture that comprises Teirlog Ingeniería and Estrada Port Consulting. The work is expected to last approximately 15 months and the Plan will be valid for 10 years. A participatory process During those months, a participatory process will be launched in order to bring together and listen to the input of the whole port community and all the public and private stakeholders regarding the ports of general interest and the lighthouses on the Balearic Islands. The idea of the public participation arose from the desire to achieve more efficient and competitive ports, and that their main lines of activity –freight and passenger traffic, recreational boating and the cruise market– are in keeping with the needs of users and with the territorial strategy of the island and the sustainable development of the environment. Those interested in completing the questionnaire and participating in this drafting process of the Strategic Plan can do it via the APB website (www.portsdebalears.com) through a campaign the public body has set up called #APORTA, under the slogan ‘We want to hear from you’. Complete the questionnaire (link)
Formalities regarding the redevelopment of the seafront promenade in Palma move forward
08/08/2018The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has put out to tender a contract for the drafting of the Construction and Works Management Project for the redevelopment of the seafront promenade in Palma. The tender amount is 550,280 euros plus VAT and the deadline for tenders is 14 September. Those interested can submit their tenders via the APB's Electronic Tender Portal. The stretch to redevelop comprises the area between Avenida Argentina and Porto Pí, up to the roundabout connecting Avenida de Joan Miró. Once the contract has been awarded, the APB will launch a new process for the execution of the works. This new tender process is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2019 so that the works can start in the autumn. The project entails all the guidelines established by the Council of Palma, which includes improving access to the seafront promenade for nearby neighbourhoods and that of Bellver, as well as improving the transversal patency between the port and the city. The specifications, for guidance purposes, set out certain suggestions of the Council of Palma regarding the redistribution of surface areas and uses, which are based on changing the current proportions of 50% allocated to vehicles and 50% to green spaces and cycling and pedestrian areas. The new proportions proposed by the Council point to a surface area of 75% allocated to green spaces and to pedestrian, cycling and outdoor seating areas, and the remaining 25% to vehicles on a single surface road. With regard to the individual traffic lanes, and in order achieve the suggested surface area percentages, reducing the 3 one-directional lanes to 2 has been proposed, adjusting their width and reducing the number of parking spaces on them. In this regard, a mobility study has been conducted using real-time simulations to ensure the viability of reducing the traffic lanes. The study concluded that such reduction is viable and no traffic congestion was seen. Furthermore, the final project will consider reducing the traffic speed to less than 50 km/h, giving greater priority to the cycle lane along the seafront and commencing the improvement works on the pavement surfaces, facilitating end-to-end journeys for bikes in harmony with outdoor seating, vegetation, benches and car parks, as well as other aspects geared towards "humanising" and "oxygenating" this emblematic area of Palma, a feature of its maritime façade.
