News APB | Ports de Balears

The APB publishes its Annual and Sustainability Reports

06/09/2017

Around this time each year the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) publishes two reports summarising the general status of the public body in the previous financial year. The Sustainability Report is a detailed guide offering an insight into many aspects of the Port Authority. Readers of the document can find out about the organisation's functioning, its governing bodies, the infrastructure constructed and under construction, and traffic data. They can also delve into the financial, social and environmental aspects of the public body. The Annual Report offers more specific data regarding the projects undertaken in 2016 and the economic and social progress of the ports it manages. Finding out about the current situation of a port authority, also entails finding out, to a large extent, about the economic situation of the area it is in. Therefore, each year the APB publishes both documents that compile all the financial data, traffic statistics, works undertaken and, ultimately, the evolution of Balearic port activity in the previous financial year. In general, the trend of economic recovery continues. Freight traffic continues, without change, the essential provider functions, supplying the goods and services that the Balearic Islands require. Cruise liner activity continues to strengthen, growing particularly well at the Port of Mahon. In this respect and in line with the principles established by the APB in recent years regarding environmental protection, a sensor system has been implemented that will evaluate the impact of maritime traffic (both commercial traffic and cruise liners). Finally, the Annual Report highlights that recreational sailing continues in good health and that it creates specialised employment on the islands year-on-year. With the publication of both documents, the APB continues to show the Balearic society its commitment to transparency, facilitating any information it may find useful whenever it is required. Both reports are available on: www.portsdebalears.com

The APB attends Seatrade Europe in Hamburg

06/09/2017

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) is participating at Seatrade Europe, the biggest cruise industry fair on the continent, which travels to a different European capital city every two years. On this occasion, Hamburg was chosen to host this important congress, which starts today and ends on Friday 8 September. The main representatives of the sector, as well as the most important companies, will attend the event to finalise details ahead of the start of the 2018 season. The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, under the Blue Carpet campaign of State Ports, was determined not to miss this event, as it is the perfect place in which to gauge the sector, make contacts and to find out first-hand the latest trends in cruise tourism. Furthermore, the APB will make the most of the opportunity to promote its new route around the Mediterranean islands known as West Med, which will stop at the most charming and beautiful islands in the Mediterranean: Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica and Menorca. Another event has also taken place this week, converting Hamburg into the cruise tourism capital: The Clia Summit, a networking session held yesterday to make the most of Seatrade Europe, brought together the main representatives of this economic activity. Several APB representatives attended the event to strengthen links with participants from other destinations.

The APB organises the first Innovation Session that is to be held on 15 September

04/09/2017

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) launches the first Innovation Session. The session, called "Caminando Juntos Hacia el Puerto del Futuro" [Moving Together Towards the Port of the Future], which is to be held on 15 September, will bring together the islands' main actors of economic development: the university, local authority, research centres and private companies. The APB has long since participated on and undertaken research and innovation projects. The organising of this session reaffirms the commitment of this public organisation to the progress and to the economic and social future of the islands. The initiative forms part of the project known as RamonLlull 2030, which is promoted by the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), the Government of the Balearic Islands, the Chamber of Commerce, the Palma City Council, the Architect Association of the Balearic Islands (COAIB), Endesa and the APB. The project observes and analyses the evolution of the islands' economic model and concludes that the Balearic Islands need to undertake activities that complement the tourism activity, provide added value, contribute to deseasonalisation and, above all, that have no impact whatsoever on the environment. "Moving Together Towards the Port of the Future" will take place on 15 September at the APB headquarters. Some of the innovative projects that the APB is carrying out with the promoters of the RamonLlull 2030 project will be revealed at the session. Furthermore, new challenges and opportunities that will need to be faced in forthcoming years to contribute to the economic growth of the Balearic Islands will also be debated at the event. "Moving Together Towards the Port of the Future" 15 September 2017 Headquarters of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands C/ Moll Vell 5 Limited capacity Information and bookings: www.ramonllull20130.com

La Savina, the last stop of the exhibition 'An eye in the sky 1939-1945’

01/09/2017

The smallest port managed by the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) welcomes the exhibition 'An eye in the sky. 1939-1945: the strategic significance of Balearic Island Ports during World War II'. The exhibition comprises a collection of unseen aerial photographs of the island ports of general interest, showing how they became key surveillance points during World War II. The exhibition, located at the Port of La Savina's Harbour Station, will be open to visitors from this weekend onwards until 30 September. The exhibition's 16 panels, displaying unpublished photographs and detailed explanatory texts, demonstrate how valuable our ports were to intelligence services on both sides and how observed they were due to their geo-strategic interest. A study by the Department of Geography at the UIB retrieved this photographic material, taken between 1941 and 1945 by the British and American aerial surveillance reconnaissance, with the aim of making it available to Balearic Island residents. The exhibition, which started in May, has travelled around all the islands. The ports of Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and, finally, La Savina have played host to the exhibition and all have seen an excellent turnout. The first snapshot of the La Savina concentration camp One of the features of the exhibition is the photographic material that gives us an insight into ‘Es Campament’, an important prison camp on Formentera, which was located to the south of La Savina during the post-war period (1939-1942). The exhibition, located at the Port of La Savina's Harbour Station, will be open all day to the public from this weekend onwards until 30 September.

APB hands over bust of Lieutenant General Antonio Barceló to Santa Creu parish church to mark third centenary of his birth

07/08/2017

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has today moved the bust of Lieutenant General Antonio Barceló from its location on the promenade of the Port of Palma to the Santa Cruz parish church so that it is at the forefront of the acts that are to be held to mark the third centenary of his birth. The bust weighing several tonnes, which was given to the APB by the Mallorca Chamber of Commerce, is a reminder of the work of Antonio Barceló i Pont de la Terra, appointed Lieutenant General of the Spanish Royal Armada by Charles III, who was renowned for his involvement and bravery in combating the Algerine and Barbary pirates who besieged our coasts. “Captain Toni” or “Mariner Toni”, as he was colloquially known, was born and lived and died in Palma in the house adjacent to the Santa Cruz parish, where he was a parishioner. Now, after the various tributes paid to him by different institutions on our islands and the conferences on his life held in June by the Spanish Royal Navy League Association (RLNE), the Mallorca Island Council and the 'Diario de Mallorca' Club, the Santa Cruz parish, where his remains have been laid to rest, has organised an exhibition with the objects and belongings that Captain Toni donated to this parish. The exhibition, promoted by the Rector of Santa Cruz parish, Josep Jaume, and a team comprising Miquel Deyà from the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Jaume Ferrando (APB) and representatives of the RLNE delegation in the Balearic Islands, is due to open on 17 September in the museum of the parish. The temporary donation of the stone bust from the APB and the fact that it is to be placed in the main entrance of Santa Cruz parish honours this institution's wish to join in with the tributes being paid to this distinguished figure from the Balearic Islands, with the aim of spreading the word regarding the exhibition being held in his memory as far as possible.

The exhibition "An eye in the sky" arrives in Ibiza

04/08/2017

This new travelling exhibition will open its doors today, Friday 4 August, as scheduled. This is the first time in Ibiza that visitors can see the 16 panels, displaying photographs and detailed explanatory texts, that comprise the exhibition. The exhibition, which started on 29 May at the Port of Palma and which has since visited the ports of Alcudia and Mahon with great success, can now be found at the Port of Ibiza, where it will remain until 29 August. The exhibition is located at Club Náutico de Ibiza and is open from 9 am to 9 pm. The exhibition is a visual testimony that demonstrates the strategic importance of the Balearic ports of general interest during World War II, as observed in detail by the intelligence services of both sides of the conflict. The exhibition that the APB offers its visitors has been made possible thanks to a study undertaken by the Geography Department of the University of the Balearic Islands, which compiled photographic material taken between 1941 and 1945 by the British and the North American air force. The arrival of the exhibition was largely timed to coincide with the Festes de la Terra, Ibiza's annual festival, to provide another attraction for the great influx of visitors that will no doubt be welcomed at the Port of Ibiza over the course of the popular celebration. The exhibition will end its journey at the Port of la Savina, where it will be located at the Harbour Station from 4 to 30 September.

The APB and IMEDEA research benthic biodiversity at the Port of Palma

02/08/2017

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) and the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA) have signed a research contract to analyse the seabed (benthic) biodiversity at the Port of Palma. The project, led by doctors Joan Pons from IMEDEA and Maria Capa from the NTNU University Museum in Norway, aims to compare the number and abundance of species of marine worms (annelid polychaete) present at the Port of Palma with the port areas with less human impact, such as Portitxol, and both with regards to the protected marine area of the Bay of Palma. Marine worms are excellent indicators of water quality. Therefore, the APB and IMEDEA have launched this meticulous study which, besides increasing our knowledge on the biodiversity of polychaete in the Balearic Islands, will be able to detect the presence of invasive species (introduced into the water surrounding Mallorca in boat hulls or in ballast water). Thanks to the results obtained, there will be better management of the biodiversity conservation plans and invasive species will be able to be detected and managed. The data obtained from this study may have a large impact on the Port Authorities, as they are implementing and testing a methodology that can be used in the future, thus maximising environmental control systems and control of the entry of exotic species. In addition, a database will be generated with the species identified, meaning that future monitoring campaigns can be sped up and less expensive. The first samples from the Port of Palma and Portitxol, and also in the marine reserve of the Bay of Palma, were taken in the last week of July. Over 30 sediment and hard surface scraping samples have been processed with the marine worms kept in ethanol for subsequent further study in terms of both morphology and genetics.

APB shows commitment to prevention with informative sun shades for lorries

31/07/2017

Joan Gual de Torrella, President of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), has delivered sun shades to the heads of Baleària and Trasmediterránea showing the most important safety measures that must be observed in the port area. In attendance at the event were Antoni Mercant and Eva González, representing Trasmediterránea in the Balearic Islands and Bruno Ceped, on behalf of Baleària. The shipping companies received 280 sun shades to distribute to their lorry-driving customers who visit the APB ports the most, so as to stimulate prevention and compliance with safety measures. Prevention is one of the most important work areas for the APB and reducing the accident rate in the port area is one of the objectives that this public body strives to achieve on a daily basis. These sun shades are part of a well-thought-out awareness and prevention campaign that the APB is running this year. Its target audience, the lorry drivers who visit the port area, customers of Baleària and Trasmediterránea, can see advice such as obey the speed limit, use high-visibility clothing and exercise extreme caution with pedestrians written on these sun shades, in addition to protecting themselves from the sun.

The APB puts out to tender the adaptation work on the Portocolom, Alcanada and Capdepera lighthouses

26/07/2017

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) is putting out to tender the adaptation and improvement works on the roofs of the Portocolom (Felanitx), Alcanada (Alcudia) and Capdepera lighthouses. These works mainly focus on roof repairs and internal improvements. All material that is currently in poor condition due to wear and tear over time will be replaced beams, cladding, paintwork, locks, woodwork, shutters, etc. The new materials used to replace these elements will be specially treated against pests and other agents that could cause early deterioration. Where possible, any roof tiles in a good state of repair will be reused, and the selection of new external elements will respect the traditional appearance of these lighthouses. The works will be completed within 5 months and the budget for the tender is 232, 563.45 euros. Applications can be submitted until 14:00 on 31 July, at the Registry of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (c/ MollVell 3-5 de Palma). More information in the contractor profile.

The APB repairs the fisherman's wharf at the Port of la Savina

24/07/2017

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has awarded a contract for adaptation work on the sea wall and paving of the fisherman's wharf at the Port of la Savina. The sea wall of the fisherman's wharf was part of a Port of la Savina expansion project undertaken in December 1992. The project sought to rearrange ship traffic and to create a new mooring line for smaller vessels. Over the years, the APB has, both directly and through company concessions, undertaken diverse adaptation projects of the wharf, such as the technical dock modifications for smaller fishing and leisure vessels at the Port of la Savina. After several inspections conducted during this period, it has become clear that the sea wall is not in a good condition due to defects in its construction, which would not have been possible to detect were it not for the quality control and monitoring of the works. Therefore, repair and adaptation work of the sea wall and the paving of the fisherman's wharf at the Port of la Savina is to start this autumn. The works under this project have been awarded to Matías Arrom Bibiloni S.L., for €166,000. In addition to this action, another tender process is underway for the adaptation and improvement works of the fishing quay, which has an initial budget of €538,779.30.

The APB puts the demolition works out to tender for the buildings in the Mollet opposite dock area in the Port of Palma

21/07/2017

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has put the demolition works out to tender for buildings No. 2-4 and No. 6-6A in the Mollet opposite dock area in the Port of Palma. This call for public tenders comes after the APB Board of Directors withdrew from the processing of the tender for the operation of these two buildings last February, which intended to make the buildings available to the successful bidder for use as commercial premises. With this initiative, in line with Palma City Council, the APB aims to promote the redevelopment of this area, streamlining its uses and removing any buildings that are not necessary for port activity. The demolition of these buildings will lead to the expansion of the Mollet opposite dock area and provide the port with spaces open to citizens, moving closer towards the ‘Port-City’ model sought by many cities of reference. The works have a completion term of 4 months and a tender budget of 605,930.10 euros.

The DEUP of the Port of Ibiza receives approval

19/07/2017

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has approved the Delimitation of Port Spaces and Uses (DEUP in Spanish) proposal for the Port of Ibiza. The proposal was revised and updated in view of submissions received during its processing, which started last November. The APB this afternoon approved the acceptance of said proposal and the response to the reports received. DEUP proposals are instruments included in Article 69 of the Consolidated Text of the Law on State Ports and the Merchant Navy that aim to arrange port space according to its needs. In October 2016, the proposal, which continues to be processed, replaced the one that was initially accepted by the same Board of Directors on 26 February 2015. The document had to be amended with the new uses proposed for the fisherman's wharf and the commercial quays after the agreement reached in August 2016 by the Government of the Balearic Islands, Formentera Island Council, Ibiza Council, the City Council of Ibiza and the APB to relocate the future marine traffic terminal between the ports of Ibiza and la Savina. The APB is to submit the proposal to State Ports so that, after new formalities, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport can finally give it definitive approval.