News APB | Ports de Balears

The bid of Club Náutico de Ibiza chosen as the proposal of greatest port interest for the Port of Ibiza

19/07/2017

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has approved the concession bid submitted by Club Náutico de Ibiza, as the proposal of greatest port interest, to construct and operate a maritime facility at the Port of Ibiza. The technical committee, which was responsible for assessing the proposals submitted in the tender process, considered the proposal of Club Náutico de Ibiza to be of greater interest to the port than any other. The president of the APB was informed of the decision and he submitted it to the Board of Directors for its subsequent approval. The proposal of Club Náutico de Ibiza envisages an investment of 7.5 million euros and a 35-year management term. Club Náutico de Ibiza ended its concession related to mooring management at the Port of Ibiza in 2010. Since then, it has operated in the marina by means of temporary occupational authorisations. In 2015, by virtue of Article 86 of the Consolidated Text of the Law on State Ports and the Merchant Navy (TRLPEMM), Club Náutico de Ibiza presented a bid for a new concession regarding a social maritime facility, with 80% allocation to vessels under 12 metres. Three proposals were submitted in the tender process launched by the APB. In February 2017, the Board of Directors of the APB approved the criteria that had to be followed in choosing the proposal of greatest interest to the port in this tender process. Finally, the technical committee selected that of Club Náutico de Ibiza as the best proposal.

The APB modernises the system for accessing the dry dock ramps at the Port of Palma

18/07/2017

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has modernised the system for accessing the dry dock ramps of Troneras and Roquetas, which are located in the area of Portitxol at the Port of Palma. Users will have to replace their key with a card that they can collect from the APB offices. Port Authority of the Balearic Islands Provision of services Customer service opening hours: 09:00 to 14:00 Address: Moll Vell 3-5 07012 Palma For further information: 971 22 81 53 / prestaciondeservicios@portsdebalears.com

The APB and the Palma City Council present the promenade reform project to hotel sector representatives

17/07/2017

Joan Gual de Torrella, president of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), Antoni Noguera, mayor of Palma, and José Hila, councillor for City Model, Urbanisation and Decent Housing, this afternoon presented representatives of the hotel sector the basic promenade reform project. Inmaculada de Benito, manager of the Mallorca Hoteliers Federation, and Joan Vich, president of the Hoteliers Association of Palma, both attended the event. The project is to be carried out from Avenida Argentina to the Palma Auditorium. The project is a joint initiative between the APB and the Palma City Council to restore the Passeig Marítim as a true promenade and a space that can be used for the leisure of all citizens. The idea is to eliminate one traffic lane in each direction and to increase the pedestrian area. The improvement entails a transformation of the space, widening pedestrian areas close to both the buildings and the beach, widening and improving the bike lane, increasing green spaces and trees, and creating two big, high-quality public spaces near the Auditorium and Plaza Santo Domingo de la Calzada.

Juan Antonio García's last guided tour at the Porto Pi lighthouse

12/07/2017

Juan Antonio García, one of the most emblematic and loved lighthouse-keepers on the islands, retires after dedicating 43 years to lighthouses. Juan Antonio has worked as a navigation support system specialist in several locations around the Balearic Islands, including at the Cala Figuera, Cap d'Artrutx and the Cabo Gros (Sóller) lighthouses. In addition to this work, he also gave guided tours around the permanent Señales Marítimas exhibition at the Porto Pi lighthouse. Today Juan, celebrating his 65th birthday and last day as a lighthouse-keeper, wanted to make the most of the visit of Joan Gual de Torrella, President of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, and Llorenç Huguet, Dean of the University of the Balearic Islands, to give his last guided tour of the lighthouse. The tour will certainly be one of his most memorable. Juan Antonio García said: "I have be able to see how lighthouses have gone from operating with electricity, solar panels and now with LED technology. This automation has meant that there are increasing fewer lighthouse-keepers. There were 26 of us when I started. Now I'm leaving behind just 2." The exhibition room will remain temporarily closed to the public while preparations are being completed for the start of a new era with longer visiting hours that could stretch to weekends. The retirements of Juan Antonio García and Pedro Vidal, a Capdepera lighthouse-keeper, have been the most significant this year.

The APB installs a sensor network to measure air pollution at the Port of Palma

12/07/2017

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) and the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) unveil the installation of a sensor network that will measure air and noise pollution at the Port of Palma with the aim of analysing the environmental impact of port activity. Known as SmartSensPORT-PALMA, this network was the result of the agreement signed last July between the APB and the UIB. The university was responsible for conducting the technical study to install this measurement equipment at the ports of general interest of Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and La Savina, as well as analysing the data collected at the Port of Palma. This first network comprises 8 devices that have been placed at the West Dock, the Porto Pi signal tower and lighthouse, the number 3 Harbour Station, the Can Barbarà dock area, the Sa Quarentena Park, the Mollet opposite dock area, commercial docks and the historic site of the APB. The moment scheduled to start taking measurements coincides with the busiest months in terms of port activity i.e., the number of vessels at the Port of Palma. This helps determine the highest levels of impact of this activity on the atmosphere. Samples will be taken over the course of one year. Once the study has finished, a multi-disciplinary research team from the UIB coordinated by Dr. Bartolomé Alord will analyse the data collected at this Port. The aim is to correlate the air and noise pollution levels with the activity carried out at the port, and determine how this affects the city. President of the APB, Joan Gual de Torrella, said, "we want to check the environmental impact of the port activity and its disruption in recent months due to an increase in the number of cruise ships, and thoroughly study through collaborative efforts with the UIB how the city is affected so that we can act accordingly". Rector of the University, Llorenç Huguet, added that "the team leading the study is an interdisciplinary group made up of specialists capable of conducting a rigorous in-depth analysis of the environmental behaviour of the port". The APB has invested slightly more than €40,000 for the purpose of procuring and placing these sensors, which were then installed by the company Mallorca Wifi. The APB aims to roll out this experience at the other ports of general interest of the Balearic Islands.

Menorca Island Council and the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands sign memorandum of understanding on the Cós Nou access road from the La Mola highway

07/07/2017

Menorca Island Council and the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) have signed a memorandum of understanding on the Cós Nou access road from the La Mola highway. Pursuant to this memorandum, the island institution has agreed to include the road in the new Sectoral Highway Master Plan and the Port Authority, for its part, has agreed to study and begin the process in order for the road to become the property of the Council. In addition, by signing this memorandum of understanding, the will of both administrations to move forward with the improvement project between Sa Colársega and the new road, works that are necessary in order for port traffic to move in a safer manner towards this highway, can be clearly seen. This memorandum of understanding will be accompanied, further down the line, by an agreement allowing the improvement works on the La Mola highway to be carried out with all legal guarantees.

The exhibition ''An eye in the sky 1939-1945. The strategic significance of Balearic Island Ports during World War II’ arrives in Menorca

07/07/2017

Yesterday afternoon, the President of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), Joan Gual de Torrella, the assistant director of the Department of Geography at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Joana Maria Petrus, and lecturer in Physical Geography at the UIB, Cels García, along with the chairman of the Isla del Rey Hospital Foundation, Luís Alejandre, opened the exhibition 'An eye in the sky. 1939-1945. The strategic significance of Balearic Island Ports during World War II', a collection of unseen aerial photographs of the island ports of general interest, showing that they became key surveillance points during World War II. Despite their non-belligerent stance, the island ports were very much noticed and observed by the intelligence services of the two fronts due to their geostrategic 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 services and, so as to extend it to Balearic society, this exhibition has been launched in conjunction with the APB. The fact that the exhibition is being held on the Isla del Rey (which translates as 'island of the king') gives the visitor the opportunity to take a boat ride out to this unique area of the port of Mahon, allowing them to round off their visit, if they wish, by visiting the hospital that provided such great service in its day and which the Isla del Rey Hospital Foundation keeps alive by means of its intense cultural activity. Joana Maria Petrus pointed out, "From the very beginning, we found the economic and professional support we needed to carry out the research", while Cels García noted, "We are very happy because this exhibition is the fruit of 9 years of research." The chairman of the Isla del Rey Hospital Foundation, Luís Alejandre, stated, "We began working alongside the UIB and APB on this project with great enthusiasm from the moment the proposal was made to put on the exhibition on Isla del Rey", to which the President of the APB, Joan Gual de Torrella, added, "There is no reason not to collaborate on initiatives like this. Moreover, Isla del Rey is, without a doubt, the best place to hold this exhibition." A travelling exhibition The exhibition, consisting of 16 panels with a large number of photographs and detailed explanatory texts, has been touring the different ports of general interest in the Balearic Islands since May this year. After stopping in Palma and Alcudia, its next dates are: Mahon. Illa del Rei Hospital Foundation, from 6th to 29th July. On 7th, 10th, 12th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 24th, 26th and 28th departure from Cala Fonts - Es Castell with Lazareto boat at 6.30pm, return at 8pm. On Thursday 13th, 20th and 27th at 10.30am, coinciding with the visit of the Yellow catamaran to the island, and Sunday 9th, 16th and 23rd at 8.45am and 10.45am. For further information see www.islahospitalmenorca.org. Ibiza. Club Náutico de Ibiza, from 4th to 29th August, 9am to 9pm. La Savina. Estación Marítima [Harbour Station], from 4th to 30th September all day.

The APB launches the Beautification Plan for la Savina Port

06/07/2017

The Balearic Islands' Port Authority (APB) launches the "Conditioning of roads and pedestrian zones" project, which will provide la Savina port with infrastructure more adapted to the port's current needs making the infrastructure more convenient for its users. This improvement project, which is being drawn up and will begin in the next few months, consists, on the one hand, of the reorganisation, improvement and adaptation of the car park area located at the north side of la Savina Port, and, on the other hand, the conditioning of the port's roads and pedestrian areas. The completion of the works at the new Formentera Maritime Station in 2006 and all these years of use have highlighted that the progressive increase of users requires action to optimise the flow of passengers and vehicles that access this station on a daily basis. In order to meet these needs, it is intended, firstly, to condition the car park area located at the north side of la Savina Port, creating two car park strips (cars and trucks) at the same level and rearranging internal traffic inside the car park. The investment made by the APB for this first phase is €600,000. On the other hand, and in order to enhance pedestrian areas, it is intended to homogenise the whole area and provide Formentera's residents with an area for their enjoyment in the port area, the Beautification Plan includes the conditioning of roads and pedestrian access areas. More than ten companies have been put forward for the preliminary project phase. The investment for this second phase amounts to €6 million and will run between 2018 and 2019.

The APB restores La Caseta and El Moll de ses Monges at La Isla del Rey, Maó Port

06/07/2017

The Balearic Islands' Port Authority (APB) has restored La Caseta and El Moll de ses Monges, located at La Isla del Rey, Maó Port. Infrastructure that the APB makes available to the public and that will be a substantial improvement for La Isla del Rey Hospital Foundation's needs. The small De ses Monges dock has been rebuilt by Naviera Daedalus S.L. with a budget of €54,441.06 and La Caseta has been restored by EHM, Contrata, Dirección Gestión de Obras 2004 S.L., with an investment of €19,227. The dock received this name because nuns who worked at La Isla del Rey Hospital used to come here to bathe. La Caseta was their dressing room and, in the stone baths that can be seen in this area, some sick people who needed it for their treatment received salt water baths. La Isla del Rey Hospital Foundation is a private, non-profit entity that promotes and protects La Isla del Rey through a number of activities and events. Please visit www.islahospitalmenorca.org for more information about Maó Port Activities.

The pay parking system at the Port of Mahon comes into operation

22/06/2017

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has put a new pay parking system into operation in the port area of Mahon. The system, which was launched last Monday, will be in operation until 30 September, coinciding with the busiest months. The aim is to encourage vehicle rotation in the area. Furthermore, the APB has made 100 free parking spaces available in the area of Cala Figuera, adding to the 25 free ones located on the road to Punta des Rellotge. Furthermore, 90 motorbike parking spaces have also been made available. The times will be different to those in Mahon, with the night-time hours slightly extended. A fee will be paid to park between 9am and 2pm and 5.30pm and 10.30pm, Monday to Saturday. The set fee will be the same as in the city of Mahon (€0.50 for twenty minutes and €1.50 per hour). In order to benefit those who use the area on a regular basis, an orange zone has been created in the area of s’Hort Nou with a reduced fee of €0.20 per hour and a maximum stay of 8 hours. The 11 parking meters installed in the area allow users to obtain tickets for the blue zone and the orange zone.

The APB installs latest LED technology in 13 of its lighthouses

07/06/2017

Over the last few weeks, the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has been installing a new type of LED lamp in 4 of its lighthouses. These include the Punt Avançada, Cap Salines, Cap Blanc and Sa Creu lighthouses, all of which have an average nominal range of between 13 and 15 nautical miles. The LEDs lamps have been placed inside the classic glass optics, as the APB aims to keep them in service where possible in an attempt to preserve the heritage that has been providing such a quality service since the 19th century. Following these four additions, there are now 13 lighthouses that use LED lamps as a light source. In addition to the four lighthouses mentioned above, the following lighthouses use LED equipment (without classic optics): Es Vedrà, Bleda Plana and Es Penjats in Ibiza En Pou in Formentera Alcanada, Torre den Beu and Sa Mola in Mallorca Na Foradada in Cabrera and San Carles in Mahon. Why LED? The light produced by LED sources is whiter than that coming from incandescent bulbs, therefore it offers better visibility especially when there is more light exposure in areas close to the coast (towns, seafront, etc.). Meanwhile, a better ratio is achieved between the required electrical power and the light performance. Lastly, LEDs have an average lifetime of around 100,000 hours as opposed to the 2,000 hours of an incandescent light bulb, which makes it possible to stagger maintenance tasks. It is also worth pointing out that they significantly save on energy. For example, a 500-watt incandescent light bulb was replaced for a 150-watt LED bulb in the Punta Avançada and Sa Creu lighthouses. The minor consumption of LED lights in lighthouses running off solar power makes it possible to design smaller solar power systems, serving as another energy-saving strategy. Thanks to the longer average lifetime of these lights, the generation of non-recyclable waste is reduced, boosting environmental protection. The APB will monitor the performance of these new lamps for the purpose of scheduling new additions. They are currently assessing the possibility of installing a rotary system with LED lamps at the Botafoc lighthouse in Ibiza. All 28 of the coastal beacons and buoys are now using LED technology meanwhile, almost 95% of the 80 beacons at the five ports of general interest have the LED system implemented.

The APB changes the conditions of the Parking Fee at the Port of Mahon

02/06/2017

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has approved the change in the T.9.1.8. Parking Fee at the Port of Mahon. The arrival of the high season and the subsequent parking difficulties in the port area have led the APB to change the current parking regulations at the Port of Mahon. In this way, in order to encourage vehicle rotation, the 400 parking spaces in the port area will switch to pay mode as of this June until 30 September, when they will again return to their free-of-charge status. The set fee will be the same as in the city of Mahon (€0.50 for twenty minutes and €1.50 per hour). In order to benefit those who use the area on a regular basis, an orange zone has been created in the area of s’Hort Nou with a reduced fee of €0.20 per hour and a maximum stay of 8 hours. In addition, the port's parking meters will apply the same discounts as those applied in the city to holders of the residence permit. Furthermore, certain users may obtain an annual permit which will allow them to park in certain especially designated spaces. The times will be different to those in Mahon, with the night-time hours slightly extended. A fee will be paid to park between 9am and 2pm and 5.30pm and 10.30pm, Monday to Saturday. The new parking system will come into effect once installation of the whole mechanism has been completed over the coming days.