News APB | Ports de Balears

APB workers carry out maintenance on navigational guidance system between Ibiza and Formentera

07/11/2016

Navigational Guidance System technicians from the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) have taken advantage of the spell of good weather over the last couple of days to conduct maintenance of the maritime signals located between Ibiza and Formentera. The works, located at the Bajo d'en Pou marker, consisted of repairing the anchorage system of the metal column attached to the concrete foundation and the refinishing of the lower part of the column. Thanks to this maintenance activity, the maritime signalling is now prepared for seafarers over the cold months. Photo: @jmperpinya1

The APB invites tenders for the structural improvement works on “the Wall” of the Port of Ibiza

03/11/2016

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has invited tenders for the structural improvement works on the 'muelle adosado', dock joined to the counterdike of the Port of Ibiza. The project entails repairing the heel and the metal structure of this dock joined to the counterdike known as “el Muro" [the Wall]. Due to intensive use and in particular the aggressive environment they withstand due to the effect of the sea, concrete docks often show corrosion, leading to erosion, breakage and even in some cases loss of the section with the reinforcement in view. This is what has happened at the joined dock, with the edges of both the dock and the heel corroding over the years it has been in operation. With the aim of maintaining the quality of the facilities at the Port of Ibiza, the APB will improve the state of the joined dock by rectifying these flaws. In this way, it will be possible to maintain the level of safety present in the facilities of the whole port area while also improving the image of the port as a whole and, therefore, the quality of the services provided. The works are to be carried out within two months with an investment of €115,585.

The APB awards Acciona the refurbishment and improvement works on the opposite dock of the Port of Ibiza

02/11/2016

The APB has awarded Acciona Infraestructuras the contract for the refurbishment and improvement works on the Es Martell building at the Port of Ibiza. This project consists of completing the building and the landscaping and urban development of the Port's opposite dock area. The first part of this project, entailing the demolition of the old disused harbour station and the construction of the current building, was awarded to the company Corsán Corviam, SA in October 2014, however the contract was terminated by APB in July 2016 due to the company's inability to continue the works. With this new award, the works on the Es Martell building, which currently only has its framework, will be completed and the urban environment of the area improved. The works have a budget of 1.8 million euros and are to be carried out within 6 months.

The APB awaits Environmental Impact Statement from the Ministry of the Environment for Molinar expansion

27/10/2016

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) is awaiting the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) from the Ministry of the Environment with regards to the project to expand the Molinar de Levante Maritime Club. If confirmed that the contents of this report are already in the hands of the maritime club, as various media have reported today, this would entail a data leak. Once the APB has the environmental impact statement, it will be included in the file along with the other documents submitted in the application for extending the concession period. The EIS is another step in this administrative process however it is not a decisive factor if it favours the extension. Next, the APB will assess all of the reports and arguments submitted and take this decision regarding the extension of the concession to its Board of Directors. The Molinar Maritime Club submitted the application to extend the period of its concession in 2014. This process is part of the possibility of modifying concessions in the public domain under the tenth transitional provision of the consolidated text of the Law on State Ports and the Merchant Navy, introduced by Law 18/2014. Its concession ends in March 2018.

The APB installs new walkway at Port of Maó

26/10/2016

The new walkway currently being installed by the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands at the Port of Maó will be ready for operation on 15 November. This infrastructure will facilitate the direct boarding and disembarkation of passengers from boats docked at the temporary Cós Nou harbour station. It comprises a hybrid fixed and mobile walkway (finger) with a 20-year life span that will allow passengers to board the vessel directly from the dock without having to pass through the cargo hold, which is the routine currently in place. Following its launch it will therefore enhance safety, service quality and passenger comfort. It is a versatile walkway that allows the height of the elevated gantry to be adjusted to the gangways of each type of vessel. This makes it compatible with ferries, cruise ships and vessels with very diverse features, covering a height above the dock surface of between 2 and 14.5 metres. The APB has invested 1.1 million on this project that was awarded to Talleres Milán S.A.

APB and Puertos del Estado take part in the National ATPYC Congress

19/10/2016

Palma is playing host to the 6th National Congress of the Technical Association of Ports and Coasts (ATPYC), which was officially opened this morning by José Llorca, president of Puertos del Estado (State Ports), alongside the president of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, Joan Gual de Torrella the ports and airports general director of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Xavier Ramis as well the president of the ATPYC, Francisco Esteban. From today until the congress closes on 21 October, Hotel Melía Palace Atenea will be the Spanish-based hub of innovation in engineering, consultancy and construction of port and coastal works. This edition, running under the title "Planning and Management of Ports and Coasts", will touch on aspects including the integration of ports in global transport chains, the management of a public port and coastal domain, sustainability and other topical issues relevant to Palma, as well as the incorporation of the port into the urban environment, water sports activities and cruise ship tourism. The ATPYC, founded in 1998, is a scientific and technical association that works in close proximity with the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC), established in 1885, which Spain joined in 1907.

Works on S'Illa Plana at Port of Maó now underway

17/10/2016

The APB (Port Authority of the Balearic Islands) has launched the refurbishment works of the docks at Illa Plana, a project that will also cover the adaptation of the surface area intended for sailing and canoeing schools of the various boat clubs at the port of Maó that often visit these facilities for their sports activities. With a budget of €304,202.89, the company Dragados, S.A. will repair, reconstruct and lay the pavement of the docks, implementing works over the course of around 4 months with a view to improving the sporting use and safety of the facilities. Although these works were set to get underway mid-2015, it was not feasible until now. The inability of the winning company of the first tender to undertake the project and the subsequent new tender process for the works that had to be performed caused the delay. With this activity, the APB seeks to harness the public domain and steer it towards sporting and recreational activities that boost the Maó Maritime Club and the Villacarlos Sailing Club and, in particular, to protect the safety of children who take part in the light sailing, canoeing or paddle surf courses that are on offer.

APB to procure fire engine for the fire-fighters of Formentera

05/10/2016

The APB (Port Authority of the Balearic Islands) has called for bids for the purchase of a fire engine in accordance with the collaboration agreement on fire prevention and extinction, and rescue and civil protection for the Port of La Savina, formalised with the Inland Council of Formentera in December 2014. In line with this agreement, the APB agrees to procure a fire engine with turntable ladder to be used by the Fire Department of the Inland Council of Formentera to guarantee safety at the Port of La Savina facilities. The APB will also make a contribution of 20,000 euros each year to cover the cost of specific training for fire-fighters in Formentera and a one-off payment of 10,000 euros to purchase various emergency equipment. For its side of the bargain, the Inland Council of Formentera undertakes to provide a specialised service for the prevention and extinction of fires, civil protection, rescue and emergency control in and around the port, preferably allocating a fire-fighting team, at least, to the port area and the essential material resources to ensure safety at the port. The efforts by two entities help raise safety levels in the port's service area and harness available resources and synergies to avoid the duplication of services. For more information on the tender process of the supply contract, you can access the contractors profile on the APB website or directly consult the public sector contracting platform.

The APB invited tenders for projects worth 52.4 million euros up to September 2016

04/10/2016

So far this year, the APB (Port Authority of the Balearic Islands) has called for bids for projects worth 52.4 million euros. The main works include the expansion of the esplanade of the Poniente Norte Dock in Palma, the expansion and remodelling projects of the Marine Terminal No. 6 in Palma, and the refurbishment and improvement works of the south docks at the Port of Ibiza. State ports has released the list of projects that were tendered out during the first nine months of this financial year, drawing attention to the fact that these projects offered by Spanish ports equate to 548 million euros. In terms of port authorities, Bilbao, with the construction of the main terminal for the expansion of the Port of Bilbao, comes first in the list with the most substantial project tendered out. With 52.4 million euros, Barcelona, Ferrol-San Cibrao and the Balearic Islands come behind Bilbao in the ranking of projects with the highest bids. All in all, this figure shows a 37.8% increase against bids from the same period in 2015. Tenders on the Balearic Islands up to September 2015 amounted to 17.9 million euros, less than half of the 52.4 million euros in 2016.

The APB takes part in the 9th FETEIA Convention 2016

30/09/2016

The Chamber of Commerce of Mallorca today hosted the convention for Spanish logistics operators, FETEIA. The APB (Port Authority of the Balearic Islands) took part in the gathering where the main issues affecting the import and export sector were debated. One of the main issues highlighted was the problem concerning Customs as a driving force or obstacle for the development of international trade and the new safety dynamics for freight forwarders. The opening ceremony was led by the President of Puertos del Estado [State Ports], José Llorca the President of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, Joan Gual de Torrella, the President of FETEIA-OLTRA (Spanish Federation of Freight Forwarders. Organisation for Logistics, Transport and Customs Representation), Enric Ticó, and that of ATEIA-OLTRA Balears (the Balearic Islands Freight Forwarders Association), Enrique Oliver. FETEIA-OLTRA (the Spanish Federation of Freight Forwarders) is made up of all companies in this sector, along with transportation logistics and customs representation companies. FETEIA-OLTRA aims to provide maximum support for Spanish logistics operators so that they can carry out their work in the framework of free competition and work together with Public Authorities and Institutions to facilitate the work of freight forwarding companies.

The Directorate-General of Emergencies and the APB organise a gas leak drill at the Port of Alcúdia

29/09/2016

The Directorate-General of Emergencies, in coordination with the APB (Port Authority of the Balearic Islands), has today organised a gas leak drill at the Port of Alcúdia. The drill was undertaken to comply with the Seveso Regulation, which establishes that hazardous chemical facilities must have certain plans thoroughly integrated into local civil protection plans and conduct drills every 3 years. A major unit, comprising emergency services and security forces, was deployed to the port area this morning to carry out the relevant operations, which continued until the action protocol was completed. The drill entailed a fictitious 1,800-kg propane gas leak at the Repsol facilities in the Port of Alcúdia, which took place during the unloading process of a gas tanker while it was in the liquefied gas unloading dock. Repsol immediately contacted the Port of Alcúdia's control centre and 112, notifying them of the incident. The Directorate-General of Emergencies and Interior automatically activated level 2 of the External Emergency Plan. Besides the APB and the Directorate-General of Emergencies, the Government Delegation of the Balearic Islands, Repsol, the Guardia Civil, the Fire Service of Mallorca, and the Local and Port Police all participated in the drill. In compliance with the safety check of the Port of Alcúdia, the APB carried out an assessment on the harbour station and inside the Martin Soler de Baleària vessel on which the passengers hypothetically travelled. Meanwhile, the different companies that operate at the Port of Alcúdia, under the authority of the Directorate-General of Emergencies of the Balearic Government, who organised the initiative, were brought up to date with events. The emergency services activated the External Emergency Plan and the APB provided its services, offering the emergency services its port pilots and tugboats, while respecting the measures established to control environmental impacts and marine pollution. In order to ensure safety and the proper undertaking of the drill, the Local Alcúdia Police and the Guardia Civil restricted accesses to the town centre, while the Port Police restricted accesses to the port area.

MeinSchiff 5 also docks at the Port of Palma

23/09/2016

The arrival of the newly launched MeinSchiff 5 at the Port of Palma means it is the first port where all 5 ships belonging to the company TUI Cruises will anchor in 2016. On its way from Cadiz, the latest TUI Cruises ship will stop over in the Mallorcan capital, once again opting for one of the APB's ports as a home port. This is not the first time the company has chosen a Balearic port to unveil one of its cruise ships. In June 2014, the Port of Palma was also a stop-off point for the recently inaugurated MeinSchiff 3. It was also chosen as the setting to launch the MeinSchiff 4, the sister ship of the one presented today. The arrival of MeinSchiff 5 means that the five TUI Cruises ships will have used the Port of Palma as their operational base in 2016, making it the only port to have welcomed them all in the same year. It is a 295 metre-long ship that can hold 2,600 passengers. Chairman of the APB, Juan Carlos Plaza, and captain of the MeinSchiff 5, Tood Gurtman, today exchanged the traditional plaques accrediting the solid relationship between the APB and the company. The five MeinSchiffs will stop over up to thirteen times between now and the end of the year and the MeinSchiff 2 will be based in Palma throughout the winter, helping to unmistakably address the seasonal touristic nature of the island of Mallorca. Next season, the company's five ships will stop over a total of 58 times at the Balearic ports - 37 stop-overs at Palma and 21 at Eivissa.