News APB | Ports de Balears

The APB and the UIB will study the impact of cruise tourism through a network of pollution and noise sensors

28/07/2016

The dean of the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Llorenç Huguet, and the president of the Balearic Islands' Port Authority (APB), Joan Gual de Torrella, have signed an agreement to study the impact of cruise tourism in Palma through the installation of a network of pollution and noise sensors. This collaboration is part of the Framework Convention in force between both institutions for years now and will be carried out through the Balearic Islands University-Business Foundation. According to the agreement, the University will give technical support for the installation of a network of pollution and noise measuring instruments. The data provided by the network about the activities carried out at the ports of general interest of the Balearic Islands will be analysed by a UIB research team formed by the doctors Bartolomé Alorda, member of the group of Electronic Systems of the Physics Department Víctor Homar, member of the group of Meteorology of the Physics Department and Mauricio Ruiz, director of the Service of Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing. This team, together with the APB, will elaborate the technical report preceding the installation of a network of sensors at Palma's, Alcudia's, Ibiza's, La Savina's and Mahon's ports. It will also follow the study process of the offers submitted by the installation companies at Palma's Port and will analyse the data collected. The main aim is to correlate the levels of pollutants and the level of noise pollution with the activity generated at the port and at the transition threshold with the city. The results will be evaluated for 12 months from the validation of the installation of the network of sensors. The president of the APB, Joan Gual de Torrella, has highlighted that although Palma has been receiving cruise tourists for more than 30 years, "we are currently living a successful moment, so it is important to identify the possible problems that may arise in order to solve them as soon as possible. The cruise industry is considered a wealth producing sector in our society". As for the dean of the UIB, Llorenç Huguet, he has expressed his gratitude for the collaboration with the Port Authority "in a project of multidisciplinary research to analyse the importance and impact of this economic activities, without forgetting the environmental impact and, on the basis of knowledge, to diminish their less favourable effects".

One year of the Balearic Islands' Port Authority's e-office

27/07/2016

The Balearic Islands' Port Authority's (APB) e-office has been operational for a year. The aim of this service is to facilitate the processes that private individuals and companies have to make with the APB. But it also contributes to the digitalisation of public administration, to reduce the use of paper and to a better communication with the other administrations. There are currently eight active processes that can be accessed through this link. The first online process was the payment of fines, followed by seven more processes: request of moorings renewal, complaints and suggestions, general requests, temporary occupation application for authorisation, trade service delivery application for authorisation, paying-in slip, contractor register application for registration and renewal documentation in the contractor register. More than 48.800 open sessions and 1.449 online applications have been registered this first year. Spain is the first country of origin of the open sessions, followed by the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States. By localities, Palma is in the first place, followed by Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Ibiza and Mahon, among others. The "Human Resources noticeboard" has been one of the most visited pages during this period, with more than 29.000 visits. These visits have coincided with different job vacancies published by the APB for administrative officers, port police and one head of division (this offer will be valid until the 2nd of August). The request of moorings renewal for pleasure boats has been the most requested service. On the other hand, improvements are being made in the SCSP processes (substitution of certificates in paper form) in order to substitute paper certificates and to prevent citizens and companies from having to submit documentation held by other administrations. A total of 39 queries have been made, especially data verification and query: certify correct payment of social security bills due, verify or view personal data and view graduate and undergraduate degrees.

The Balearic Islands' Port Authority attends a European meeting in Sardinia

27/07/2016

The Balearic Islands' Port Authority (APB) has attended a European meeting in Sardinia organised by Stintino's city council, together with representatives of the Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia and Catalonia. The European programme is called "Insieme verso l’Europa 2020" (Together Towards Europe 2020) and it allows the experts of these regions to share projects about cooperation, transport, fishery and the biodiversity of the Mediterranean basin. The objective is to develop an action plan for the common problems and challenges. Francisca Leal Albons, cruise sales manager, has intervened in the conference as a representative of the APB. Alberto Mario Carta, expert in European programming Alain Pasqualini, manager of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ajaccio and South Corsica Gavino Sini, president of the Chamber of Commerce of the north of Sardinia Joan Elies Adell, coordinator of the Government of Catalonia in Alghero Emanuela Carmenati, president of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona Pasquale Taula, president of the Provincial Industrial Consortium and Benedetto Sochi, president of the Coastal Action Group of the north of Sardinia, have participated in the event, among others.

Maó's Port action plan marks the way forward to make it Minorca's economic driver

22/07/2016

The Balearic Islands' Port Authority (APB) and Maó's and Es Castell's city councils have presented the document "Maó's Port: economic and cultural driver", whose main aim is that the port regains its vitality, that it reverses the negative trend of recent years —especially tough due to the economic crisis and the extension of Ciutadella's Port— and that it becomes the new economic and cultural driver of the city and the island. The action plan was presented the 21st of July at Ca n'Oliver in Maó before the president of State Ports, José Llorca the president of Minorca's Island Council, Maite Salord Maó's mayoress, Conxa Juanola Es Castell's mayor, Lluís Camps, and the president of the APB, Joan Gual de Torrella, as well as before representatives of the Minorcan civil society. The company Nearco has coordinated the elaboration of the project. 80 representatives of public institutions and business, social and cultural entities of the island have participated in the project during more than 8 months of work carried out in four different studios: the commercial port, the cruise port, the leisure port and the sports, natural and cultural port. The process has not finished yet, so those interested can send their proposals to the e-mail portdemao@portsdebalears.com Institutional support Although there is still a lot to do, the president of State Ports, José Llorca, valued the fact that the project has not started from scratch. However, he demanded a more rapid approval of the Delimitation of Spaces and Port Uses, a legal instrument which develops the special plans. He also requested the collaboration between institutions. "The port is at the service of the economic activity, it cannot be an obstacle". Joan Gual agreed with this idea and stated that "Maó's Port has to be treated differently to the rest of ports". Therefore the APB and Maó's and Es Castell's city councils, in collaboration with the public and private sectors, created this action plan. According to Maó's mayoress, Conxa Juanola, "we all agree that a change is necessary. This document is the starting point for a change of period at Maó's Port". Es Castell's mayor, Lluís Camp, advocates for a stable model "that does not have to be changed every four years". The president of Minorca's Island Council, Maite Salord, highlighted the need of promoting the actions that allow for a change in the current situation. Coordination with Ciutadella The 40 actions of the plan are organised in two groups: measures of economic boost and of cultural boost, which include the nautical-sports activity. In the first group, the complementary management proposal between Maó and Ciutadella's ports deserves a special mention, aimed at solving the imbalance situation created by the extension of Ciutadella's Port. This proposal is also valid for the pair port-airport and for other ports and cities of the Mediterranean with which Maó may strengthen the traffic of medium cruise ships of high purchasing power. This first group of actions also includes the extension of the port access from its entrance in order to improve the navigation security, as well as actions that improve the competitiveness of companies at the port, including the creation of a business incubator. Regarding the actions for the promotion of cultural and nautical-sports activities, here the focus is on a proposal for allocating part of the resources of the APB to cultural projects on the elaboration of an equipment plan with investment priorities on making compatible the military heritage with its current and future uses and on the creation of Maó’s interpretation centre at Rey island. The adequate provision of services, specially the facilities of the dry dock, the fuel supply and the gangway of the new terminal, is another of the issues on the table.

Landing protocol of amphibious aircrafts activated at Palma's Port

20/07/2016

The landing protocol of amphibious aircrafts for the extinction of forest fires has been activated with the drill carried out in Palma's Port. It is a course of action for the use of the water of Palma's Port during landing operations which will be activated exceptionally, when amphibious aircrafts cannot collect water of any other place on Majorca's coast. The drill has been carried out under real conditions, with the participation of the aircraft Canadair of the Group 43 of the Air Forces based in Pollença and of all the parties of the Public Administration and the Government of the Balearic Islands involved in the process: the Directorate General of Emergencies and Interior-SEIB112, the Directorate General of Natural Spaces and Biodiversity, the Civil Guard, the Major of the Naval Forces, the Balearic Islands' Port Authority (APB), the pilots of Palma's Port, Palma's Royal Yacht Club and the Sea Club. Just yesterday, all the parties signed the protocol, together with the Sub-Directorate General of Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture. The General Manager of the APB, Juan Carlos Plaza, the head of the Coordination Service of the Directorate General of Emergencies and Interior, Santiago Sainz de los Terreros, and the General Manager of Natural Spaces and Biodiversity, Caterina Amengual, highlighted the importance of collaboration of all the members involved in landing operations for the quick extinction of forest fires, including public and private institutions and boat users. Information material for the promotion of the protocol has been handed over to the shipping lines, the users of the facilities and yacht clubs at Palma's Port and to the Fishermen Association. The information material includes the safety measures to be adopted during landing operations in order to ensure the security of amphibious aircrafts.

Traffic increases by 7% at the ports of general interest of the Balearic Islands

19/07/2016

Port traffic is increasing according to the latest statistics of the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB), which underscores a growth in consumption in the Balearic Islands. From January until May 2016 5.758.922 tons have been registered, a 7% more than in the same period last year. The annual amount (from May 2015 to May 2016) has also increased by 6% to reach a total of 13.633.189 tons. 4.669.426 tons of general cargo have been loaded and unloaded at the ports of the Balearic Islands the first six months of the year, an 8% more compared to the first 6 months of 2015. This is the case of packed or canned cargo or material that can be counted by units. By ports, only in Mahon the traffic of this type of cargo has decreased by 18%, while it has increased in the rest of ports by the following percentages: 9% in Palma, 6% in Alcudia, 14% in Ibiza and 10% in La Savina. Liquid bulk cargo, which includes mainly petroleum products, has decreased by 12% to 468.449 tons. The fall has occurred mainly at Palma's (-24%) and Alcudia's (-18%) ports, although there has been an increase in Mahon (26%) and in Ibiza (34%). Solid bulk cargo (which includes products such as iron ore, coals, cereals or cements) has increased by 19% to 621.047 tons. The increase of this type of cargo is significant in Ibiza (by 198%), due to the export of demolition materials and salt, as well as to the import of cement. Solid bulk cargo has increased by 36% in Palma and by 3% in Alcudia, while it has decreased by 57% in Mahon.

Video statements of the lighthouse-keepers of the Balearic Islands

12/07/2016

The Balearic Islands' Port Authority (APB) is widening the video library containing the statements of the lighthouse-keepers of the Balearic Islands. Two new videos have been published, one of La Mola lighthouse in Formentera and another one of Cap Salines lighthouse in Majorca, and made available to all users on the specialised website www.farsdebalears.com These interviews offer information about the operation of lighthouses and the mission of lighthouse-keepers but, above all, about this profession and its importance in the society of the time, before the 1992 Law of Ports and the Merchant Navy declared the extinction of the Mechanical Technicians of Navigational Aids. The village lighthouse-keeper The video entitled ‘The village lighthouse-keeper’ shows Vicens Mayans Mayans' statement. He is a lighthouse-keeper known as ‘Vicent des faro’ who worked for 13 years in La Mola lighthouse, in Formentera, which he entered on the 10th of May 1949. "I perfectly remember it was at 10 in the morning", he says. Vicens Mayans witnessed the construction of La Mola road to the lighthouse, and he recalls how the neighbours of Pilar de la Mola walked up to the lighthouse on the village's festivity. La Mola lighthouse "was a delicate lighthouse because it was a port of call" for ships of all flags and it was operational "during the day and at night, with good weather and rough seas". Hence, "any breakdown could have been fatal". Thus, in order not to lose sight of the lighthouse's viewpoint, Vicens installed a mirror in his room which reflected the lighthouse. His objective was to offer the maximum security. Life of commitment As in the case of Vicens Mayans, Julià Vidal's life was a ‘life of commitment’ to Cap Salines lighthouse (Majorca), of which he took care for 23 years. He was accompanied throughout all this time by his wife, Sebastiana Maimó, who helped him with his maintenance works or to turn on the siren which warned of fog. "The worst thing that can happen is that there is a breakdown and the lighthouse stops operating. You feel responsible to the people who need navigational aids". Cap Salines lighthouse has been uninhabited since 1993 but it remains operational. The IMEDEA has a weather station and research equipment in the building. This lighthouse has a strategic location for guarding Cabrera channel, in an area where westerly and easterly winds cause heavy storms.

Public tender for the expansion of Poniente Norte Dock in Palma's Port

07/07/2016

The Balearic Islands' Port Authority (APB) has submitted a tender for the extension works of the esplanade of Poniente Norte Dock in Palma's Port. The call for bids has been published in the Spanish Official State Gazette (BOE) of the 7th of July 2016. The extension has been provided in the APB's business plan for more than ten years, and it is essential to improve the efficiency, safety and quality of the port operations in this area, as it will allow for a clearer separation between the spaces for vehicles and passengers. The total import of the base tender budget is of 34 million euros and the execution period for the works is of 37 months. The deadline for bids is the 8th of August. Bids must be submitted in the Registry of the Balearic Islands' Port Authority, located in Palma's headquarters, in Moll Vell, 3-5.

The Maritime Station n.1 of Palma's Port turns 55

07/07/2016

Palma's Port has changed a lot since 1961, but even then cruise ships and ocean liners arrived regularly in Majorca with passengers and goods. Hence the need of refurbishing the port facilities with an adequate maritime station: that was the station number 1, still its current name. The 7th of July 1961 the then Minister for Public Works inaugurated the Maritime Station n.1 located in Ponent Dock, which costed almost 3.5 million pesetas and was recognised internationally for its modern facilities. The building stood out for its large terrace with views to the port and to the city and its restaurant in the glass tower. Then the station was open the 24 hours and became a hot spot for residents. In the 80s it was adapted to the needs of the moment and was transformed into a transit area for passengers. Today it is operational for both cruise traffic and regular traffic of goods and passengers. You can read the original news in the newspaper Ultima Hora.

Opened the renewal term for the moorings at the ports directly managed by the APB

06/07/2016

The renewal term for the request of moorings at the ports directly managed by the Balearic Islands' Port Authority APB) will be open until the 15th of July in Palma, Mahon and Alcudia for non-professional recreational boats. The procedure is very straightforward and can be done online through the APB's website. Those interested must fill in a form with their ID number and name of the port where they request a mooring. Once de procedure is done, you will receive a confirmation email. For any queries or doubts, you can call to the following telephone numbers from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm from Monday to Friday: Palma's Port: 971 228153 Mahon's Port: 971 363066 Alcudia's Port: 971 545076

Improvements in the bike lane of Palma's Port

06/07/2016

The Balearic Islands' Port Authority (APB), in collaboration with Palma's city council, is carrying out several improvement works in the bike lane of Palma's Port. On one hand, the route of the bike lane has been modified on its way to Moll Vell Street and the intersection with Adolfo Suarez Avenue. These works aim at improving the safety conditions of pedestrians and cyclists, who until now had to share a limited space during the wait at traffic lights, with the resulting risk for both groups. Specifically, the surface of the platform for waiting at traffic lights has been enlarged the existing flower beds have been expanded a new green area has been created and the crosswalks on Adolfo Suarez Avenue have been broadened in order to create a wide crossing lane for pedestrians. The parking lot in front of the old office building of the APB has also been paved in order to highlight the facade. On the other hand, the bike lane on Palma's Port is being painted again with the aim of remodelling and improving it. A total of 3.7 km will be painted in red of the total 4.7 km of surface, and the marks, symbols and numberings will be painted in reflective white paint. The APB has awarded these works to the company AGLOMSA for a total of 58.000€. The works will have an estimate duration of one or two weeks.

The APB sets up the VII Painting and Photography Contest on Balearic ports and lighthouses

01/07/2016

The Balearic Islands' Port Authority (APB) has set up the seventh edition of the Painting and Photography Contest on Balearic ports and lighthouses. The main objective is to photograph and/or paint Palma's Alcudia's, Mahon's, Ibiza's and La Savina's ports and the lighthouses managed by the APB in the islands with the aim of promoting, from a plastic perspective, their cultural heritage and natural surroundings. As in previous editions, Palma's Circle of Fine Arts has cooperated with the contest. All those painters and photographers interested can participate in the contest, whenever the works are unpublished and have not participated in any other contest. Three categories have been established: watercolour, other painting techniques and photography. A total of 8.000€ will be handed over to the winners. The first watercolour prize and the first prize for other painting techniques are valued at 2.000€ each, and the first photography prize at 800€. The works must be presented from the 10th to the 31st of October 2016, both inclusive, in the different APB's headquarters at Palma's, Alcudia's, Mahon's, Ibiza's and La Savina's Ports. The jury is formed by representatives of the APB and Palma's Circle of Fine Arts. The complete contest rules may be checked out at http://www.portsdebalears.com/en.