News APB | Ports de Balears

Improvement works at the La Savina Maritime Station

25/02/2016

The improvement works at the La Savina Maritime Station in Formentera will start the next 2nd of March. The contract has been awarded to Ferrovial Agroman by the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) for 77.033 euros, with the aim of refurbishing and expanding the ticket offices and the toilets of the station. The works are scheduled for completion the 15th of May, although details will be worked out until the 31st of May. During the refurbishing works, the ticket sale will be done at a provisional ticket office located in the Maritime Station, and the toilets will be set up outside the station, in temporary modules. These refurbishing works will allow for offering a better service to clients and for a larger space for shipping lines to carry out their business. The construction of six larger ticket offices more is foreseen at the ground floor, four of which of eleven square metres, which will allow for attending two clients at the same time, and four more offices, of 20 square metres, for attending three people and dedicated to shipping lines operating mixed traffic. The new toilets will be expanded and located in the first floor. La Savina is today the second port of the Balearic Islands with the highest traffic of passengers of regular lines, after Ibiza. In 2015, La Savina Port handled 1.6 million passengers of regular lines.

Apprentice sailors at the Tall Ships Races 2016

22/02/2016

A group of Minorcan youngsters might make their dream of signing onto a large sailing boat and participating in an international regatta such as the Tall Ships Races 2016 come true thanks to the initiative of Mahon’s city council, in collaboration with the Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB). Youngsters between 18 and 25 years of age registered in Mahon who prove their vocation for the sea and for sailing will be able to participate in an instructive workshop aboard the brigantine Morgenster , of 48 metres in length. The workshop will be offered during one of the stages of the international regatta, specifically the one that connects Lisboa and Cadiz ports, between the 24th and the 31st of July. Those interested can enrol until the 23d of February at Mahon’s city hall or contacting the organising firm Catavent SL at the telephone number 630 040 705 or at the email catavent2@gmail.com The enrolment fees are 100€ and include the trip, the full board accommodation aboard and an insurance. Besides, youngsters will be able to participate in all the events organised ashore by the crew, from ceremonies to sport activities. Tall Ships Races The Grandes Veleros 2016 Regatta, organised by Sail Training, departs from Amberes Port (Belgium) the 10th of July bound for Lisboa, where the ships will be moored from the 22nd to the 25th of July. On the next stage of the itinerary, celebrated from the 28th to the 31st of July, the sailing boats will reach Cadiz. A Coruña will be the finish line of the competition, scheduled for the 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th of August. The 2015 edition sailed the North Sea and called at Belfast (Northern Ireland), Ålesund (Norway), Kristiansand (Norway) and Aalborg (Denmark) Ports.

The APB receives the ISO 9001 quality management AENOR certification

19/02/2016

The Balearic Island’s Port Authority (APB) has received the ISO 9001 quality seal by AENOR, which certifies that the institution has implemented a quality management system that is committed to continuous improvement. The president of the APB, Joan Gual de Torrella, has received the certification from the president of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Francina Armengol, in an event celebrated at the offices of the APB in Palma and attended by the director of AENOR in the Balearic Islands, Soledad Seisdedos. At the APB works are done following processes that are continually analysed and revised and that are based on continuous improvement and on offering a better service to the client. These are the main principles of the institution, so the whole staff participates in the procedures. The president of the APB, Joan Gual de Torrella, has stated that ‘the AENOR seal proves that we are offering a good service to the client, but it in turn commits us to keep and improve these quality levels’. The president of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Francina Armengol, has congratulated the workers of the APB and AENOR on their collaborative work for offering a better service to the citizens. Besides, she has highlighted that the good practices in quality will contribute to a more efficient management that will benefit the whole society. Likewise, Soledad Seisdedos, on behalf of AENOR, has stated that ‘more than 1 million organisations in the world hold the ISO 9001, which proves that it is a value-adding tool. The certification is a great ally of the Spanish ports, as it supports the improvement of their competence’.

The ports of the Balearic Islands handled almost 7 million passengers in 2015

17/02/2016

The ports of general interest managed by the Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB) handled last year 6.9 million passengers, including cruise ships and regular lines, which represents a 10.8% increase compared to 2014, with 6.3 million passengers. Specifically, the traffic of regular lines was of 5 million passengers, a 4% more than in 2014, and of 1.9 million passengers for cruise ships, a 24% more compared to the previous year. Regarding numbers in each port, Palma handled 2.5 million passengers, including cruises and regular lines Alcudia 267.000 Mahon almost 180.000 passengers Ibiza almost 2.4 million passengers and La Savina 1.7 million passengers. The 24% increase of cruise passengers is a consequence of the 22% increase of calls, which raised up to 788 (569 in Palma, 120 in Ibiza, 85 in Mahon, 9 in La Savina and 5 in Alcudia). In fact, 2015 has been an extraordinary year in APB’s historical data series, partly due to the instability in the north of Africa, which has led to the drifting of cruise ships to the ports of the Balearic Islands. A total of 1.7 million passengers arrived at Palma’s port in 2015, a 29% more than in the previous year 1.365 at Alcudia, also a 29% more Mahon showed a decrease of the 25%, with 59.342 passengers Ibiza handled 190.308 passengers, a 13% more, and La Savina 1.539, a 76% more. Regarding the traffic of regular lines, Palma handled 792.851 passengers, which represents a 2% decrease Alcudia 265.804, an 8% more Mahon showed an increase of the 1% with 120.499 passengers Alcudia handled 2.1 million passengers, a 4% more, and La Savina 1.6 million passengers, an 8% more.

Cala Figuera lighthouse, bird observatory

16/02/2016

Every first Saturday of the month, the birdwatchers members of the Birds and Marine Mammals Observatory Network (RAM) set off to the different vantage points of the Spanish and Portuguese coasts. In Majorca, the last 6th of February, Cala Figuera was the chosen observatory, where 306 seabirds could be identified, of which 256 were Balearic shearwaters, the only endemic seabird in Spain. The observation of these birds is essential for their conservation. The Balearic shearwater, for example, is a very endangered species threatened with extinction. It only breeds in the Balearic Islands but its journeys can get to the Atlantic and Cantabrian. Cala Figuera is an ideal vantage point due to its proximity to Dragonera and Cabrera islands, where these birds nest. The birdwatchers, in collaboration with the Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB) intend to repeat this activity every month. According to the documents the seawatchers of Cala Figuera lighthouse have shared with the APB, that day 73 shearwaters per hour were identified, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. They moved mainly from east to west, looking for food in the area near Cala Figuera cape. Most of the birds were singled out from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Apart from the Balearic shearwater, the census includes other 8 different species, such as the yellow-legged gull (83 birds), the sandwich tern (21), the European shag (24), the great cormorant (4), an Atlantic Northern gannet, a white egret and a peregrine falcon. The census was done by volunteers of the Balearic Ornithology Group (GOB) in collaboration with members of the Friends of Lighthouses Association. Apart from Cala Figuera lighthouse, there are other interesting vantage points for the observation of seabirds in Majorca: in front of Cap Salines and from a cliff located approximately 1 kilometre away from Portocolom lighthouse.

The ports of the Balearic Islands handled over 13 million tonnes of cargo in 2015

13/02/2016

The ports of general interest are a good indicator of the economic activity of the islands, as the 99% of the goods arrive or depart from some of the five ports managed by the Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB). The 2015 statistics recently published by the APB on www.portsdebalears.com show an economic upturn in the Balearic Islands, returning to levels registered in 2008. Last year the ports handled over 13,3 million tonnes of cargo, a 6% more than in 2014. Ibiza’s Port showed the greater upturn, with an 8% and 2,5 million tonnes, followed by Palma, with a 7% increase and 8.3 million tonnes. Alcudia handled 1.5 million tonnes, a 3% more. Mao 696.679 tonnes, a 6% less and La Savina 268.509, a 9% less. The general volume of freight traffic, that is, the freight arriving in containers or lorries, is over 10.6 million of tonnes, a 7% more than in 2014. Alcudia’s increase is particularly noteworthy, with a 38% and more than 604.000 tonnes, together with Mao’s Port 7% decrease, with 507.000 tonnes. Solid bulk, that is, the one transported unpackaged and in large quantities, has decreased a 6% on aggregate numbers, specially due to the 13% decrease in Alcudia’s Port, where coal import has decreased after the startup of the submarine cable and the gas pipeline. In the rest of ports, solid bulk has increased partly due to the increase of construction. A total of over 1.2 million tonnes have been transported. More consumption Liquid bulk –specially fuel- has also increased a 5% over the 1.5 tonnes, as well as traffic of ship and tonnage: 40.288 calls at the five ports of general interest, a 14% more, which have exceeded the 193 gross tonnage (GT).

Work is underway on the refurbishment of the seaside promenade at Alcudia’s Port.

11/02/2016

The Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB) has started the refurbishment works of the seaside promenade at Alcudia’s Port. The works have a budget of 484.000 euros and they are scheduled for completion in two months, before the high tourist season starts. The refurbishment project arrives 15 years after the promenade was built and it includes the substitution of part of the wooden pavement at dock level for green areas. The main aim is to reduce maintenance costs and to improve the safety of pedestrians, as wood used to become slippery with rain.

The APB will make an investment of 52 million euros in 2016

08/02/2016

An investment of 52 million euros at the five ports of general interest is planned in the 2016 Business Plan approved by the Board of Directors of the Balearic Islands’ Port Authority. Of this quantity, 38.3 million euros come from a direct investment made by the APB and 14 million euros come from the private sector. It is important to highlight that the discounts on the port taxes have been applied on 2016 budget and that an upturn in the economic activity is expected to have an impact on maritime transport, and therefore, on incomes. On the other hand, 2015 year-end estimate was about 22 million euros, with a turnover of 68 million euros. These profits will be invested in goods transportation, regular and cruise lines and in actions that improve the economic activity of the islands. Planned investments Regarding ports, the APB will invest 13.3 million euros in Palma in 2016. We highlight the extension of the terrace Norte of the Poniente docks, as well as the extension and refurbishing of the maritime station number 6, which will make passengers boarding and disembarking easier. Other improvement works at the docks in La Lonja, Jonquet and San Magin for ships of direct management are planned, as well as the installation of a fire protection network at the port. In Ibiza the direct investment increases to 10.8 million euros in works at the terrace and docks at the foot of Botafoc lighthouse. Those works include the extension of the first berthing line for large ships, so that up to three cruises of more than 330 metres in length can sight land at the same time. An investment of 4 million euros will be made in Mahon for the improvement of the berthing line of the cruise dock and of the public lightning, for the installation of jetties for ships in Cala Corb and for the acquisition of lands.

The railway tunnel of Palma’s Port turns 85

05/02/2016

The 5th of February 1931 the railway tunnel which connected Palma’s Port with the city was inaugurated. The Association Amics del Ferrocarril of the Balearic Islands has commemorated this anniversary of events with an exhibition of unpublished images of this railway line which became operational in 1877. The line to Palma’s Port was really important and it went through today’s Avenidas, Rambla and Born. However, its itinerary over the surface led to many problems, so it was moved underground and the tunnel in today’s Parc de la Mar was opened. Until 1881 the train carriages were drawn by mules. That year the first train engine arrived, although animal traction was not completely abandoned and it continued to be used in the city. Finally, in 1928, the works of the port’s tunnel started, and the tunnel was inaugurated the 9th of February 1931. It started in Palma’s train station and it arrived at Portella and Ses Voltes, in Parc de la Mar. The material from this excavation allowed for the construction of Parc de la Mar’s esplanade, where the station of classification of goods was built. The new track measured 2.046 metres in length, of which 1.252 were underground. Besides, in the port station there were 900 metres of secondary tracks and the dock tracks over Moll de la Riba. A total of 3.7 km of tracks. In the last operational years of the line, which ceased to operate in 1965, the main product leaving the dock was coal from Lloseta, which was shipped to Alicante.

The APB will move away the fences of the Santa Eulalia Avenue at Ibiza’s Port

02/02/2016

Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB) will move away the fences dividing the service area of Ibiza’s Port and Santa Eulalia Avenue, as it agreed to do with Ibiza’s council during the global agreement of measures to be undertaken during this term. 365 metres of galvanised steel fences will be moved away, which will reduce the visual impact of this area of the port. This action is prior to the remodelling of the area where an underground parking is planned to be built. The APB has already started the viability study of the project, which is expected to be tendered this year.

Demolition works of different buildings acqui-red by the APB have begun in Maó’s port

02/02/2016

Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB) has begun the demolition works of different buildings in the Cós Nou, of Maó’s Port, with the aim of preparing this area for the future extension and improvement of the operational capacity at the freight and passengers terminal. Specifically, the buildings include a bar and a warehouse –acquired by the APB from its previous ow-ners- and a deck in the Naval Station’s dock, hence heavy machinery is being used. Prior to the demolition works, the buildings have been dismantled by disassembling doors, carpentry works, furniture and electrical appliances, among other equipment. Likewise, authorization from the Ministry of Labour of the Government of the Balearic Islands has been requested to decontaminate the buildings with asbestos roofs. Works in the area of Cala Figuera are expected to start next week, where six dwellings and five wa-rehouses acquired by the APB will be demolished. A future nautical facility is projected in this area in order to reactivate the sector in Maó’s port. For the time being, the area will be covered with gravel until the land is redistributed. The contract was tendered up to 725.000€ and it has been finally awarded at an amount of 424.534€ to the firm M. Polo SL. The duration of the works will be 10 months.

The APB reduces taxes on liquid fuel traffic arriving at the Balearic Islands

02/02/2016

Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB) will increase the bonus on bulk liquid fuel traffic in 2016 in order to reduce costs of fuel transport. A 23% discount will be applied to both the ship and goods taxes and it is estimated that this should lead to a saving of 200.000 euros for the shipping companies. On the other hand, the APB will apply the maximum bonus allowed by law to tourist cruise ships which call at Mahon, Alcúdia and La Savina’s ports, with the aim of stimulating these traffics and contributing to the economic and social development of their surroundings. In particular, cruise ships that call at these ports will enjoy a 40% bonus on both the ship and the passenger taxes. With this aim in mind, the APB keeps applying a bonus at Mahon’s Port to the regular transport of goods and passengers, with a reduction of the 20% of the ship, passenger and goods taxes. Palma and Ibiza’s ports will also apply in 2016 bonuses between the 10% and 40% to cruise ships, depending on the number of calls, the size of the ship and other specific conditions of application, such as the incentives for sighting land at different ports of the APB and the application of the maximum bonus value during low season. General interest The APB estimates a reduction of its income of approximately 16 million euros in 2016 due to the application of these discounts and to the reduction of taxes on inter-island maritime services. According to the president of the ports of general interest of the islands, Joan Gual Torrella, these measures contribute to the reduction of the costs of insularity. “These reductions and discounts of the port taxes allow us to provide greater liquidity to the firms and to the entire population”. These grants for 2016 add up to the reduction (downward adjustment) of the 30% that the APB has been applying for several tax years on the passage tax and of the 10% on the goods tax at the five ports of general interest managed by the APB, in order to contribute to the stimulation of the economic activity of the Islands. Besides, it is also worth recalling that the APB applies at its ports the maximum bonus allowed by law for insularity on the taxes of maritime services with other ports outside the archipelago. In particular, the 40% on ship and goods taxes, the 45% on passenger taxes and the 60% on goods vehicles.