News APB | Ports de Balears

Works to convert Muelle de Poniente (Maó) into a walkway have started

04/11/2015

Improvement works to convert Muelle de Poniente in a boulevard, thus gaining useful space for pedestrian and reactivating area economy, have started. This has been possible thanks to the port spaces’ reorganisation done by Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB). Once goods traffic has been moved to Cós Nou, with the temporary maritime station already finished and Ro-Ro ramp of the dock removed, a space for trucks arriving with regular shipping service is no longer required. That’s why APB decided to gain space for the city, redistributing the current parking –parallel to the pavement– and extending the sidewalk where stores are located. Final result will be a new boulevard for pedestrian with cobbled pavement, new street furniture and more palms distributed all along the walkway, thus reactivating area economic activity and facilitating the passage for pedestrian. The works have been awarded to Construcciones Olives at € 397.000 (a figure which represents a fall of EUR 87.000 over the bid price. Execution time will be two months. APB will apply a bonus to the concessions while works are being executed and locals cannot run the terraces.

Large cruise ships docking works start in Ibiza port

30/10/2015

In order to improve cruises’ traffic capacity and docking manoeuvre in Ibiza port, south pier extension works started this week at Botafoc docks. Adopted solution has been the construction of three dolphin docks that will allow extending docking length until 328 and 375, in both sides of the jetty thus allowing two vessels up to 335 meters in length in one side and 290 meters in length in the other side to dock simultaneously. Port operations will improve with this started works, because vessels currently coincide with oil tankers while defueling in Botafoc dock and current docking have a limited capacity to receive big length cruises when facing adverse weather conditions. The project also includes building a dolphin dock and two double reinforced concrete docks really much bigger, supported on 2 metres in diameter piles. This structural design will let the optimization of the quantities of steel and cast concrete to be used and will also redound in an optimization of the cost and execution time. From sustainable environment point of view, it’s a fitting solution because facilitate water port renovation. TBA Copcisa-Olives has been awarded the project worth 3,8 million euro and an execution period of 5 months, when budget add up to 6,5 million euro.

The tender for the dry dock at the Port of Maó is not awarded

28/10/2015

The Technical Committee responsible for deciding on the tender to manage the Cós Nou dry dock area at the Port of Maó has ruled that the tender should not be awarded, given that the only bid submitted does not comply with the relevant terms and conditions or guarantee the levels of quality that the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) requires for this public service at the Port of Maó. This proposal will be put to the vote by the APB’s Board of Directors, at the request of the Port Authority Chairman, Joan Gual de Torrella, at the next board meeting, which is scheduled to be held this week in Palma. Gual de Torrella has already asked the port authority’s technical experts to look for a solution that is acceptable to all involved so that the boat repair and maintenance services repeatedly requested by the Minorca marine industry can be offered at the Port of Maó in the near future.

Cruise tourism generates 290 million euros every year in the Balearic Islands

27/10/2015

Cruise tourism generates an estimate income of 290 million euros every year in the Balearic Islands, including direct, indirect and derived income, contributing to the economy of the Islands with 146.46 million euros of gross value added and creating 2.879 jobs, of which 1.867 would be direct jobs. These are data of 2011 (updated with data of the GDP of December 2013) from a study led by the department of Economy and Business of the Confederation of Business Associations of the Balearic Islands (CAEB) in collaboration with the Port Authority of Balearic Islands (APB) and the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) and which underscores the important contribution of the harbours in the development of the cities and in the revitalization of the economic activity and the creation of jobs. In 2011 the volume of cruise passengers was of 1,6 million. It is estimated that with a global average stay of 1.49 days per tourist, a direct annual expenditure of 180.33 million euros is generated, which represents an average annual expenditure per passenger of 112.09 euros. In Majorca the average expenditure is higher than in the rest of islands, as a third part of the cruises depart from or arrive at Majorca. By sectors, the greatest part of the expenditure done by cruise tourists goes to the commercial sector: 99.60 million euros, that is, a 55.3%. The rest of the expenditure is divided between travel agencies, bars and restaurants, road transport or accommodation for extra stay. In October, only in Palma, more than 90 cruises will have called at Palma harbour. During the next low season –between November and March- similar numbers are expected, which are slightly higher than those registered during the same period last year. Farewell in Palma to the cruise Island Escape. Palma farewells today the cruise Island Escape, of the company Island Cruises. With 427 calls, it is the second cruise with the most calls at Palma since its first visit on the 19th of March 2002. Today it has done its last call at the Majorcan harbour before being broken up. The president of the APB, Joan Gual de Torrella, has paid tribute to the cruise and its crew, to which he has given a photo of the Island Escape with the Bellver Castle at the background. This way Gual has expressed the gratitude of the APB to “a symbol of fidelity to Palma’s harbour which has extraordinarily contributed with the consolidation of the Balearic Islands as one of the main cruise destinations of the world”. Economic Impact of the State Harbours in the Balearic Islands

A workshop on Maó’s Port organised by Cercle d’Economia de Menorca

23/10/2015

Cercle d´Economia de Menorca celebrates next Saturday October 24th session entitled “Un plan estratégico para el puerto de Maó” (“An strategic plan for Maó Port”), with the participation of Joan Gual de Torrella, president of Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB). The event will take place in Club Marítim de Maó between 9.30 and 14h. APB President will participate in a round table at 12.30h together with Ricard Pié Ninot (architect, Professor of Urban planning at UPC (Escuela de Arquitectura del Vallès) and Director of Instituto de Habitat Turismo y Territorio), Jesús López (Murcia municipal architect, former Architecture Chief and Refurbishment of Cartagena City Council), Joan Alemany (Professor of University of Barcelona and organiser of III international course of Historic Ports last 2003 in Maó) and the Major Conxa Juanola, municipal president of the port.

Maó Port Police seized hundred meters illegal fishing nets.

21/10/2015

Mahon Port Police has seized hundred meters of illegal fishing nets after intercepting two sneaky fishermen in port inland waters. Police got a call reporting a possible violation. Port Police turned up with a Ports de Balears’ boat, given that it is an illegal but also an activity that may endanger navigation in the area. Alleged infringers admitted the facts, once warned about the danger of their acts and marked the spot where the nets were set. Events took place last October 19th and, despite bad weather conditions, Port Police got nets on board and safely return to port.

Retired APB workers set up an Association

15/10/2015

Retired APB workers (Balearic Islands’ Port Authority) want to keep their linking with the company, so they have constituted an association consequently, made up of at least hundred partners. There are only two retired workers’ associations of port authorities currently: Balearic Islands and the pioneering association in Tarragona. Pedro Bonet is the first president of this brand-new association and Pep Durán is its vice-president, although both recall this association is an idea of Miquel Serra and Tomeu Garau, deceased colleagues in APB. Pedro was the lighthouse keeper of Portopí during 20 years –the last person living inside– and also the lighthouse coordinator. “All notes labelled in Portopí lighthouse museum until 1998 were made by me”. Pep was Port Police and “Alfa” also, this is to say, Chief of Section of Port Police during 38 years. He was also member of the Board of Directors of APB for two years, being the legal representative of the workforce. “I like to say port was like a big orchard with agriculturists, where everyone does his job. we did a bit of everything”. Over the years everything has changed. “When I was Guardhouse Chief, Olga Peñalver –first woman becoming Port Police– began”. And also with Pedro, the first woman – Margalida Frontera– as lighthouse technician. After decades of experiences, they wanted to keep their linking with APB. With this new association they’ll participate in company activities and also stay in touch with other colleagues. They go on field trips every three months, visiting a lighthouse of the island “We have gone around all the lighthouses yet”. Pep Durán and Pedro Bonet at APB headquarters.

MSC Cruises celebrates call number 100 of MSC Preziosa in Palma de Mallorca Port

07/10/2015

MSC Cruises celebrates call number 100 this season in Palma with MSC Preziosa cruise’s arrival. A ship call is done every Wednesday with the cruise ship coming from Cagliari (Italy). MSC Cruises will break the record of ship calls in Palma de Mallorca Port done with the same company and in the same season, surpassing 120 visits. Joan Gual de Torrella, president of Balearic Island’s Port Authority (APB), celebrated the continuity and reliance of the Italian shipping line who “is demonstrating the satisfaction caused by the fact of having a destination such as Balearic Islands for their customers”. As for Emiliano González, General Manager of MSC Cruises, declared “Celebrating our call number 100 in Palma de Mallorca is a matter of pride and reflects the interest of MSC Cruises in Mallorca Island and Mediterranean, where our ship cruises sail the whole year. Palma de Mallorca has been consolidated as one of the most appreciated destination by our customers in Western Mediterranean Sea”. MSC Cruises commitment with Balearic Islands’ capital is reflected by the fact that within the whole year 2015, nine of the twelve ship cruises will call in Palma de Mallorca -MSC Splendida, MSC Prezio-sa, MSC Magnifica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Armonia, MSC Fantasia, MSC Musica, MSC Divina y MSC Opera. MSC Preziosa, with a displacement of 139.072 tons, was built in 2013 and is 333 m length, with a capacity up to 3.502 passengers and 1.388 staff on board. Average speed is 18kn. This flagship has won the “Best Mediterranean Ship Cruise” prize, given by “Premios Excellence de Cruceros” in a ceremony in Palma de Mallorca last March 2015. MSC Cruises is characterised by the huge invest in quality services. Its Palma de Mallorca stop-over is part of a Mediterranean eight-days-route with calls in Valencia, Marseilles, Genoa and Civitavecchia. Shipping agent is Trascoma Baleares, member of Verlio Group.

Balearic Island’s Annual Report online on the website

07/10/2015

Balearic Island’s Port Authority (APB) has just published its 2014 Annual Report, together with the Sustainability Report , showing activity’s institution. To meet its commitment of transparency about APB management, Annual Report are also published in a digital version for public consultation. Throughout these two documents, APB give an account of financial statements, technical features of our five general interest ports, works or general public authorized activities, traffic statistics, execution or finished works, summary of investments, port uses’ information, regular shipping services, companies and port services, together with value creation details of APB towards its interest groups. APB, attached to the Ministry of Development and Public Works, maintain a strong link to Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands. Maritime Authority, National State Administration, State’s ports and Balearic Islands’ leading institutions such as Balearic Islands’ Government, Island Councils and Palma de Mallorca City Council in addition to CAEB Business Confederation, Chamber of Commerce, Provincial Maritime Activities’ company Association (APEAM) and UGT Trade Union are represented in the Management Board.

Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB) allocates EUR 260.000 to enhance a dozen lighthouses in Mallorca.

05/10/2015

Balearic Island’s Port Authority (APB) has awarded Obras y Pavimentos MAN the contract to improve enclosures and interior renovation of some lighthouses and beacons in Mallorca island with a total value of EUR 257.990 A total of 14 actions have been planned, covering ten lighthouses -Alcanada, Cala Figuera, Capdepera, la Creu, Portocolom, Cap Gros, Cap Blanc, Formentor, Punta de l’Avançada y ses Salines-, three beacons -des Morro de sa Carabassa, Punta Plana y sa Puntassa- and a dwelling in Port d’Andratx used for Maritime Signals. Project implementation will have a 5 months estimated duration counted from initiation date of the improvement works. Work execution will not affect maritime traffic nor port operation.

Renewal of the APB Board of Directors

28/09/2015

Balearic Islands’ Government has appointed the members of Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB) Board of Directors following Administrations’ proposal. Decision was made last September 25th during Governing Council and has been published in Balearic Islands’ Official Gazette (BOIB) on September 26th 2015. Members of the Board of the four Balearic Islands’ Government representatives have been renewed, four members of the Board representing Islands’ Councils have also, together with member of the Board representing Palma city council. Public Organism State Ports has also renewed the member of the Board. Therefore, APB Board of Directors is hereby set up as follows: Chairman: Joan Gual de Torrella Guasp. Director: Juan Carlos Plaza Plaza. Vocals: Harbour Master: José F. Escalas Porcel. In representation of the General Administration of the State: Rafael José Torres Gómez. State Lawyers: Ignacio Landa Colomina. State Ports Institution: Nuria Gaitón Redondo. Balearic Islands’ Government: Marc Pons i Pons Jaume Mateu Lladó Maria Antònia Truyols Martí Josep Mallol Vicens Mallorca Government: Antoni Mir Llabrés. Menorca Government: Vicenç Tur Martí. Ibiza Government: Rafael Ruiz González. Formentera Government: Jaume Ferrer Ribas. Palma de Mallorca city Council: Antoni Noguera Ortega. Chambers of Commerce of Balearic Islands: José Luis Roses Ferrer CAEB Enterprises Association: Carmen Planas Palou. APEAM Marine Enterprises Association: Miguel Puigserver Lloberas. U.G.T Trade Union: Miguel Capó Parrilla. Secretary of Port Authority: María Antonia Ginard Moll.

APB invests EUR 690.000 in port protection and security

25/09/2015

APB invested EUR 690.000 in both port protection and security last 2014. APB works in partnership and close cooperation with other Administrations and companies belonging to port community, such as shipping agents, cruise companies, Guardia Civil –Spanish military police–, 112 emergency department, Firemen, 061 IB Salut, Maritime Authority, City police, National Police, General Direction of Emergencies of the Balearic Islands…etc. Aim is to adopt plans of action and specific measures to address the inbuilt port activity risks. Last September 23th, a man was rescued from drowning thanks to an early intervention of Port Police and Ibiza Harbour Pilots near harbour mouth. Harbour Pilots took him out of the water and port agents revived him at port dock by using a hand bump (ambu). In the meantime, 061 was urgently called for an emergency support, thus facilitating the fast arrival of the ambulance with the sanitary equipment to take over the patience. Port Police on duty put acquired resuscitation knowledge into practice, something learned in Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB) promoted courses. It is precisely the held security and rescue training course in March this year.