News APB | Ports de Balears

The APB gets into the spirit of Book Day with theatre, books and culture by the sea

15/04/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) is hosting a cultural event open to everyone to celebrate Book Day in the port of Palma. The event combines literature, theatre, heritage and citizen participation, with free activities for all ages.Throughout the day on 23 April, visitors can enjoy improv theatre inspired by the ports of general interest in the Balearic Islands, with a creative and humorous take on the maritime world. A micro-theatre piece will also be performed, focusing on the figure of Captain Toni, an intrepid sailor, privateer and Spanish military officer who was a lieutenant general in the Spanish Royal Navy.In addition, the public will be able to take a self-guided tour of the Contramuelle-Mollet, freely discovering some of the most emblematic and unknown corners of this port infrastructure. The event will also include a book sale, featuring a wide selection of maritime and port-related titles with something for everyone.At the same time, the APB will launch a competition on its social media channels. All participants will receive a book published by the APB on the history of lighthouses and ports of general interest in the Balearic Islands.With this initiative, the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands once again shows its commitment to culture, the region, and the community, opening up port spaces to new ways of experiencing them and highlighting their social and cultural importance.

Port-city

APB and Alcudiamar sign a new agreement on good environmental practices

07/04/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) and Alcudiamar have signed an agreement to renew their environmental best practices, confirming their commitment to sustainability and protecting the marine environment in the port of Alcúdia.This renewed agreement involves the approval of a new Five-Year Plan for Environmental Works and Investment for the period 2025-2030. The plan includes a series of pioneering initiatives aimed at improving marine biodiversity, energy efficiency and the implementation of new technologies for sustainable port management.The planned actions include a marine renaturalisation project, which involves setting up advanced systems like the Bio Boosting System and biomimetic micro-reefs to boost biodiversity and improve water quality. The information and safety signs will also be updated with LED technology powered by solar panels, and new solar panels will be installed to heat water, replacing the current ones to improve energy efficiency and reduce electricity consumption.Plus, there are plans to install a charging point for electric boats to help promote sustainable sailing. A cleaning robot called GENESEAS will be deployed to remove plastic waste and hydrocarbons from the water surface, while the SPILLCONTROL system will use cameras and artificial intelligence to detect spills and respond quickly to potential pollution. In addition, carbon footprint monitoring and reduction will be carried out with AENOR verification.The president of the APB, Javier Sanz, pointed out that this renewal of the agreement reflects the desire to integrate sustainability into port management, ensuring the preservation of the marine environment for future generations. In turn, Alcudiamar President Bartomeu Bestard said that putting these innovative projects into action shows how serious the company is about protecting the environment and giving port users top-notch service.The plan, which entails a significant investment, will give Alcudiamar access to the activity tax rebates provided for in current legislation, thereby encouraging the implementation of responsible practices in port management. With this renewal, APB and Alcudiamar show how serious they are about sustainability and environmental excellence, making Alcúdia marina a leader in protecting and restoring the marine environment.

Environment and CSR

The APB boosts marine biodiversity on the Portitxol and Molinar breakwaters in the port of Palma

04/04/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has launched an innovative project to promote marine biodiversity on the breakwaters of the Portitxol and Molinar ports in the port of Palma. The project makes use of concrete blocks designed specifically to encourage the colonisation of marine flora and fauna.With an investment of €1.5 million and a three-month timeframe, the initiative aims not only to reinforce the stability of the breakwaters against rising sea levels and adverse weather conditions, but also to promote the regeneration of the marine ecosystem.This technique is based on combining textured surfaces and biopotentiating materials that facilitate marine organisms settling. Tangible results in the biodiversity of the area are expected to begin to be seen within two years.This action shows the APB's commitment to sustainability and protecting the marine environment, going for innovative solutions that help balance port infrastructure and the conservation of natural ecosystems.

Environment and CSR Transport and infrastructure

Tanit Ibiza Port will continue with the management of the moorings in the West dock of the port of Ibiza

28/03/2025

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) resolved, in a meeting held yesterday in Palma, to choose the bid of Tanit Ibiza Port SA, as the most advantageous of those submitted in the public tender for the management of the moorings in the West dock of the port of Ibiza. This company is the current concession holder operating under the trading name of Marina Port Ibiza.The concession involves servicing 94 mooring places for pleasure boats, with a total surface area of more than 20,600 square metres of port public domain area, most of which is occupied by the water surface. The lengths of the boats range from six and a half metres to 60 metres.Most of the moorings, 82 to be precise, are less than 15 metres in length, while a dozen moorings are for vessels between 25 and 60 metres in length. The operating area also includes two floors of a building owned by the APB with an area of just over eighty square metres, used for storage, marina matters and offices of the concession holder.Tanit Ibiza Port is committed to an investment of nearly one million euros in infrastructure and to the annual payment of nearly three million euros in occupancy fees, improvements and four per cent of the turnover for the business activity tax. The concession period is four years with the possibility of a two-year extension.

Socio-economic development

The APB prohibits the use of scrubbers on ships berthed in port in its new water quality ordinance

25/03/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has approved a new ordinance aimed at improving water quality in its ports by restricting the use of certain exhaust gas cleaning systems. The regulation specifically prohibits the use of open-loop systems, known as scrubbers, requiring ships to operate in closed-loop systems and to properly manage the waste generated.This measure prevents the discharge of contaminated water into the sea, significantly reducing the environmental footprint of maritime traffic and contributing to the conservation of the marine ecosystem of the Balearic Islands. Furthermore, it will benefit both local flora and fauna and key sectors of the Balearic economy, such as tourism and fishing.One of the key aspects of the ordinance is the prohibition of scrubbers within port waters, as these allow the direct discharge of washings into the sea. Instead, ships equipped with closed-loop or hybrid systems must store the waste generated and deliver it to reception facilities on land, thus preventing its release into the marine ecosystem.The regulations also require all ships to report on the existence and operation of these systems on board. The APB and the competent maritime authority will carry out regular inspections to ensure compliance.Inspections and regulationThis new regulation will help stop heavy metals and sulphur compounds from being dumped into the sea, cutting down on harmful substances that mess with marine biodiversity. Plus, the move encourages more responsible management of waste from ships, in line with the MARPOL guidelines for preventing pollution from ships.This new ordinance consolidates the APB's strategy to reduce the environmental impact of maritime traffic, promoting cleaner and more responsible shipping. This reinforces the port authority's commitment to protecting the marine ecosystem and improving the quality of port waters.At a time when preserving the marine environment is a global priority, regulating exhaust gas cleaning systems is a fundamental step forward. This measure sees the APB further strengthen its role as a driving force for more sustainable maritime transport that is aligned with current environmental challenges.

Environment and CSR Transport and infrastructure

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands and the Association of Civil Engineers renew their agreement to review and approve projects in the public port sector

24/03/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) and the Association of Civil Engineers (CICCP) have signed a new approval agreement today that will contribute to increasing the competitiveness, efficiency and safety of public works projects and professional work in the ports of general interest in the Autonomous Community.The document was signed this morning at the administrative headquarters of the port of Palma by the president of the APB, Javier Sanz, and the dean of the Balearic Islands branch of the CICCP, Sara Lobato.Present at the signing were Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, President of Puertos del Estado Miguel Ángel Carrillo Suárez, President of the CICCP at national level Toni Ginard, Director of the APB and Jorge Nasarre, Head of Planning and Strategy at the APB and member of the CICCP's governing board in the Balearic Islands.The approval and review of professional work by professional associations is regulated as a public function that can only be carried out by professional associations. In this case, the CICCP is the only competent body in the field of civil engineering, and membership of this association is mandatory in Spain in order to practise the profession.The agreement signed by the APB specifically includes construction projects, technical specifications and construction management and technical assistance.Newly included in this four-year agreement, which may be extended for another four years, is the approval of specifications for maintenance and operating supplies and services. It also includes the terms and conditions and reports for the granting of concessions, as well as health and safety coordination plans and tasks. When the approval includes a verification report, in the case of projects, these may be for execution by the APB (public investment) or by concessionaires (private investment).Greater coverageIn addition, by signing off on the work covered, the agreement ensures that all APB technicians participating in the project are covered by professional liability insurance, thus offering greater technical and legal security to the institution's employees.Both the president of the APB and the dean of the CICCP have welcomed the renewal of this agreement, which will contribute to greater technical and legal rigour in the projects planned by the Port Authority.This agreement is part of the signing in 2021 of the General Performance Protocol for collaboration between Puertos del Estado and the CICCP. Through this protocol, agreements have been established with various Spanish ports. The purpose of this agreement will be to check that the work carried out or in which civil engineers participate complies with the documentary, technical and regulatory requirements applicable in each case and will include the coverage of the Professional Civil Liability policies that the Association has taken out depending on the activity endorsed.

Transport and infrastructure

The APB launches the new Bus Nàutic service linking the port of Palma with the city

21/03/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) unveiled a new public transport service today called “Bus Nàutic Palma”, a maritime bus that will connect different parts of the port of Palma with a view to improving mobility and reducing road traffic. The initiative comes as part of the Mobility Plan that came about after the redevelopment of the seafront promenade, which is set to finish on 16 April.The president of the APB, Javier Sanz, appeared before the media today to announce the “Bus Nàutic Palma” project, which will operate with a minimum of three lines, offering a sustainable transport alternative for residents, port workers and tourists. The initial fleet will consist of at least four low-emission vessels, each with a capacity of 100 passengers. The fares will offer discounts to frequent passengers, promoting the use of the “Bus Nàutic” as a real sustainable transport alternative.Sanz said the APB came up with this idea to fit in with the new promenade, which is all about “making more space for people to walk, making public areas more natural, and taking the focus away from cars”. That said, as part of its commitment to a sustainable transport model, he added that “the APB has proposed an alternative within its area of competence, namely the port's inland waters".The main stops will include Maritime Station No. 6 on the West Quay, the Poniente Quay, the Golondrinas Quay, Portitxol and the royal steps of the Lonja Quay. The service will operate every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and until midnight on weekends.The APB plans to put the service concession out to public tender shortly, as part of its commitment to decarbonisation and the improvement of urban transport in the port area. The new "Bus Nàutic Palma" will be integrated into a broader Mobility Plan that seeks to transform the port-city area into a more accessible and sustainable space for pedestrians and cyclists. Among the measures planned is the creation of a "hub" or transport node on the Golondrinas quay, where different mobility alternatives such as conventional and electric bicycles, scooters and low-emission vehicles will be concentrated.Completion of the workJavier Sanz has confirmed that the works will be completed on 16 April, just before Easter, as promised by the APB several months ago. He explained that there has been a “change to the schedule” at the request of shopkeepers and residents affected by the works, "so we cannot talk about delays”. He recalled that the initial completion date was December 2014, but in order to ensure that the traders' business was not affected at any time, new deadlines for the paving of the pavements were agreed with each of them. Similarly, the rubbish containers were relocated at the request of local residents and business owners, which meant a further alteration to the planned schedule.Although Sanz acknowledged that there are some outstanding issues in the overall project, "these do not affect the essence of the project, they do not cause any significant inconvenience to users and most of them will be finished by 31 July".The president of the APB has put forward another date, 5 October, as the date for the celebration of "a new space for the people of Palma". The event will feature activities for the whole family, including a charity fun run and various environmental awareness workshops, coinciding with the end of the tourist season for the enjoyment of residents. During the preceding months, initiatives such as tree planting and educational activities will be carried out to familiarise the public with the new space.Mutual benefitsDuring his appearance, Javier Sanz highlighted the benefits that this project, worth close to forty million euros, will bring to both the port and the city. The project is being carried out by a joint venture formed by the Mallorcan companies Melchor Mascaró, Vopsa, Aglomsa and Urbient.The new promenade has completely renovated underground facilities, including improvements to the rainwater and wastewater separation system, modernisation of urban service pipes and optimisation of irrigation water use.In addition, special attention has been paid to the integration of the landscape into the surrounding area, with the planting of nearly two thousand new trees and the expansion of more than 40,000 square metres of green areas. These measures aim to improve environmental quality and create new shaded areas and rest areas for citizens.

Port-city Socio-economic development

Regulated parking in the port of Ibiza ends on 20 March

19/03/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) will end the regulated parking period on Paseo de la Marina and Avenida de Santa Eulalia tomorrow, Thursday 20 March, marking a return to the summer schedule. This permits vehicle access to the South Quay area for loading and unloading between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.The decision to lift the port barrier during the winter was requested by the Ibiza Town Council to facilitate mobility and parking in the area, and has been in place since autumn 2023. With the economic revival of the port's businesses coinciding with the good weather, the Marina promenade is once again predominantly pedestrianised.

Port-city

Over 12 tonnes of waste removed from the ports of Ibiza and La Savina in a four-year clean-up of the water surface

12/03/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has removed over twelve tonnes of waste during clean-up operations carried out over the last four years in the ports of Ibiza and La Savina. The service is estimated to have cost more than €1.3 million and was carried out by the Patena Ibiza-La Savina joint venture, which is responsible for cleaning the water surface and combating environmental pollution in these two ports.A total of 12,550 kg of waste was collected between October 2020 and October 2024, with just over 12,000 kg coming from the port of Ibiza and the rest, just over 500 kg, from La Savina. This work has been key to reducing pollution in port areas and improving water quality and the marine environment.These details come from a summary report on the service, which shows that most of the waste collected falls into several categories. Firstly, the largest category, accounting for 54% of the total, is discarded material, namely, small organic and plastic waste that cannot be separated, as well as bulky items that cannot be reused.Secondly, plastic waste and light packaging, including bottles, bags and packaging, account for 22% of the total. Organic waste, mainly vegetable waste from algae, plants or pieces of wood, is another important group, accounting for 21% of the material collected. Finally, the remaining 3% corresponds to other waste not included in the above groups.Land-based originLand-based waste accounts for the majority of waste, at 40% of the total, while marine waste accounts for 21%. It is estimated that 20% of waste originates from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and includes wipes, condoms, sanitary pads and other personal hygiene items.Fifteen per cent of the waste removed, such as life rings, bumpers and other debris accidentally dropped into the sea, accounts for 15%, while the remaining 4% is professional fishing nets and recreational fishing gear.The material resources available to the APB for this service include an 8.5-metre electric pelican boat, a 7.6-metre semi-electric semi-rigid boat, a remote-controlled floating drone, an oil skimmer and a pickup truck.The APB is rolling out its environmental strategy, which was approved in 2021 and includes, among other things, preventing discharges into the sea and monitoring water quality. However, discharges unrelated to port activity continue to occur and must be removed to achieve adequate water quality.

Environment and CSR Technology and innovation

The TSJIB rules in favour of the APB and dismisses CM Molinar de Levante's appeal against the eviction and suspension of its activities

12/03/2025

The High Court of Justice of the Balearic Islands (Spanish acronym: TSJIB) has dismissed the appeal lodged by the Club Marítimo Molinar de Levante (CMML) against the decision of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (Spanish acronym: APB) revoking its temporary occupancy permit and ordering the eviction of the facilities located in the Caló d'en Rigo dock in the port of Palma. The ruling refers to events that took place in 2019 when the nautical organisation refused to leave the port area after its occupancy rights had expired.The court rejected the CMML's claims in its ruling of 24 January 2025, including the alleged abuse of power and arbitrariness on the part of the APB. The Chamber upholds that the port authority acted within its powers and that the club was aware from the outset of the authorisation of the possibility of revocation due to the execution of works in the area.The TSJIB also recalls that a previous ruling in June 2023 had already confirmed the legality of the suspension of the club's restaurant activities. According to the ruling, the CMML accepted the occupancy authorisation in March 2019 with full awareness of its temporary nature and of the clauses allowing for its unilateral revocation.The court highlights that the eviction was necessary to carry out works in the port area, as confirmed by inspections that revealed the poor condition of the docks and the social building. It also rejects the alleged violation of the principles of transparency, objectivity and legitimate expectations, considering that the APB's actions were in accordance with the law and the public interest.This ruling brings an end to the dispute over the termination of the CMML's occupancy permit, strengthening the APB's position in the ongoing insolvency proceedings. In addition, the TSIB highlighted the good work of the APB in this process, especially the outcome of the witness testimony.Legal confrontationAs of February 2019, CMML and APB entered into a conflict due to the club's refusal to vacate its premises. The APB had informed CMML on 14 February 2019 of the termination of its occupancy rights in the small port of Molinar, requesting the transfer of the boats to Portitxol to begin the planned refurbishment works. However, the club requested an extension, arguing delays in the delivery of keys and authorisations by the APB, which was denied by the Port Authority.In May 2019, the situation escalated when Port Police officers ordered the cessation of activities in the building that housed CMML's restaurant and head office, preventing access to the building. Despite this order, the club announced its intention to continue operating until it received a court ruling ordering the eviction.Subsequently, in October 2019, the APB applied to the TSJIB for the administrative eviction of CMML from the facilities it occupied, thus seeking a judicial resolution that would support the need to free up the space in order to proceed with the planned works in the port.

Transport and infrastructure

The APB unveils its first Equal Opportunities Plan for Men and Women as part of International Women's Day

07/03/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has launched its first Equal Opportunities Plan for Men and Women as part of the conference ‘The sea and the sky through women's eyes’, organised today in collaboration with Diario de Mallorca at the Port Centre in the port of Palma. Several panel discussions, talks and workshops led by female professionals from the world of maritime affairs and astronomy offered a female perspective on these fields, highlighting the presence of women in these sectors.APB President Javier Sanz welcomed attendees to the Port Centre, located at the APB's institutional headquarters, acknowledging that women are ‘underrepresented’ in these two sectors. Sanz said that the recently signed plan is an important step “towards equality becoming a reality rather than just a goal”.Male-dominated sectorsThe day continued with two panel discussions where the realities of women's presence in the maritime and scientific world were discussed. The first presentation looked at the female perspective on the historically male-dominated maritime sector, with contributions from sailor Helena Alegre, the first female bridge officer at the Grimaldi shipping company, Regina Palaus, and the head of Operations and Port Services at the APB, Eva González.González explained that the male tradition in the merchant navy can be explained by its military origins, as engineering courses have traditionally been dominated by men. However, she argued that the maritime world is much more diverse than it appears and that there are great job opportunities for young women, both at sea and on land.In the second panel discussion, the institutional delegate for the CSIC Balearic Islands, Salud Deudero, the coordinator of the Sa Dragonera Blava project of the Save The Med Foundation, Yaiza Santana, the coordinator at the Marilles Foundation and Observadores del Mar, Sandra Espeja, and the director of Quality, Innovation and Sustainability at Astilleros de Mallorca, Lucía Mingot, discussed climate change and maritime sustainability.In their contributions, moderated by Diario de Mallorca journalist Mar Ferragut, they gave numerous examples of women professionals in their day-to-day work. For example, Deudero talked about how female scientists collect data and samples, which they then use to predict the effects of global warming. “We need to raise awareness, not just among kids, but also among business leaders and other people, about the dangers of climate change denial,” she said.Historic landmark and star-studded eveningThe head of the APB's Corporate Governance Department, Laura Molano, concluded the morning session by summarising the conclusions of the First Equal Opportunities Plan for Men and Women recently approved by the port authority. Molano described this step as a ‘historic milestone’ after 152 years of the organisation's existence.Molano believes that this plan, which was “fought for by the union and the company, reflects the absolute need for change” in the level of female representation in the port and also the commitment to inform all young people about the great job opportunities that exist in the port sector. "The APB will not stop working to achieve equality," he concluded.The event “The sea and the sky through women's eyes” continues this afternoon with a talk on the presence of women in astronomy by the AstroJoves youth group and an interactive workshop with the constellation planetarium and a planisphere workshop for all ages by AstroMallorca.

Port-city

The APB and the Consell de Formentera sign an agreement to regulate parking at the port of La Savina

03/03/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) and the Consell Insular de Formentera (Formentera Island Council) have signed a deal to regulate parking in the port of La Savina. This agreement will allow the Council to manage regulated parking in the port area either directly or through a contracted company.The five-year initial agreement establishes that the Consell Insular de Formentera will be responsible for installing and maintaining the necessary signage and facilities to regulate parking. This service will cover over 2,800 square metres of public port land, with 215 regulated parking spaces, nine spaces for people with reduced mobility, 30-minute parking zones and spaces reserved for loading and unloading.The president of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, José Javier Sanz Fernández, explained that this agreement responds to the need to improve mobility and traffic organisation in the port of La Savina, which is a strategic location for the island. “Regulating car parking in this area will contribute to better management of public space, benefiting both residents and visitors,” he said.The president of the Consell Insular de Formentera, Óscar Portas, underlined the importance of this collaboration with the APB to optimise the use of available space in the port of La Savina. “Having all these parking spaces means improving the situation for both residents of Formentera and visitors,” he said.The signing of this agreement strengthens the collaboration between the two institutions in the management of the port of La Savina, ensuring better traffic organisation and more efficient use of public space in the port.

Port-city