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

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

Palma de Mallorca

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).