News APB | Ports de Balears

Balearic Islands Port Authority approves the Business Plan for 2012 that includes an investment of 54.6 million euros

15/12/2011

The Board of Directors of the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) today approved, at its last meeting of the year, the Business Plan for 2012 that foresees an investment of 54.6 million euros to run on the ports of general interest it runs in the Balearic Islands. Among the works scheduled to start next year highlights the dredging of the area close to the Maritime and Port Nou Cós Mahon, budgeted at two million euros. This action seeks to recover the depth of the commercial dock in order to ensure optimal conditions for berthing cruise ships. In the port of Palma will be spent next year twenty-one million euros, of which the majority will go to continue the expansion west docks for mooring cruise of great length, which is expected to enter service during the peak tourist season. Similarly, continuing the construction of docks in the port Botafoc of Ibiza, with an annual investment of seventeen billion, virtually all in 2012 as the port for Ibiza.Similarly, in the port of Alcudia, the fourteen and a half million euros investment will receive will be directed to continue in the stabilization and foundation piers Town, and West Bank.

Pedro’s Boat Centre gana el concurso del varadero del Cós Nou en el puerto de Maó

10/11/2011

El Consejo de Administración de la APB ha aprobado esta tarde adjudicar a la empresa Pedro’s Boat Centre S.L. la explotación del varadero para la reparación de embarcaciones del Cós Nou en el puerto de Maó. La decisión se ha tomado a propuesta del presidente de la APB, José María Urrutia, después de que la comisión técnica encargada de valorar las ofertas presentadas al concurso la considerase como la solución más ventajosa.Pedro’s Boat Centre S.L. gestionará durante 23 años el nuevo varadero, que contará con una superficie cercana a los 37.000 metros cuadrados, de los cuales 30.000 serán en tierra y 7.000 de espejo de agua, y aportará una inversión superior a los 8,6 millones de euros.Entre otros servicios, ofrecerá la izada y botadura de embarcaciones para su limpieza y reparación, traslado y custodia de éstas, la explotación de locales y despachos para las empresas del sector, así como suministro de agua, electricidad, telefonía y la recogida selectiva de basuras y residuos.El varadero dispondrá también de un travelift de 200 toneladas capaz de transportar embarcaciones de hasta 30 metros de eslora. Todo ello supondrá una sustancial mejora de los servicios náuticos ofrecidos hasta el momento, en especial atención a la seguridad y a la protección del medio ambiente.Esta nueva instalación dará un nuevo impulso al sector de la reparación de embarcaciones de Menorca con la generación de un centenar de puestos de trabajo, además de proporcionar al puerto de Maó de mayor competitividad y convertirlo en un potencial punto de referencia en el Mediterráneo occidental en las prestación de servicios náuticos.

New members join the Governing Body of the APB

20/10/2011

Today, the Governing Body of the APB held its first meeting of this term since the regional elections of last May with the new members appointed by the Government of the Balearic Islands. The new members are: Antonio Gomez, Carlos Delgado, David Alonso and Joaquin Garcia, on behalf of the regional government Jaume Colom, on behalf of the General State Administration Ignacio Landa, from the State Attorney’s Office Coloma Terrace, representing the Council of Majorca Agueda Reynes, from the Insular Council of Minorca Marienne Sanchez-Jauregui, from the Council of Ibiza and Fernando Gilet from Palma City Council.

Jorge Nasarre is named new Director of the Balearic Port Authority by the Board of Directors

20/10/2011

The Board of Directors of the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) has named, Jorge Nasarre as the new director of the public body that manages the ports of general interest in the archipelago. The procedure took place by unanimous vote from its members and the proposal by the president, Jose Maria Urrutia. Born in Madrid on August 19, 1972, Jorge Nasarre Lopez is married and is a civil engineer with a specialization in transport, which he received from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. To date he has been the head of the Planning Department of the APB, a position he has held since 2006 and which he won by public tender. Since 1998 he has held various positions related to technical procedures and port management, in both private and public companies, most notably, as chief of the Division of Ports and Oceanography for the company, Intecsa-Inarsa SA, between 2004 and 2006. Regarding his educational background, it is worth noting that he has a Master’s Degree in Management of Infrastructures and Public Services, awarded to him by the College of Civil Engineers, CEDEX and the Agustin de Betancourt Foundation, as well as, Expertise in Shipping and Port Management from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, in collaboration with the State Ports and the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine. Jorge Nasarre replaces Ángel Matías, who has stepped down as director of the APB after sixteen years of service.

The APB will remove architectural barriers in Port Maó to improve accessibility

30/09/2011

The Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) will begin, on Tuesday October 4th, several actions to improve accessibility and remove architectural barriers in the zone of public domain of the Port of Maó with the intention of integrating all citizens, especially those with reduced mobility, into the activities developed there. In order to adapt the public spaces of the Port of Maó to the regulations of architectural barrier removal in the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands, procedures will be undertaken during the next two months to modify and repaint pedestrian crossings. They will be fitted with ramps at points of level variation and will be marked with textured pavement to indicate their presence to blind people. Also, tree surrounds will be eliminated to facilitate the transit of wheelchairs on the sidewalks, urban furniture that interferes with practicable routes will be dismantled, removed and relocated, and existing ramps and stairs will be adapted in cases where no alternative routes are available. The works have a budget of one hundred and eleven thousand euros and have been awarded to the company, EHM S.L. Another action to be carried out in order to facilitate the passage of pedestrians, particularly those with reduced mobility, is the extension of the sidewalk in the section between the ascent to Corea and the stairs of Port Maó. This will give greater scope to a stretch of about three hundred meters of sidewalk located in the final section of the Levante dock. The existing sidewalk will be demolished and a wider one will be built. Also, new street furniture will be installed and integrated with the trees planted this last spring. The work will take two months and has been awarded the company, Antonio Gomila SA, for one hundred and two thousand euros.

The APB enhances Palma as a base for cruise ships with the new EM4

28/09/2011

The APB has just put into operation the new passenger terminal (EM4) in the port of Palma, destined to cover as a base-port for cruise ships that have made the Balearic capital the start and finish of their itinerary in the Mediterranean. The works, which began a year ago, required an investment of 6.6 million euros. This morning, the act of receiving the works took place with the signing by the decision-makers of the APB, the contractor, Vias y Construcciones S.A., and the Public Entity of State Ports. The APB has fully funded the expansion and remodeling of the EM4, which is located at the beginning of the Poniente Docks in the port of Palma, in order to improve services to cruise ships. Here, the operations of embarking and disembarking passengers take place, mainly from cruise ships, and to a lesser extent, regular lines. Most of the cruise ships that dock at the pier associated with the terminal use it as a base. The works involved the construction of a two-storey building annexed to the existing one, the relocation all facilities and the creation of a waiting room for embarking passengers of cruise ships beginning and ending their journeys in Palma. Also, another area for baggage handling was built and fixed gangways were constructed to connect this terminal to other nearby terminals located in the Paraires area of the port of Palma. In addition, the check-in area was amplified to make room for more counters. The new building has an area of 1,848 square meters on the ground floor and 881 square meters on the first floor. The entry into public service has been gradual. The renovated section began operating in April, while the extension will be open to passengers tomorrow, after today´s signing of the receipt of the work by the chairman of the APB, Jose Maria Urrutia. The building features the latest in energy saving measures and standards of universal accessibility. With regards to environmental issues, the air-conditioning is controlled by a domotic management system that adjusts to the comfort needs of the passengers, depending on the occupation of the building and the season of the year. Furthermore, 72% of the hot water consumption of the building is covered by solar panels. The terminal is equipped with closed circuit television connected to the control center of the port of Palma and a modern fire alarm system.

The first of eighteen caissons being fabricated for the expansion the Poniente docks arrives at the port of Palma

09/09/2011

The Balearic Islands Port Authority has, since this morning, the first of the eighteen caissons that are being built for the expansion of the Poniente docks. The expansion will provide berthing for cruise ships of great length. At about half past ten in the morning the tug, Silveira Charuca, docked at Dique del Oeste dock in the port of Palma. It had departed on Wednesday at half past one from the port of Sagunto carrying the piece which is to be submerged early next week. The caisson, 30 meters long by 15 meters wide by 16.5 meters high, was built during the month of August at the port of Sagunto, Valencia, by the company Cyes. It was designed using 1,692.50 cubic meters of concrete and more than 140,000 kilograms of steel. Cyes has built nine of the eighteen boxes that are to form the new pier, while the company SATO-OHL will be responsible for the construction of the remaining nine, also in the port of Sagunto. It is expected that by the end of this year all the caissons will be constructed. The pieces will be placed on a foundation of boulders previously formed on the seabed of the port of Palma. The extension of the Poniente docks in the port of Palma is intended to adapt to new trends in maritime traffic and provide simultaneous berthing for vessels of over three hundred meters in length. The extension consists of eighteen rectangular concrete caissons, separated so as to allow water to circulate through them. This is a major environmental improvement as it allows the continual renewal of water within the inner dock of the harbor. The separation between caissons is maintained by a reinforced concrete slab that will shape the future thirty meter wide pier. This work will result in land reclamation of 12,643 square meters from the sea, a prolongation of the existing Poniente dock by about fifty meters and the creation of two new berthing lines of approximately 360 meters in length.

The APB acquires two hybrid cars for the police in the port of Palma

09/08/2011

The APB has purchased two hybrid vehicles operating in the police station of Palma. These are two hybrid cars, technology lighter, compact and efficient, equipped with electric mode and conventional, with combined output of 98 HP and combined consumption of 4.6 liters per 100 kilometers. Vehicles, Honda Insight model and have already been put into service, have CO2 emissions to the atmosphere of 105 grams perkilometer and are equipped with complete equipment for police service. The acquisition of these new cars is included in the ABS policy to promote environmental protection by replacing existing motor vehicles with hybrid and other low power consumption. The cost of this investment has led to the Port Authority an expenditure of 44,074.70 euros, excluding VAT.

The APB updates the PEI of the five ports of general interest that manages Islands

05/08/2011

The APB is re-establishing the Emergency Plans (IEP) of the five ports of general interest that runs in the Islands. The updated plans are being made with the collaboration of all stakeholders and conducting emergency drills in each of the ports. The PEI is a set of specific actions to perform in emergencies at port facilities and is specific for each of the ports, which considers the peculiarities of these. The renewal of the protocols for emergency action has had numerous contacts and training sessions with stakeholders. In the preliminary investigation and sharing of information have been involved, in addition to its own staff of the APB, the Directorate General of Govern d´Emergències de les Illes Balears, Palma firefighters and the Consells of Mallorca, Menorca, Eivissa and Formentera, Civil Guard, National Police, local police de Palma, Mahon Alcudia, Ibiza and Formentera, the 061, Harbour Master of Palma, Eivissa, Menorca district maritime, mooring, dock, practical, marpols, consignees, shippers and dealers in every port. The update of the PEI have also had the drills of accidents with dangerous goods in each of the ports, except in Alcudia, which is scheduled to take place next autumn. In these simulations have been performed with the latest facilities and technologies implemented by the ABS, such as closed circuit television and videoconferencing systems have allowed the monitoring operations from the port of Palma, in direct contact with the new control centers and crisis rooms created in each of the ports. For the relocation of PEI, the APB has received technical assistance from the company i Tissaire Associates, with extensive experience in the implementation of emergency plans in ports such as Barcelona and Tarragona, among others.

José María Urrutia Mera takes office as President of the Balearic Islands Port Authority

03/08/2011

On this day it has been published, in the Official State Bulletin, the appointment by Ministry of Public Order of José María Urrutia Mera as the new chairman of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), replacing Francesc Triay, who ceases to hold office. He was born in El Ferrol in 1954. Married with one daughter, Urrutia is Captain in the Navy and has extensive professional experience. In 2008 he was appointed Commander of the Marine Sector of the Balearic Islands and the Shipmaster of Palma, a position he held until July 2011, on which date he passed to Reserve status. During his long professional career, the new president of the APB has held various appointments on land, on the Military Staff Comittee of Maritime Zone of the Canary Islands, in the Communications Section of the Tactics Division of the Military Staff Comittee of the Navy, in the NATO Headquarters in Southern Europe (AFSOUTH HQ), in the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Defense and at the Maritime Command Headquarters of NATO in the Mediterranean, where he was Chief of the CIS between 2005 and 2008. As a specialist in communications systems and submarines, he was also assigned to various ships like the destroyer Marquis Ensenada the minesweeper Tajo submarines like Isaac Peral, Narwhal, Siroco Tonina the training ship Juan Sebastian Elcano, as professor and communications officer and the patrol vessel Infanta Elena, where he was Chief Operations and Tactics Officer. He was also Commander of the patrol vessel Mouro and Deputy Commander and Acting Commander of the oil tanker Marques de la Ensenada. In addition, José María Urrutia was the Spanish representative for several group assignments for NATO between 1996 and 2008 and has been honored with several awards and honorable mentions for his work.

Ibiza to have a new modern passenger terminal

07/06/2011

The new station at the port of Ibiza projected by the APB on the docks of Botafoc aims to resolve the deficiencies in existing space, safety and comfort. With a budget of close to EUR 25 million, the building will consist of three distinct modules. It will be built on an area of12,500 square meters distributed over two floors and a terrace. About one million passengers are expected to pass every year through their facilities. The project takes into account environmental measures in order to achieve a rational use of energy, and is designed to include accessibility criteria. From the terrace there you can admire the old town of Ibiza, declared a World Heritage by UNESCO.Embarking and disembarking will take place via two fixed bridges connecting the station to the ships. There will be a pre-boarding area for heavy vehicles separate from the car park. It will also have a public bus stop and a temporary car park for tourists. Inside the building, the lobby will house all passenger services such as information on arrivals and departures, car rental offices, ticket sales and a modern baggage check service. Located on the second floor are the shops, cafes and restaurants.

The APB promotes the ports of Alcudia and Maó in Greece

04/06/2011

The Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) participated from the 1st to 4th June in the 38th edition of the Seatrade Medcruise Convention. The general assembly of this organization, which is dedicated exclusively to market cruises in the Mediterranean, was held at the Greek port of Piraeus. The leaders of the APB went with the aim of promoting the Balearic Islands as a cruise destination for the forthcoming seasons, in particular, the ports of Alcudia and Maó for cruise ships of medium length. At the meeting Medcruise contacts were made with half a dozen of the most important carriers in the world and although no specific agreements were closed, the impression was very positive. Medcruise, of which the APB is one of its senior partners, is a private body which represents the cruise ports of the Mediterranean and its annual meeting is attended by the most important companies related to this type of tourism.