Noticias APB | Ports de Balears

The APB will terminate the contract with Isolux due to failure to fulfil the works of Es Martell

05/04/2016

The Balearic Islands' Port Authority (APB) has started the proceedings to terminate the contract with the firm Isolux Corsán, in charge of the works of Es Martell, at Ibiza's Port, due to breach of contract. The cleaning works of the site and the construction of the foundations of the future building will conclude before summer, once the demolition of the old maritime station finishes. However, the works will not continue, as the contracted firm is failing to fulfil the deadlines and its obligations, not only with the APB but also with subcontractors and suppliers. According to the president of the APB, Joan Gual de Torrella, "Isolux won the contract being the third Spanish firm in public works —we could not expect more solvency—. However, it has entered a difficult asset situation and is now unable to fulfil the contract". In view of this situation, the APB will terminate the contract, suspend the construction until the end of the high summer season and take the appropriate legal actions against the defaulter firm. "They have defaulted on their contract and the APB has to react in order to avoid future inconveniences to Ibiza, and above all, to the neighbourhood of the Marina", Gual de Torrella has stated. For the construction phase of Es Martell building, the APB will open a bidding process whose regulations have already been written, so that the construction of the building can start at the end of the summer season. The APB hopes that more firms participate in the bidding process —also smaller local firms—, as the budget will not be as high due to the fact that the first demolition and foundation works have been finished. The Es Martell building is included in the remodelling project of Ibiza's Port, whose design has been made in collaboration with Vila's city council. In view of this situation, the APB will work to avoid any inconveniences to the neighbours and shopkeepers and to make Vila's Port remodelling a reality as soon as possible, according to plan.

Nao Victoria arrives at Alcudia port for the first time and may be visited

29/03/2016

A Nao Victoria replica, the first ship rounding the world trip for the first time in the last 500 years, arrives in Alcudia from Sète, the French port. The ship will arrive at this Majorcan port, only under favourable weather forecast, next March 30th and will dock at Muelle de las Golondrinas where may be visited from Thursday March 31th until April 3rd from 11 to 20h. Nao Victoria replica is 26 metres length and 7 metres beam, fully wood built and, between 2004 and 2006, it rounded the world trip, calling in 17 different countries. It is the first a ship like this crosses that long. Under Alcudia City Council and Balearic Islands Port Authority’s collaboration, the ship arrives in Mallorca after taking part in a European historic ships’ concentration in Sète (France). Those who are willing to visit the ship, may admire it together with knowing about its history and sailor’s way of life, the ones that occupied it since sixteenth century and also the way of life of those sailors currently occupying it while rounding the world. VISITS: Date: 31th until April 3rd Place: Puerto Deportivo de Alcudiamar, Alcudia port. From 11.00h. to 20.00h. Tickets: adults: 3€ / Children 5 to 10 y.o: 2€ Tickets can be bought at ship’s entrance or at www.naovictoriashop.org

Palma is getting ready to host the world biggest ship cruises as base port

29/03/2016

Palma port is getting ready to be the base port of the world biggest ship cruises, adapting its facilities. Palma is currently acting as base port for mid ship cruises, those starting and finishing the trip in this city, with the subsequent economic benefit for the island. With this aim and with the objective of managing big ship cruises’ passengers arriving and departing, Balearic Islands’ Port Authority will refurbish Maritime Station number 6 at Palma port, works currently under bidding phase. A 360 metres length ship cruise can accommodate up to 7.000 people. The new terminal is necessary for the shipping lines and concessionaire companies to offer a good service to the passengers and also to service companies. Besides, each ship cruise using Palma as base port, duplicates number of passengers in each port call because passengers embark and disembark the same cruise in the same day. As published in Spanish Official Gazette (BOE as per the Spanish initials) March 19th edition, expanding and remodelling works of the maritime station have an initial bidding budget amounted to EUR 19,4 million. The maximum schedule for the contract is 18 months. Interested companies may contact APB contracting department for further information or Public Sector trading platform at www.contrataciondelestado.es Companies opting the public tender must meet the following classifications: C1e (demolition), C3f (metallic structures), I6e (low voltage distribution) and J2e (ventilation, heating and conditioning). Closing date for submission is April 19th 2016 at APB Registration (Moll Vell 3-5, Palma).

Balearic Islands’ general interest ports, accessible from a new App for smartphones

23/03/2016

Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and la Savina ports are available in a new App for smartphones called Posidonia SmartPort from today on. This very new App will help to connect even more, the current port activity with citizens interested. This App can be downloaded from Google Play and Apple Store. Updated information of each port, facilities and port companies is shared through Posidonia SmartPort. Anyone, installing the application, can have a look at vessel’s movement, facilities’ location, port companies and contact info, Balearic Islands’ Port Authority news and weather forecast, among many other services. Posidonia SmartPort is a useful tool ports, even for port agents, visitors (such as cruise tourists) and for any company or citizen needing information about ports, thanks to the smartphone access in a swift, practical and easy way connection. All ports’ information is also available from www.portsdebalears.com, recently updated with new utilities

Palma’s Port offers a bike service to cruise passengers

22/03/2016

Cruise passengers arriving at Palma’s Port have access from today to a bike rental service and to a city tour. The company Port Bike Mallorca will be the service provider after winning a public tender opened by the Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB). Port Bike Mallorca rents bikes and electric vehicles and includes the helmet and the accident insurance in the service. Besides, the company offers tourists four different tours on electric bikes with the aim of discovering the city in a different and sustainable way. The tour is from 7 to 11 kilometres long and lasts 4 hours. The excursions allow tourists to visit Palma’s city centre, go shopping, walk up to Bellver Castle or, during summer season, swim in Portixol. Cruise passengers can book the bikes and the city tour directly on the boat, through the company’s website or at its offices in Maritime Station No.3 of Peraires dock. The awardee company conducts surveys among its clients in order to evaluate not only the rendered service but also the city.

Ibiza, one of Balearic Islands’ ports expected to grow the most in 2016

17/03/2016

Ibiza is one of cruise ships’ destination expected to grow the most in 2016. Expected increases are up to 17,5% in port calls, with 141 already confirmed stopovers and 26,57%related to passengers’ increase, reaching 241.000. Ibiza’s port reaches its second best registration since 2012. Related to differentiation strategy of Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB) for islands’ ports, Ibiza is getting ready for large lengths. It is forecasted to come into operations before August the three berthing dolphins docks APB is currently building for large ship cruises’ to operate safety. Besides, Ibiza offers an unique product like long stays for the passengers to be able to enjoy Ibiza night and to take advantage of connection through ferry with Formentera island. APB informed about 2016 projections during Seatrade Cruise Global, taking place in Florida (USA), where Ibiza’s Island Council president, Mr. Vicent Torres and Ibiza’s Island Tourism Director have brought on. Mahon’s port also has a positive progression: 88 port calls in 2016 (3,5% increase) and 65.958 passengers are expected (11,1% increase). APB is promoting Mahon as “Boutique Port” of the Mediterranean, perfect for mid and small ship cruises. The same happens with Alcudia port (Mallorca), the one that has experienced a high growth in percentage terms over the recent times. This port is positioning in Mallorca as a up to 200 metres length ship cruises’ destination which, furthermore, repeat their stay. This 2016 a total of 17 port calls will be recorded (240% increase related to 2015) which brin 8.528 passengers to the island (525% increase). La Savina will receive 12,63% more passengers (1.733) compared to 2015 figures, but 66,67% less cruise ships (3 calls port). Lastly, Palma will receive 1,532.595 passengers in 519 ship cruises’ port calls and even there is a slight decrease related to 2015 figures (-10,99% in passengers), consolidates the rising trend related to past years. In APB overall managed ports, 768 port calls are already confirmed and will transport 1.850.000 passengers.

APB ports placed third in passengers in the Mediterranean and first in transit cruise passengers’

16/03/2016

Ports of Balearic Islands’ Port Authority have risen by one point in the overall ranking in cruise passengers’ and have place third in the Mediterranean, behind Barcelona and Civitavecchia ports, with 1.996.533 passengers. MedCruise has introduced 2015 annual statistics this morning during the Seatrade Cruise Global, taking place by these days in Fort Lauderdale. Ports de Balears, spearheaded by Palma port, have risen from 4th to first position in transit cruise passengers’, among Mediterranean ports, even ahead of Civitavecchia, Barcelona and Naples. Palma Port has also risen from 4th to second position in the Mediterranean in number of registered port calls during 2015, behind of Civitavecchia and ahead of Barcelona with 788 ship cruises per years. Mr. Joan Gual de Torrella, APB president, heading Balearic Islands’ delegation at Seatrade Cruise Global, valuates the figures as a recognition of port authority’s work developed for many years and currently presided by him and specially focused on facilitating the implementation of cruise companies in our ports. However, according to president Gual’s declarations, APB objective has to be ensuring a more balanced distribution of the wealth generation by cruises at destination. “Our aim is not growing up for the pleasure of growing but to complement cruise tourism with the existing offer in the Balearic Islands, to contribute finding new business activities”, Gual remarked. In this regard, APB wants to position Palma’s port as an off-season destination at Seatrade Cruise Global and to increase stopovers as home port, because has fallen from 5th to 6th position of MedCruise classification. Regarding Ibiza’s port, APB wants this port to also be known as a destination for large cruise ships, now that facilities are ready, and also to offer Mahon, Alcudia and La Savina ports to specialised mid and small length ship cruises companies’ with itineraries for more exclusive passengers. MedCruise is the association of Mediterranean Ports and neighbouring seas that aims the growth of cruises’ industry in this area.

The five TUI ship cruises will be based in Palma in 2016

15/03/2016

Palma will be the only port where the five TUI Cruises company ships’ (Mein Schiff 1,2,3,4 and 5) will call in 2016. Mein Schiff 5 is still being built at Turku shipyard (Finland) and will make its maiden voyage next July. The interest of the company in Balearic Islands’ ports has been growing over the years. Last Juny 2014, the brand new Mein Schiff 3 chose Palma’s port, arriving directly from Hamburg during its maiden voyage. During 2016, the five ship cruises of Tui Cruises company will be based in Palma. Next season, these five ship cruises will call up to 53 times in Balearic Islands’ ports altogether. 31 port calls will be in Palma, 20 in Ibiza and 2 in Mahon. Five ship cruises will arrive in Palma. The first one arriving at Palma’s port will be Mein Schiff 1, calling next April 30th from Civitavechia (Italy). The newly launched Mein Schiff 5, with a width of 295 metres, will call five times first stop-over will be next September 23th, coming from Valencia. Mein Schiff 3 will reach Ibiza port in its fiftheen forecasted port calls. With a 293 metres width, it will be one of the biggest cruise ships stopping in the island. First one will be next May 2nd coming from Barcelona and Palma as final destination. Mahon will be the port of the two stop overs of the 264 metres width cruise ship, Mein Schiff 1. There are between 1.900 and 2.600 passengers on board TUI Cruises (depending on the capacity of each ship cruise), German citizens with a big majority.

Cales Fonts’ refurbishment in Port of Maó is completed

15/03/2016

Comprehensive rehabilitation of Cales Fonts (Port of Maó) has been completed. The new road and cobbled terraces are already in service. The small marine port needed a refurbishment, basically in the floor. Pavement has been substituted by asphaltic agglomerate floor and the floor of terraces’ area has been cobbled. Some safety features have been place all along the walking area. Execution has been developed by awarded Construcciones Olives at EUR 146.000, a figure which represents a fall of EUR 34.000 over the bid price). Balearic Islands’ Port Authority have provided 20 street lights coming from the refurbishment to be installed in other parts of the municipality.

The ports of the Balearic Islands specialize for cruise ships depending on the destination

14/03/2016

The Balearic Islands’ Port Authority (APB) attends the Seatrade Cruise Global, the greatest cruise ship exhibition in the world, which is being celebrated until March 17th in Fort Lauderdale (Florida, USA) with the certainty that the ports of the Balearic Islands have become a consolidated destination for cruise ships during their route along the Mediterranean, with almost 800 scheduled calls for this year which will transport almost 1,9 million passengers. Now the main aim of the Balearic Islands’ Port Authority is the specialization of the product, depending on the destination port, with the aim of making the Balearic Islands a competitive destination with other ports. In order to get this aim, institutions and consignee companies led by the APB are collaborating. A delegation led by the president of the APB, Joan Gual de Torrella, with institutional representatives such as the president of Ibiza Council, Vicente Torres, or the Alcudia’s Tourism Councilor, Joan Gaspar Vallori, and consignee companies have travelled to Fort Lauderdale. The ports of the Balearic Islands are being promoted in the stand Ports of Spain of the State Ports. Specialization. Palma’s Port, for example, has facilities prepared to be a base port for cruise ships and for increasing the calls during low season, thanks, among other reasons, to its good communications and a hotel offer available throughout the year. The port can also host the largest cruise ships in the world today. Ibiza’s Port is also being adapted for large vessels. In August the three dolphins that are being built will be already active for large cruise ships and passenger ships to operate with safety. Besides, Ibiza offers a unique product like the long-term stays, so that passengers can enjoy Ibiza’s nights and make use of the communications, via ferry, to the island of Formentera. For its part, Mahon’s Port is positioning and promoting itself as a “port boutique” of the Mediterranean, together with other ports with similar features, such as Seté, Niza, Palamós or Porto Torres. The main aim is to attract medium and small luxury ships whose passengers want to discover the cultural and patrimonial offer of the hosting cities. Alcudia’s Port is being promoted along the same lines. This port features a modern passenger terminal which not only increases the calls, but also fosters loyalty among the vessels, which demonstrates the trust in the destination and service that the APB guarantees.

Maó is internationally promoted by APB as “boutique Port”

12/03/2016

The special natural, geographical and historical features of this port are a great tourist attraction that APB is making known in international forums such as Seatrade Cruise Global, the most important cruises’ exhibition, that will take place in Fort Lauderdale (Florida, USA) next March 14th – 16th 2016. Maó will be the new “boutique Port” of the Mediterranean, perfect for mid and small cruises able to adapt to port features’ whose passengers –high purchasing power tourists– look for small cities known for their culture, history and natural values. In this regard, APB spreads Maó Port, the city and hence also Menorca touristic attractions, with publications in professional journals such as “International Cruise and Ferry Review”, whose Spring/Summer edition includes “A boutique port”, an article which emphasizes “Mahon, one of the longest ports in the Mediterranean, is a great starting point for the visitors to discover Menorca island treasures’”. APB works together with other organisations, such as French Riviera Chamber of Commerce, Piombino and Elba Port Authority, North Sardinia Port Authority, Sète Port and Ports de la Generalitat for a bigger promotion of Maó and also to create a new Occidental Mediterranean boutique ports’ route. Together with Porto Torres (Sardinia), Nice (French Riviera), Porto Ferraio (Elba island), Palamos (Costa Brava) and Sète (South of France), Maó is part of an attractive touristic route with the aim of a common promotion, thus obtaining a wider diffusion. There are nearly hundred port cruise calls’ forecasted for 2016, bringing up to 79.000 passengers, around 34% more than 2015. Just a couple of days ago, the luxury Tere Moana, a 100 metres length cruise with a capacity up to 90 passengers, has requested six new port calls in Maó, forecasted for incoming October, November and December.

The APB unveils a new design and utilities for its website

07/03/2016

The website of the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) has a new design and utilities at the service of the users. The website www.portsdebalears.com inaugurates today a more visual design, new services and a direct access from the home page to the ports of general interest of Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and La Savina. Everything is available in four languages: Spanish, Catalan, English and, for the first time, German. On the APB’s website users will find, on one hand, all the institutional information: from corporate information to documents such as the annual and sustainability report, the annual accounts or the evolution of the main traffic registers in the ports managed by the APB. On the other hand, users will be able to access the legal regulations governing the institution in the interests of transparency. Besides, each of the five ports has its own direct access to service information, to the facilities, business register, port services, plans and photographs. The website also offers the user the possibility to see the ships currently at port and to check the traffic statistics since 2006. Furthermore, the services to the surfer have been extended with the inclusion of all the information regarding the Balearic Islands’ lighthouses, navigation aids and oceanography. Now users may easily access the predictions, real-time data and historic data regarding swell, wind, currents and even salinity, water temperature, wind temperature or sea level, everything thanks to an application developed by State Ports and integrated in the website. Finally, the home page also offers access to the APB’s website, where users may complete different formalities and procedures in an easy, user-friendly and safe environment.