News APB | Ports de Balears

The European Union will subsidise 40% of the investment in Cold Ironing in the ports of Palma, Alcúdia, Eivissa and Maó

24/02/2023

The Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda has provisionally approved the subsidy for the Programme to Support Sustainable and Digital Transport on a competitive basis, financed by the European Union - NextGenerationEU, awarded to the port authorities of the Balearic Islands and Barcelona for the implementation of electric land connection systems for ships. This technique, known as cold ironing, is an alternative for ships to turn off their engines and consequently eliminate the noise and their polluting impact while they are moored in port. The commissioning of these facilities in the Balearic Islands is planned for the second half of 2024 and will involve an investment of 12.3 million euros, 40% of which will be financed by the European Union. It will be specifically implemented in the ports of Palma (Paraires and Commercial docks), Alcúdia (Ponent docks), Eivissa (Botafoc docks) and Maó (Cós Nou). The first cold ironing system was installed by the APB at the Paraires quay in the port of Palma, and is prepared to connect to the electricity grid, although not simultaneously, a ferry-type vessel with a maximum power demand of 1,600 kW (medium voltage) and another fast ferry-type vessel with a demand of 800 kW (low voltage). For the on-shore electrical connection, the system has 275 metres of medium voltage underground lines, a transformation centre and a frequency elevating substation in the service area of the port of Palma. Support for institutions In this respect, the support of the local institutions has been unanimous: town councils, island councils and the Government of the Balearic Islands have signed a letter of endorsement that accompanies the initiative, with the conviction that climate neutrality and the will of the ports of general interest of the Balearic Islands to be as respectful as possible of the environment is a common objective. When in port, ships use their auxiliary engines to produce electricity during loading, unloading and mooring operations. Although the amount of emissions produced during the mooring phase is less than during the maritime traffic phase itself, in this case the pollutants emitted directly affect the air quality of the population centres near the port, as well as the port itself. The use of electrical energy from the national grid means a reduction in the emissions produced by the ship, as the emission factor per MWh of the grid’s generators is much lower than that of the ship's auxiliary engines.

Environment and CSR Next Generation UE Technology and innovation Transport and infrastructure

Work on Palma’s new promenade will begin on 18 November

24/02/2023

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) today informed the stakeholders affected by the remodelling of Palma’s new seafront promenade that work will begin on Friday 18 November. It has also provided details of the construction work and the different phases scheduled during the 20 months that it will last. The aim of this entire project is to achieve a consolidated and safe infrastructure that involves less inconvenience and allows for more efficient and effective performance of the works. These will begin one month after the signing of the contract with the joint venture between the Mallorcan companies Melchor Mascaró, Vopsa, Urbient and Aglomsa, and the day after the signing of the document verifying readiness for construction, which indicates when the work on the project begins. The remodelling work will consist of three phases, plus an initial preparation phase. Phase 0, which will last until the beginning of 2023, will involve the preliminary actions necessary to start the works, such as access to fords, removal of some kerbs, signposting and placement of barriers. Parking spaces will not be affected until after the Christmas holidays. Four traffic lanes With regard to traffic, four lanes (two in each direction) will be maintained along the entire route and throughout the works, and before starting, specific remodelling of the current pavement on the sea side must be carried out to convert it into a carriageway. Therefore, the first phase will be on the land side, without initially affecting the terraces of any businesses. It will entail widening the pavement in order to maintain the pedestrian route and accessibility to the premises. The next phase will be on the sea side, so the traffic lanes will be moved to the already remodelled section of the land area. Continuous communication Stakeholders, who met today at the APB’s institutional headquarters, were also informed of the implementation of an information management plan to keep users, residents, businessmen and society in general informed of the development of the works and future actions that may affect them. These will include the creation of a microsite or digital platform where information on the project will be published, as well as notices of public interest as the works progress. Meetings will also be held with stakeholders and the public will be informed through social networks, the media and other forms of communication.

Port-city Transport and infrastructure Socio-economic development

Work on the Formentor lighthouse road to resume on 14 November

24/02/2023

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) will resume work on the structural reinforcement of the earth retaining wall on the access road to the Formentor lighthouse on 14 November. From that day onwards, and in coordination with the different administrations, access to the lighthouse will be closed to all traffic and persons not involved in the works, at the car park at the Cape Formentor viewpoint. The works are scheduled to be completed on 23 January 2023. On 22 June 2022, with the reinforcement work partially completed, the road was partially opened for reasons of public interest and the start of the tourist season. Now the lining of the retaining wall will be completed with a dry stone wall to be built before the summer. Notice boards will soon be installed at the roundabout at the Formentor beach car park.

Transport and infrastructure Socio-economic development

The improvement of energy efficiency of the lighting in the port of Alcúdia will reduce energy consumption by 50%

24/02/2023

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) will improve the lighting installations in the port of Alcúdia in order to reduce energy consumption and its associated cost by half the current consumption. The actions resulting from the analysis of the lighting in the different premises and areas will entail fundamental changes in the equipment and operation of the entire system, aimed at providing all areas of the port with uniform lighting values. The main action, which began this November, consists of the creation of new lighting points and the replacement of most of the lighting of the 739 current points with more efficient LEDs, resulting in an energy saving of 50%. In addition, the management of the lighting point control panels will be renewed and unified, and a remote management and point-to-point control system will be set up for the entire lighting installation in the port area. Work is currently continuing with the construction of new electrical conduits in the areas where new lighting will be installed and the replacement of the necessary supports to standardise their typology, with heights ranging from 3 to 20 metres. Savings of 50% The current energy consumption of the port is estimated at 838,016 kWh/year. With the changes proposed, the new project will reduce this by more than half. The company awarded the contract is ELECNOR, SERVICIOS Y PROYECTOS, S.A., with a budget of €809,043.34, and a completion period of 5 months. This investment is expected to create 20 direct jobs. Different areas coexist in the port, such as those with exclusive access for port activity and public spaces, areas used by light and heavy vehicles or pedestrians, and goods transport sectors. In all of them, the Regulation on Energy Efficiency in Exterior Lighting Installations and the Guide to Energy Management in Ports will be complied with.

Environment and CSR Port-city Technology and innovation

Today and tomorrow the APB is hosting the 5th Technical Conference on Port Archives

24/02/2023

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) is hosting the 5th Technical Conference on Port Archives, entitled 'The archive, a time capsule', starting today. For two days, experts in port archiving and researchers will present their points of view on the general characteristics and strategic dimension of the documentary collections of port archives. First of all, the director of the Arxiu del Regne de Mallorca, Ricard Urgell, will review the existing documentation on the port of the city of Palma between the 15th and 18th centuries. Later, the archive of the Port Authority of Huelva will be presented as a research model and the documentary heritage of the MITMA general archive. The conference will include two round tables. The first, this Thursday, will deal with the historical archives of the Spanish port system in the 21st century. The following day will offer a practical vision of electronic administration and archiving through the cases of the port authorities of Ferrol, Cartagena and the Balearic Islands. Other presentations will look at the port documentation housed in the National Historical Archive, the model of cooperation between institutions of the Balearic Islands Historical Archives Platform and artificial intelligence as a mechanism to facilitate the dissemination of documentary archives.

150th anniversary Port-city

The work on Palma’s Seafront Promenade begins

24/02/2023

As planned, the works for the remodelling of Palma's promenade began this Friday, 18 November, one month after the signing of the contract with the joint venture between the Mallorcan companies Melchor Mascaró, Vopsa, Urbient and Aglomsa, and the day after the pre-construction review document was signed. Once the planning meetings of the agents involved in the work terminated, the first signs and barriers were installed late in the morning in the Paraires area. The remodelling work will consist of three phases, plus an initial preparation phase. This phase 0, which is the one that started today and will last until the beginning of 2023, will involve the preliminary actions necessary to start the works, such as accesses to fords, removal of some curbs, signalling and installation of barriers and temporary relocation of bus stops and traffic lights. Parking spaces will not be affected until after the Christmas holidays. Palma’s new Seafront Promenade starts with a new image that symbolises a new space in the city near the sea, giving people a better quality of life, fresh vegetation and a more pleasant environment. noupasseigmaritimdepalma.portsdebalears.com The APB has launched an information management plan to keep users, neighbours, businessmen and society in general informed about the development of the works and future actions that may affect them through the web portal noupasseigmaritimdepalma.portsdebalears.com. Information on the project, as well as notices of public interest as the works progress, will be published on the digital platform launched today

Port-city

La APB habilita una zona de aparcamiento adicional en el puerto de Eivissa durante la temporada baja

24/02/2023

As the low season arrives, the port's operational needs are fewer, so from tomorrow, 22 November, until 15 March, the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), in collaboration with Eivissa Town Council, will set up an additional parking area on Avda. Santa Eulàlia in Eivissa, next to the Ribera Poniente quay and opposite the Formentera Maritime Station and the Club Náutico Ibiza yacht club. As in previous years, this area that is made available to citizens to solve the problem of finding parking in the city centre during the winter.

Port-city

The exhibition 'Ports d’un temps' (Ports of a time) shows port life through old photographs

14/10/2022

From 14 October to 5 January, the institutional headquarters of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) will be hosting the exhibition Ports d’un temps (Ports of a time), jointly organised by Fotos Antiguas de Mallorca (FAM) and the APB, as part of the celebration of the institution’s 150th anniversary. The intention is to look into the past to take us on an emotional journey to many places in the ports of general interest in the Balearic Islands. The journey unfolds through the eyes of the protagonists who lived through those times and who left a great cultural legacy so that we can enjoy those moments today. Along this journey we will be able to visit emblematic neighbourhoods like the Jonquet, the Old Quay, Dalt Vila, etc. We will also be able to learn about the customs and habits of the people who lived there and who in some way are the precursors of today’s society. This exhibition has obtained photographs from the Historical Archive of the APB and the photographic collection provided by FAM, which is made up of four photographers who were the protagonists of this journey: Bartolomé Reus Bordoy, Antonio Llodrá, Melchor Guardia and the Sastre Palmer family. EXHIBITION OPENING HOURS Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: From 10:00 to 15:00 Friday: From 14:00 to 19:00 Sunday: From 11:00 to 14:00

150th anniversary Port-city

The new water surface cleaning service in the ports of Eivissa and La Savina consists of cutting-edge technological equipment

06/10/2022

The water surface cleaning service in the ports of Eivissa and La Savina takes a step forward with the use of unique devices on the Spanish coastline. The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) is therefore committed to using energy-efficient and more sustainable equipment to keep the ports clean and, at the same time, reduce the carbon footprint. The commitment of the company Patena Pitiusas, in charge of this work, involves not exceeding 20 objects in an area of 50,000 square metres. The service is managed by a team of professionals on duty 24/7, 365 days a year, who respond to possible incidents within a maximum of 30 minutes. The 818,000 square metres of water surface in the port of Eivissa require 38 half-days of work per month, while the 53,000 square metres in the port of La Savina are kept in perfect condition with 6 half-days. A thorough cleaning of the water sheet improves the safety of the port, reducing the probability of collisions with large objects, blocked propellers and breakdowns due to obstruction in the cooling circuits. Waste collected Since October 2020, 42 anti-pollution days have taken place. Of the almost 5 tonnes of waste collected between October 2020 and July 2022, 47% is from rejects, 33% from organic waste and 20% from plastic. The majority comes from land (38%), while 26% comes from the sea. To a lesser extent, the sewage treatment plant, boating and fishing. Waste is classified by origin (sewage treatment plant, land, sea, nautical and fishing) and by typology (plastics, organic, rejects and others). All of this is recorded in a useful scientific database. In addition, emergencies are attended to in the event of oil spills, grey water, navigation obstacles, fires at APB, and ships sinking. Vessels Three vessels are used to clean the water surface. The first, 100% electric and solar-powered, has a large central hydraulic shovel, capable of picking up objects ranging from 10 millimetres to one tonne. It is 8.5 metres long and has a shallow draft (0.5 m) for shallow water operation. A second vessel cleans up areas of greater risk and bad weather conditions as it is equipped with flexible, highly resistant sides, and operates in anti-pollution initiatives. It is hybrid and has photovoltaic panels and an electric motor. The cleaning equipment is complemented by a two-metre surface cleaning drone and a 250-litre marine waste collection basket with 8 hours of autonomy. It is designed to reach the most difficult access areas between jetties and boats.

Environment and CSR Technology and innovation

APB reflects with its stakeholders on the energy transition in the Mediterranean

28/09/2022

One hundred people gathered this morning at the institutional headquarters of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) to listen to the presentations and reflections on Mar Blue 2022, entitled “The energy transition in the Mediterranean Sea”. The conference, organised in collaboration with the Balearic Marine Cluster and MEDVOLT Marine, explored the necessary energy transition in the Mediterranean Sea, to determine the challenges and opportunities this creates for the nautical and port industry. It has provided first-hand knowledge of the initiatives that are already underway in the private sector, as well as the tools and aid that the public sector is supplying to facilitate and promote traffic towards a blue and sustainable economy. The meeting began with the director of the APB, Jorge Nasarre arguing in favour of “achieving the climate neutrality of the ports”, which requires the implementation of ambitious solutions and at least three strategic lines of action: Energy efficiency, decarbonising port activity and reconverting energy production, storage and distribution infrastructures for fossil fuels. In relation to today’s event, Nasarre pointed out that the main purpose “is to make the sector and society aware of the magnitude and urgency of the challenge we are facing, but also to inspire the design of global and local decarbonisation strategies, to reflect on the potential for new business opportunities that the change towards an energy model based on renewable sources opens up for the ports and, finally, to provide a space for optimism”.

Environment and CSR Socio-economic development Technology and innovation

The APB transforms its vehicle fleet to make it more sustainable

20/09/2022

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has replaced its more than 10-year-old combustion vehicles with electric ones, in order to reduce its carbon footprint and form a more sustainable transport fleet. This covers a total of 29 vehicles: 19 vans, 2 passenger cars, 1 ATV and 7 motorcycles. 20 of them are for Palma, 3 for Alcúdia, 5 for Maó and 1 for Elvissa. The project is part of the plan to replace the vehicles of the General State Administration with others that do not emit pollutants into the atmosphere (ZERO label). This will result in a more modern and efficient vehicle fleet, thanks to financial support from the Next-Generation EU Recovery Fund.

Environment and CSR Technology and innovation

Today the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands celebrates its 150th anniversary

16/08/2022

Today the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the approval by Royal Order of the creation of the Works Committee of the Port of Palma, its own port management body that gave rise to the current APB after several name changes and ports of competence throughout its history. On 16 August 1872, the Director General of Public Works, acting on behalf of the Minister of Public Works, authorised the creation of "a Committee responsible for everything related to the improvements made in the port of Palma". This committee was made up of the governor of the province, as president, and representatives of the Provincial Council, Town Council, Trade Section, Board of Agriculture, Industry and Trade, two merchants, two shipowners, two landowners and, lastly, the Navy commander and civil engineer. 150th anniversary banner To commemorate this date, the APB has commissioned a banner with the names of the current members of its Board of Directors. The illustrator, Flavia Gargiulo, and the calligrapher, Paz Alomar, have been commissioned to immortalise for the entity’s history a list of the highest-ranking officials of the port authority. The APB thus continues the tradition begun in 1972, when it celebrated the centenary of the creation of the port's managing body, with two banners designed with the names of the members of the Committee of the Port of Palma in 1872 and 1972. B. Moll designed these banners. Mariano de Quintana is listed as the head of the 1872 Port Committee, while one hundred years later, in 1972, Miguel Nigorra Oliver held the position of president, with Antonio Dicenta de Vera as director and Antonio Cirerol Thomás as secretary. In 2022, Francesc Antich Oliver is elected president, Jorge Nasarre López director and María Antonia Ginard Moll secretary of the Board of Directors, so far the only woman to hold this position in the history of the institution. Domingo Bonnín Daniel, representing the Consell Insular de Mallorca and the latest addition to the Board of Directors, appears in the 2022 banner. Pomegranates and Gothic lettering The Madrid-based illustrator, Flavia Gargiulo, has used flowers and pomegranates to illustrate the banner, with golden details to enhance the 150th anniversary logo created for the occasion, while the calligrapher, Paz Alomar, has opted for Gothic lettering to continue the classic tradition of the APB’s banners. The work is done on natural goatskin parchment.

150th anniversary History