News APB | Ports de Balears

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

The Port of Palma as a consensus-based strategic axis for urban integration and sustainability

04/12/2024

The future of the Port of Palma took the spotlight at this morning's forum held at the institutional head offices of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), which was organised by Grupo Serra's specialised newspaper, El Económico. Under the slogan “A consensus project for the city, economy, territorial connectivity and industrial competitiveness”, the forum explored the opportunities and challenges arising from restructuring this strategic space, with the project already underway. Bringing together prominent political, business and technical leaders, the event featured keynote speeches that highlighted the port's importance as Palma's economic, social and cultural driving force. The president of the APB, Javier Sanz, delivered a speech in which he outlined how the port of Palma is to be redeveloped, emphasising the port organisation's commitment to sustainability, urban integration and improved economic competitiveness, as well as the consensus achieved in its approach. During his presentation, Sanz highlighted how this project seeks to balance port needs with the creation of accessible spaces for citizens by promoting cultural, educational and recreational activities in the freed-up areas. “We want the Port of Palma to serve as a model of sustainability and connection with the city. This project not only responds to the economic and logistical challenges, but also to the need to build a more people-oriented port, which is available to citizens and respectful of the environment,” said the president of the APB. The Port Authority's objective is to establish the Port of Palma as a global benchmark for innovation, sustainability and competitiveness. To do so, the project includes a reorganisation of port uses, maintaining ferry activity and boosting the nautical industry in the West dock. New urban spaces will also be created for education, culture and sport, which will democratise access to the port. There are also plans to reduce the environmental impact through renewable energies, clean technologies and energy efficiency. Lastly, this project will strengthen the local economy by consolidating key sectors such as maritime transport and ship repair. A forum to discuss the port's future The forum also included presentations and panel discussions attended by political and business representatives and those from educational, cultural and sporting bodies. The president of Puertos del Estado (State Ports), Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, highlighted the strategic role played by the ports as driving forces for sustainable development. The Mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez, also spoke about the need to integrate the port into the city's urban dynamics, promoting its sustainability and connectivity with the surrounding area. The panel discussions tackled key aspects such as logistical efficiency, the nautical industry's opportunities and port-city integration. Experts such as Matteo Catani (GNV), Adolfo Utor (Baleària), Pedro Suasi (Balearic Marine Cluster) and Albert Forés (Museu Marítim de Mallorca) contributed valuable perspectives on the future of the Port of Palma. A consensus-based project focused on the future The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands conducted a participatory process to define the future of the Port of Palma, where over 65 interest groups put forward their needs and suggestions and reached widespread consensus that reinforces its viability and social acceptance. The project to redevelop the Port of Palma has become a driving force for transformation that strengthens the city's cultural identity, boosts innovation and meets the sustainability objectives established at local, national and European level. The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands once again confirms its commitment to this vision, promoting an intelligent, sustainable and well-integrated port that adds value to the city, its citizens and the natural environment. To close the forum, APB director Toni Ginard summarised the most important aspects discussed by the participants and noted that the word ‘consensus’ was the most frequently heard word throughout the day. “This project represents our shared responsibility to convert the Port of Palma into a benchmark, where sustainability, integration and progress work together harmoniously and benefit everyone,” he concluded.

Port-city Transport and infrastructure Socio-economic development

La Lonja Marina Charter wins the tender to manage the moorings at the Lonja quay in the Port of Palma

27/11/2024

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) reached an agreement at its latest session held last week in Palma to select the company La Lonja Marina Charter to manage the moorings at the Lonja quay in the Port of Palma. The nautical facility will only serve Spanish vessels on the sixth list or foreign vessels exclusively for charter or rental. The Lonja Marina Charter emerged as the most competitive solution of all the bids submitted in the tender to manage an area of over 18,000 square metres of public port space in one of the Port of Palma's most historic areas. The concessionaire will invest around €3.5 million for an eight-year tenure and will contribute an annual amount of more than €1.6 million in occupancy and activity fees. Environmental improvements La Lonja Marina Charter has managed this nautical facility since 2009 and is now committed to refurbishing and upgrading existing quays and pontoons, as well as installing office, workshop and storage units. Highlights of the project include the environmental improvements committed to minimising water and electricity consumption, cleaning the water surface, improving marine biodiversity, as well as installing solar pergolas to produce almost 220,000 kilowatt hours per year.

Transport and infrastructure

The APB raises the barrier on the Marina promenade of the Port of Ibiza on 1 December for the entire winter

27/11/2024

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) will raise the access barrier to the Marina promenade in the Port of Ibiza on 1 December to allow road traffic to pass through. With this, the APB upholds its agreement with the Ibiza Town Council to boost mobility and facilitate parking during the winter months. This is the same initiative that was very successful last year. Car parking on the Marina promenade will continue to be allowed 24 hours a day, although there will be a two-hour limit between 8 am and 10 pm in order to encourage vehicle rotation. Motorists will be required to place a piece of paper in a visible place in the car with the start time of the parking period. The spaces reserved for loading and unloading will also be kept to support commercial activity in the area. By repeating this initiative, the APB and Ibiza Town Council have responded to the positive response from citizens, local residents and shopkeepers. It is also a sign of their collaboration to facilitate mobility and offer greater comfort during the winter months.

Port-city

The APB puts the restaurant at Menorca’s Artrutx lighthouse in Menorca up for public tender for 15 years

21/11/2024

At its last meeting, held yesterday in the port of Palma, the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) approved, the specifications and clauses governing the public tender for the management of an establishment providing tourism services in the Artrutx lighthouse (Menorca). This time, the administrative concession will be for a maximum of 15 years. The Artrutx lighthouse restaurant opened its doors in 2009, the only lighthouse in Menorca and just the second in the whole of the Balearic Islands to provide such a service, together with the one at Formentor (Mallorca). Ever since it opened, it has been managed by the granting of short term authorisations. The purpose of this tender is to choose the best solution for the granting of a concession for the exploitation of several spaces, including several rooms in the lighthouse building, the lighthouse keeper’s house, a warehouse and annexes, as well as its terraces. The annual amount of the occupancy fee will be 22,144 euros and an activity fee of 4% of turnover has been established.

Transport and infrastructure

The management of the Botafoc moorings in the port of Eivissa is put out to tender

21/11/2024

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) agreed at the meeting held yesterday afternoon in the port of Palma to approve the specifications and clauses that will govern the public tender for the administrative management of mooring places, the service station, the dry dock area and commercial premises at Botafoc, in the port of Eivissa. The duration of the concession will be two years, renewable up to a maximum of three years. At present, the Special Plan for the Port of Eivissa is being processed, which conditions and precludes a call for tenders for the granting of a concession, with long terms of 20 to 30 years that would allow the amortisation of the significant investments that this installation requires. Specifically, the reorganisation of land and water spaces, the complete renovation of maritime infrastructures and buildings on land, in order to improve the quality of the services provided at this facility. For this reason, the APB is obliged to launch a tender for site occupancy authorisation for a maximum period of three years. It should be noted that the processing of the Special Plan is currently at a very advanced stage, so it is hoped that it will soon be approved. The purpose of this tender is to select the most advantageous solution for the granting of an administrative concession for the management and operation of a plot of ninety-seven square metres, of which forty-three square metres correspond to areas of land on which a series of buildings for commercial use will be constructed, a service station to supply fuel to recreational craft, an area for mooring and repairing boats, and an area providing mooring and repair services for boats. Furthermore, there are more than fifty-four square metres of water mirror where mooring services are provided to 432 boats distributed over five pontoons. The annual amount of the occupancy fee will be 2,215,013.76 euros and the activity fee is established as 4% of the turnover.

Transport and infrastructure

The APB has awarded the concession for the management of the El Molinar dock for small vessels in the port of Palma

11/11/2024

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has granted the concession for the management of the nautical facility in the El Molinar dock in the port of Palma to the company Nautic Assets Developers Team, S.L. The new facility will have sixty moorings for smaller boats of up to eight metres in length, as well as the existing and fully refurbished social building. The awardee company will invest 672,000 euros in the installation of new pontoons and other facilities and will manage the concession for a period of 18 years. In addition, it will take over the management of the building, using the ground floor as a bar-cafeteria-restaurant and the first floor for social and cultural activities. Work on the facility will begin shortly and is expected to be completed in time for the high season in the summer. Nautic Assets Developers Team will contribute 68,000 euros annually as an improvement in the occupancy and activity fees, which is in addition to the amount of 58,5000 euros and 4% of the turnover, as established in the tender specifications. In granting the concession, the APB has honoured its commitment to maintain the dimensions of the El Molinar dock and the type of boats it accommodates, as well as to improve the integration between the port and the city, promote sports activities and ensure that the moorings maintain their social function. Renovated building With regard to the building located in the Molinar marina, the refurbishment work has been completed, and the keys are expected to be handed over to the new concessionaire shortly. From the outset, the APB has been committed to preserving the structure of the historic building, recognising the value of the heritage derived from its history and construction style while at the same time complying with the urban planning requirements set out in the Special Plan for the Port of Palma. The actual state of the structure was much worse than expected, leading to a slowdown in the works and an increase in the budget to 1.2 million euros. This summer, the APB finished the work to clean the seabed of the El Molinar dock, extracting the 1,400 cubic metres of rock and sand that had not been removed since the end of the works to restore the original draught and ensure safe navigation inside the bay.

Port-city Transport and infrastructure

The APB sends a team of fifty plus staff and material to help in the wake of the storm emergency

07/11/2024

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) dispatched its first convoy of volunteers and machinery this week to provide assistance following the storm damage in the Valencian Community. This aid is intended to help the Valencian people and ensure that resources reach the most affected areas, reiterating the APB's commitment to solidarity during this difficult time. The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands has deployed over 50 volunteers, including Port Police officers and staff from the Conservation Department, together with the necessary machinery for the relief work. The detachment will be divided into convoys of six staff members that will work alternately over the coming weeks. Yesterday, the first unit arrived in Valencia, made up of Port Police officers from the ports of Palma and Ibiza. The volunteer team will work in Benetússer, one of the worst affected areas and home to a colleague from the Castellón Port Police who died during the catastrophe. The resources included generators, pumps, support vehicles, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), etc. This specific contribution responds to the needs that the Port Authority of Valencia and the Port Authority of Castellón have made known to the APB over the last few days of ongoing contact. Their current priority is to have skilled staff and heavy machinery available to support the clean-up work and the unblocking of streets and accesses to facilitate the passage of humanitarian aid to the affected areas. APB volunteers will therefore collaborate in essential tasks such as the removal of vehicles and traffic control, reinforcing security and order in this difficult situation. Baleària's collaboration Throughout the emergency response, the shipping company Baleària has helped transport volunteers and the machinery required for the relief work in the areas affected by the disaster. This collaboration has made it possible for the resources and support staff sent by the APB to reach Valencia quickly and efficiently.

Port-city

The APB has awarded the concession for the management of the Ribera Norte moorings in the port of Mahón

31/10/2024

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) agreed, at its most recent meeting held yesterday in Palma, to select the bid submitted by the company La Azulona 2023 as the winning bid for the concession to manage the Ribera Norte moorings in the port of Mahón. It was deemed the best offer presented in a public tender process aimed at improving the facility's infrastructures and sustainability. The project submitted by La Azulona 2023 includes a comprehensive renovation of the facilities, with an investment budget exceeding 8.8 million euros. It also features initiatives aimed at reducing water and electricity consumption, as well as the installation of photovoltaic panels to generate green energy. In addition, advanced bilge and grey-water management systems will be implemented to enhance environmental standards in the port of Mahón. In terms of mooring charges, the proposal offers a significant reduction in tariffs for Mahón-based vessels of up to 8 metres in length, a measure that will considerably benefit its users. The concession, which has a maximum term of 12 years, comprises an area of more than 57,600 square metres of water surface. As for the annual fee to be paid to the APB for occupying the space, La Azulona 2023 offered 1.1 million euros more than the amount stipulated in the tender conditions. Therefore, the new concessionaire will pay the port authority 1.3 million euros per year, plus 4% of its turnover, as set out in the tender specifications.

Transport and infrastructure