Noticias APB | Ports de Balears

A COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ASSESSES THE SEVEN PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR THE REFURBISHMENT OF THE SEAFRONT PROMENADE OF PALMA

21/09/2018

The committee of experts has convened today at the headquarters of the Balearic Port Authority (APB). It is tasked with evaluating the candidate teams in order to produce the construction project of the new refurbishment of the Seafront Promenade of Palma. A total of seven proposals were presented based on the preliminary design produced by the Town Hall of Palma to convert the current port road into a pedestrian-friendly boulevard. At its meeting today, the committee of experts began to assess the technical and aesthetic criteria with a maximum score of eighty per cent. The remaining twenty per cent will relate to the economic proposals, which will be known on 10 October when the sealed bids are opened. The committee of experts is chaired by Juan Antonio Santamera, Chairman of the Civil Engineering Association, Joan Riera, Urban Planning Manager of the Town Hall of Palma, Martín Lucena, representative of the Official Association of Architects of the Balearic Islands, Carles Llop, architect and teacher at the Superior Technical School of Architecture of Barcelona (ETSAB) and director of the Land and Urban Planning Department of the Territory of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC ) and finally Jorge Nasarre, head of Planning and Sustainability of the APB.

Joan Gual, the President of APB, defends the specialist handling of cruise tourism at the Seatrade Cruise fair in Lisbon

20/09/2018

During the course of the round table organised at the 2018 Sea Trade Cruise Med fair in Lisbon, the President of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), Joan Gual de Torrella, has backed specialist services by each of the agents who intervene in the cruise tourism sector. In this way, Gual explained that the APB offers a service to shipping companies, and the destination area is responsible for creating and providing a complementary tourist service. This additional service, therefore, should be characterised by each location and the shipping companies should be able to adapt to each one. “Palma has gone from being the capital of a tourist destination to being a tourist capital”. That’s how Gual summarised the growth of the capital of Mallorca, which now provides highly specialised commerce and accommodation for its visitors, with boutique hotels and luxury shops. The president of the APB stressed that 40 years ago, the members of the Balearics, Chambers of Commerce, local councils and Parliament pinpointed the development of cruise tourism as an area of growth and urged the APB to invest in infrastructure to make this possible. Therefore, little by little, this tourism sector has grown, culminating in the last five years with the Balearic Islands positioned as the second most popular cruise destination in Spain, and the fourth in the Mediterranean. Gual highlighted that the APB has fulfilled its investment cycle, with the development of construction projects and renovation of the port infrastructure, together with national and international promotion campaigns. They have also taken on studies and support for this tourist product, even leading tasks which fall outside of their field of knowledge and skills expertise, as they have more to do with managing tourist infrastructure on land. “Now, it is necessary for each party to contribute its best skills and abilities. The group of public and private entities specialised in tourism must define and undertake a common strategy, using all the additional services the ports can provide”, stated the President of the APB. Gual underlined the need for specialised management and has stated that “the port will guarantee the best service to the shipping industry, with port operations of the highest quality, while at the same time taking care of the environment by working together with companies to minimise and correct any effects on it”. The APB in Lisbon The main aim of the APB’s presence at this Sea Trade Cruise fair in Lisbon has been to promote the port of Mahon as a high-end, exclusive destination, in order to attract the medium cruise ship sector which fits the tourist services Menorca can provide. The delegation from the Balearic Islands which attended the Seatrade fair made up of Héctor Pons, representing the Mahon local council, Jorge Nasarre, APB Head of Planning and Sustainability and Xisca Leal, APB Sales also welcomed María Ornella Chacón, President of the State Ports, at their Balearic Ports stand.

THE UIB FINISHES THE FIELDWORK TO FIND OUT THE STATUS OF THE POSIDONIA IN THE EXTERNAL WATERS OF THE APB PORTS

18/09/2018

The University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) has completed the fieldwork to study the status of the Posidonia oceanica in the external waters (zone II) of the five ports of general interest managed by the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) (Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and la Savina) and is concluding the analysis of the factors that could affect its proper maintenance and the protection of biodiversity. The results of this study are expected to be presented next November, which will provide information on the current status of the seabed and, in turn, the possible causes of its deterioration. This work is being carried out by the University-Business Foundation of the Balearic Islands (FUEIB), with the aim of finding out the status of the seagrass and studying the possible measures required for its protection. This project, with an allocated budget of one hundred and eight thousand euros, includes the development of software that alerts sailors to potentially critical areas of Posidonia oceanica in zone II of the ports managed by APB and also the development of a computer application that sailors can download to receive alerts on low points where there is danger of grounding. During the fieldwork, information was gathered on the historical distribution of Posidonia oceanica in the external zones belonging to the ports of the APB and the study zones were marked out. In addition, parameter monitoring data were obtained in order to objectively and rigorously assess the conservation status of this aquatic plant. The UIB is currently analysing these results, along with the processing of multiple biomarker and bioindicator samples, and also the determination and quantification of dissolved nutrients. Background information In recent years, the APB has carried out studies and work in order to understand the possible impact generated by port activity, in accordance with its environmental policy, which is part of a management system certified by ISO 14001. In response to the request from the Mediterranean Sailors Association (ADN), the President of the APB, Joan Gual de Torrella, in 2017, commissioned the UIB to conduct a study to analyse the status of the Posidonia oceanica in the external waters (Zone II) of the ports it manages and also the factors that can affect its proper conservation. This study aims to find out, in the most documented and thorough manner possible, the status of the situation and what action is required to protect the seabed.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE PORT AUTHORITY OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AND THE MAYOR OF PALMA TOUR THE RIA DE HUELVA PROMENADE AS A MODEL TO BE APPLIED IN THE CAPITAL OF MALLORCA

13/09/2018

The presidents of the Port Authorities of Huelva and the Balearic Islands, José Luis Ramos and Joan Gual de Torrella, along with the mayors of Palma and Huelva, Antoni Noguera and Gabriel Cruz, held a meeting at the Port of Huelva facilities in order to learn about and analyse the Port-City model and urban development project implemented by the Port of Huelva along the Ria Promenade in order to apply this model in the capital of Mallorca. As part of this delegation, a team of experts from both entities participated in the session. Accordingly, the president of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands stated that, “the port of Palma is going to experience a radical transformation in which the public will play the leading role. The port of Palma,” he added, “is an urban port and Palma is a port city, so the integration of these spaces must be as friendly as possible”. According to José Luis Ramos, the Ria Promenade represents “a role model of urban development in opening up the port to the city of Huelva, making it the perfect setting for all the city’s inhabitants to enjoy, bolstering tourism and economic growth in the city”. He highlighted that the Ria Promenade is “a strong commitment to the combination of sustainability and port-city integration, enabling the public to come to the estuary and enjoy nature in the Marismas de Odiel Natural Area”. The mayor of Huelva noted that “thanks to the Port, Huelva has opened up to the sea through a public space that offers new healthy recreational options for everyone. It’s not just about bringing the city closer to the estuary, but rather, placing our resources, the sea, at the disposal of the citizens of Huelva in order to make a direct impact to enhance the quality of life in the city”. Thus, Gabriel Cruz acknowledged that, “the Port is one of the most significant drivers of infrastructure and investments made in Huelva in recent years,” asserting that, “in the economic model that the Huelva City Council implemented in December for the city's development and progress, the Port of Huelva is one of the mainstays”. The mayor of Palma, Antoni Noguera, stated that over the course of the visit “together with the city of Huelva, its port authority and the City Council we have seen an example for gaining an emblematic space such as the Ria Promenade, and they have explained to us the process, construction and philosophy behind this model”. He emphasised that, “this is a perfect model for the city of Palma and its seafront promenade, which is currently a highway, but which we aim to transform into a core element of the city and green space for the public to enjoy”. After the meeting held at the Port Authority offices, the delegation toured the Ria Promenade facilities and the expansion work being done at the junction between the Tinto Docks and the Levante Pier to gain first-person insight about this urban planning project in order to apply it to the remodelling project to be undertaken for the Palma Seafront Promenade in the Balearic port. Thus, the port authorities of the two cities have commenced a partnership for port-city development, integrating cities and their port areas, and tourism growth. The Ria Promenade, located on the left bank of the Odiel River, spans a length of more than one thousand two hundred fifty metres and is eighty metres wide. This space, which was awarded in 2016 the Andalusia Urban Development Prize, in the category of best project executed, granted by the Regional Department of the Environment and Land Planning of the Government of Andalusia, is part of a major project in the Port of Huelva aimed at the modernisation and environmental recovery of the left bank of the Odiel River. Here, local plant species have been planted and a pedestrian path has been created, extending four kilometres from Sebo Point to the Tinto Dock, where the latest expansion work is underway on the section running toward the old Pertrechos Dock. This expansion leads from Ria Promenade to the heart of the city, prolonging this emblematic project within the strategic approach of proximity and integration of the port into the city of Huelva.

THE PORT AUTHORITY OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS PURCHASES TEN ELECTRIC SCOOTERS FOR THE FLEET OF VEHICLES AT ITS PORTS OF GENERAL INTEREST

13/09/2018

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has purchased a total of ten electric scooters for its fleet of vehicles, four of which are for the port police service at the port of Palma, three for the port of Ibiza (one for maintenance purposes and two for the port police), two for the port police at the port of La Savina and, lastly, one unit for the port police at the port of Mahon. With the aim of promoting respect for the environment, the APB has chosen these ten electric scooters (Silence S02 by Scutum, Police model) with a range of one hundred and twenty-five kilometres and maximum speed of eighty-five kilometres per hour. The S02 Police model is fully equipped with regenerative motor brake, special police fairing with light kit, a special-size wind deflector screen and megaphone. In addition, they have removable batteries that allow for quick charging and battery exchange to ensure the scooter is always ready to go. This purchase marks another step forward in the APB's commitment to adapting the vehicles in the ports of general interest it manages to low-consumption models that are environmentally friendly. This tender was awarded to the company Autos Mistalia, S.L. with a budget of eighty-five thousand two hundred and seventy euros.

THE APB INSTALLS MOBILE SPEED DETECTORS TO CONTROL MAXIMUM SAILING SPEEDS IN THE PORTS OF IBIZA AND LA SAVINA

11/09/2018

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) is installing mobile speed detectors in the ports of Ibiza and La Savina to regulate and control the maximum sailing speeds in the waters at these two ports of general interest. The measure was implemented this week and will be tested until mid-October. Checks are being carried out by Port Police officers on a random basis. The Ibiza and Formentera ports are the first to implement this mobile speed control system, although the APB plans to extend it to the rest of the ports it manages. Once the trial period is over, the Port Police will proceed to report any potential offenders in line with this speed control method using mobile radars. The APB has reminded both the shipping companies and nautical facilities at the ports of Ibiza and La Savina of the fact that there are port ordinances in force establishing the regulation of maximum sailing speeds in the waters of both ports and has also provided them with the areas for their application. Port ordinances The aim of these port ordinances is to regulate the maximum sailing speeds of ships and vessels at ports. The Port of Ibiza has two areas of application: the Botafoc dock and the Interior dock. In the Botafoc dock area, the maximum speed for any type of ship or vessel is set at eight knots or steerageway speed, while in the interior dock, the maximum speed is six knots or steerageway speed. In the port of La Savina, the ordinance also establishes two areas of application however, in this case a distinction is made between the internal water area (zone I) and the external water area (zone II). In Zone I, the maximum sailing speed for any type of ship or vessel is set at six knots or steerageway speed. While in zone II, the maximum speed is fifteen knots, which will need to be gradually reduced in approach courses until reaching a maximum of six knots or steerageway speed, when approaching the entrance of the port.

THE PORT AUTHORITY OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS INSTALLS PORTABLE AWNINGS AT THE PORTS OF IBIZA AND LA SAVINA

11/09/2018

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has launched an upgrade plan for the creation of portable shaded areas at the ports of Ibiza and La Savina. At present, a total of ten portable units have been installed (with a surface area of three by five metres and around two metres high) in order to provide shade and shelter in the port service areas. These portable awnings have been placed in passenger loading and unloading areas, at bus and taxi stops and in the surroundings of the La Savina and Formentera harbour stations at the port of Ibiza. This is a pilot test in order for the APB to try out (both in terms of effectiveness and aesthetics) this type of portable awning used to provide protection from the sun and rain, according to the requirements of the season. This measure has been implemented in September as it is considered a variable month in terms of weather (with both sunny and rainy days) and will be on trial throughout the whole month. The cost of renting these portable awnings is fifteen thousand euros, with the possibility of purchasing them if they are successful. Shade for taxis It is also worth mentioning that Ibiza City Council has installed marquees to provide shelter for customers at the taxi rank at the temporary Botafoc harbour station at the port of Ibiza.

THE PANEL ASSESSES THIRTEEN PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR THE IDEAS COMPETITION RELATING TO THE URBAN REDEVELOPMENT OF CONTRAMOLL-MOLLET AT THE PORT OF PALMA.

06/09/2018

The panel appointed to study and assess the thirteen ideas submitted relating to the urban redevelopment of the Contramuelle-Mollet at the Port of Palma convened today. In this first meeting, a general overview of the proposals was undertaken and score criteria were considered. The thirteen proposals, which were submitted under a slogan so as to maintain anonymity, were accepted by the members of the panel, who have indicated that the decision will be announced at the end of September. According to Joan Gual de Torrella, president of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), the competition aims find the best way to connect the port spaces with the requirements of the city. “The Port of Palma is an urban port and Palma is a port city,” said Gual, who believes that there are areas that "do not encourage citizens to enjoy them”. As such, this initiative seeks to obtain a “qualitative change so that the Contramuelle-Mollet becomes a pedestrian walkway”. Joan Gual is chair of the panel, which also consists of APB specialists and representatives of the Association of Civil Engineers (CICCP), the Architects Association of the Balearic Islands (COAIB), the Council of Mallorca, the Council of Palma and of the Maritime Museum of Mallorca. The prestigious architects Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra and Carlos Puente also form part of the panel. Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra, an architect from Seville, is a honorary professor and director of the international architecture workshop at Catedra Blanca. Some of his most noteworthy work includes the Navigation Pavilion at Expo 92, Planning of the Maritime Seafront in Vigo, Museo del Mare in Genoa, Convention Centre of Seville and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Luxemburg. Carlos Puente is from Bilbao and became an architect at the Higher School of Architecture of Madrid (ETSAM). He is currently an associate professor of architectural projects at the ETSAM and at the San Pablo University Foundation (CEU). He has been in charge of many important projects, such as the Casa de las Conchas in Salamanca, the Palacio de Linares in Madrid for the headquarters of Casa de América and the Faculty of Pharmacy in Alcalá de Henares, among others. Port-city The ideas competition relating to the redevelopment of the Contramuelle-Mollet area at the Port of Palma aims to reorganise that specific port area. It follows the dynamic initiative already underway by the APB to integrate the port into the city for the benefit of users, locals and tourists. Up for grabs in the competition is a first prize of €20,000, two second prizes of €10,000 and three third prizes of €5,000.

The APB enables the online creation of meteorological and ocean alerts for its ports through SAMOA

04/09/2018

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has made the Environmental Scorecard (CMA) available to the public, a service that it launched through the SAMOA project (Meteorological and Oceanographic Support System of the Port Authority). It is a free platform where ocean-meteorological information (wind and waves) can be displayed in both real time and as three-day forecasts. In order to access the Environmental Scorecard, users need to register through the Weather Forecast service at www.portsdebalears.com. Once in the application, users can request the basic mode to access the real-time modules, forecasts and measuring station reports for the ports of general interest in the Balearic archipelago. On the other hand, you can also request a more comprehensive mode to access all modules regarding the selected ports (Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and La Savina). Another key service on the application is the creation of alerts to keep users updated on a daily basis regarding the forecasts at the ports managed by the APB. All you need to do is go to the “Alerts” tab and configure the alerts with your chosen parameters—forecasts for waves and sea level, time series and maps. Users can select a port and a point on which they wish to receive information. A list will then be displayed below to configure the alerts available, which they can receive in two ways: via SMS on their mobile phone or by email. SAMOA 2 Given the success and how well received the SAMOA project has been, State Ports is now launching the SAMOA 2 project. The APB has already signed an agreement with State Ports to be able to check the agitation and current forecast in the inner area of the Port of Palma and the application Oil Spill to predict the trajectory of oil spills in all of its ports. In addition, for Alcudia a very high resolution atmospheric model and another pollutant dispersion model will be used. SAMOA is a project that is co-funded by the port authorities and State Ports and which aims to provide the ports with personalised consultation and operating systems regarding oceanographic and meteorological information. There are a total of 18 port authorities participating in the project run by State Ports. Its main aim is to make personalised ocean-meteorological information available to each port authority which is adapted to their needs. The service consists of different modules (improved instruments and new forecasting systems), which are accompanied by value-added systems to allow for better operation. Create your weather alerts at www.portsdebalears.com.

THE PORT AUTHORITY OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS INFORMS SOLVALGARAY MARÍTIMA THAT IT HAS INITIATED PROCEEDINGS ON THE EXPIRY OF THE CAR PARK CONCESSION AT THE PORT OF LA SAVINA

30/08/2018

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has informed the company Solvalgaray Marítima S.L. that it has initiated legal proceedings regarding the expiry of the license for the car park building at the Port of la Savina. The APB grants the company 15 days from the date of notification to submit any arguments they deem appropriate. The APB believes that this decision is justified by the need to protect the satisfaction of public interest from the incompliance of the obligations undertaken by the concessionaire, who is preventing the public purpose from being fulfilled. Last June, faced with a constant breach of the concessionaire's obligations, the APB informed Solvalgaray Marítima that it was initiating a fact-finding period due to a potential breach of the terms of the concession. After receiving the arguments from the concessionaire, the APB issued a report highlighting the concessionaire's refusal to comply with the terms and conditions and provide a solution to the car rental companies located at the Port of la Savina in order for them to continue to conduct their business within the car park building. According to the APB, the concessionaire must give preference to the car rental companies that were already operating at the Port of la Savina, with regards to any new requests, when assigning the new premises. The APB has informed the concessionaire on numerous occasions of the requirement to comply with the terms and conditions governing the contract. In addition, in the opinion of the APB, Solvalgaray Marítima must respect, as maximum prices, the maximum amounts that it bid and for which it was granted the concession. The APB has also informed the car rental companies involved that the concessionaire must comply with the economic conditions set out in the tender by means of which it was awarded the concession. Closed to the public The car park building at la Savina has remained closed to the public since the completion of the works carried out on it due to the fact that the APB has not approved the operating rules, as it believes that Solvalgaray Marítima is in breach of the contract for operation. The non-existence of these operating rules does not mean that the car rental companies cannot be assigned premises, when even the maximum prices that the concessionaire can receive are public and known, and thus comply with what is set out in the terms and conditions and the license.

The APB closes the 2017 financial statements with a profit of 20.5 million euros

28/08/2018

The financial statements of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) pertaining to financial year 2017 show a profit of 20.5 million euros, an increase of 3.9 % with regards to the year before when the profit exceeded 19.7 million euros. Furthermore, the turnover in 2017 was 73 million euros, exceeding the 2016 figures (with 69 million euros), maintaining zero long-term debt and the healthy financial situation of the entity. All ports except for the Port of Palma showed an increase in this section with regards to 2016. Therefore, the Port of Palma reported a net business turnover of 41 million euros, the Port of Ibiza 20.3 million, Alcudia 4.9 million, La Savina 2.4 million and, finally, the Port of Mahon 4.1 million euros. The APB has just published its 2017 financial statements at www.portsdebalears.com along with the audit report by the General State Comptroller through the Regional Audit Body of the Balearic Islands. The financial statements were drawn up based on the port authority's accounting records ending 31 December 2017, which were produced pursuant to current legal accounting provisions and on the instructions issued by State Ports. They portray a true and fair image of the assets, the financial position and results, and also of the accuracy of the cash flows included in the cash flow statement. These financial statements were approved by the APB's Board of Directors on 27 June 2018. The full document is available at www.portsdebalears.com.

PORT ACTIVITY EXPERIENCED SUSTAINED GROWTH IN 2017

23/08/2018

During the last financial year, port activity on the Balearic Islands followed the general growth pattern experienced in recent years, set against a booming socio-economic context. This is evident from the Annual Report and Sustainability Report of 2017, recently published by the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB). Freight and passenger traffic at APB ports reached a new all-time high in 2017 with 15.4 million tonnes and 8.1 million passengers recorded, respectively. Recreational sailing continues to grow and consolidate with a leading global presence. In this regard, the APB is planning the future redevelopment of the industrial area in Palma, which would facilitate space for longer vessels, while new spaces in Mahon and Alcudia, currently in a tender process, will be created. All data The APB has released the Annual Report and Sustainability Report for 2017. Both studies cover all of the port authority's activity from last year and can be consulted on the APB's website, serving as an indication of their commitment to transparent management. These two documents contain specific data on all projects undertaken in 2017 and in relation to the economic, social and environmental evolution of the general ports of interest managed by the APB. They also indicate the functioning of the organisation and its governing bodies, infrastructures built or under way, an overview of investments, port use data, regular shipping lines, port companies and services, as well as traffic statistics. Lastly, the reports reveal the positive trends in relation to sustainability and development of infrastructure, as well as the updates and improvements of information systems and access to the electronic administration, as well as the consolidation of planned measures in the field of corporate social responsibility. Like previous years, you may consult the detailed information contained in these reports as well as other aspects that may be of interest. They are published at www.portsdebalears.com