News APB | Ports de Balears

The APB organises a mock explosive threat drill on a cruise ship in the port of Palma

25/07/2024

The Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) organised an explosive threat drill in the Port of Palma. The exercise took place on the Seven Seas Grandeur cruise ship, which is moored in the West dock. It involved running a simulation of a hypothetical threat from a suspicious device on the cruise ship. The ship's captain, Aristeidis Mertzanis, ordered the explosive device to be located and the crew to be evacuated. Over 400 of the ship's crew members responded to the emergency instructions by heading to the safety points scattered around the cruise ship. The evacuation of the crew was therefore carried out in an orderly manner. Subsequently, Port Police officers, acting on orders from the APB Control Centre, also proceeded to evacuate Maritime Station number 6. This exercise was designed to test and assess how well the Port of Palma and the cruise ship, as well as the different operators involved in the emergency situation, were able to respond. It was an opportunity to exercise and perfect coordination between all those involved, so as to speed up the response to a real situation. The Guardia Civil, the Palma Fire Department, the Directorate General of Emergencies, the shipping companies Intercruises and the Seven Seas Cruises, the latter made its ship and its entire crew available for the drill, all worked together.

Transport and infrastructure

The APB opens two new slip lanes to the West dock

18/07/2024

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has opened two new slip lanes to the West dock for vehicles heading for the ferries. The aim is to optimise the control of incoming vehicles to this part of the Port of Palma. With the current replanning, the West dock now has three slip lanes. The existing lane is for incoming taxis, shuttle buses, and employees. The second lane is for access by trucks boarding the ferries. The third lane, which runs behind the Nàuticopesquera Vocational Training Centre, is exclusively for cars and motorcycles. The two new slip lanes are operational from 8.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., Monday to Friday. The aim is to clear traffic at the entrance to the West dock during the peak times at the port, when vehicles board regular line ships. The APB has also built a small roundabout after access control to improve traffic. The different routes to follow have also been marked in different colours to guide vehicles according to the location of their ferry.

Transport and infrastructure

The APB replaces the floating pier of the fishing quay in the port of Ibiza

18/07/2024

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has completed the work to replace the floating pier of the fishing quay in the port of Ibiza, used to moor the vessels of the Fishermen’s Guild and for use by the APB. The work consisted of renewing the original pier, which dated back to 1993 and had come to the end of its working life. Four prefabricated reinforced concrete floating pier modules measuring 2.4 m wide and 12m long with an expanded polystyrene core and wooden fenders were installed for this purposes. The existing wiring was also entirely replaced, and new water and electricity utility towers have been installed on the piers. One side of the pier will be used by the Fishermen’s Guild to moor their fishing vessels. The other half will be used for moorings directly managed and used by the APB. The work has taken four months and was awarded to the company Sealand on Offshore Services SL. The budget for the work amounted to 378,000 euros plus VAT.

Transport and infrastructure

The APB hands over a donation cheque to ADDIF to mark the Es Port. 360 Experiences event on International Yoga Day

12/07/2024

The Balearic Port Authority (APB) and the Rotary eClub Eivissa International yesterday handed over the donation cheque to ADDIF (Adapted Sports Association of Eivissa and Formentera). A cheque for €3,568.17 was handed over at the Ebusus Cultural Society during the Es Port. 360 Experiences event, held on 21 June in es Martell square. The APB delegate for the ports of Eivissa and La Savina, Ignacio Revilla, said that " it gives the APB great satisfaction to be able to present this cheque to ADDIF, so that they can continue with their admirable daily work to include people with functional diversity". Revilla hoped that the charity event last June, "will be the first of many more charitable initiatives as part of our aim regarding corporate social responsibility, to facilitate this type of activity and to help integrate the port into the city". Among those present at the event were the Mayor of Eivissa, Rafael Triguero the Councillor for Social Welfare, Carlona Escandell the President of ADDIF, Myriam Martín the President of Rotary e-Club Ibiza International, Denise Klischan, as well as representatives of the collaborating associations and sponsors who took part in the event. AIS accessibility certificate The APB was also recognised for promoting the first national event with AIS (Accessibility Indicator System) accessibility certification from FARS (Accessibility and Social Responsibility Foundation). A large group of young people from ADDIF also took part in the event and enjoyed this unique experience. AIS (Accessibility Indicator System) is the only international accessibility certification. This certification was based on criteria of functional diversity, whether physical, sensory or cognitive, so that anyone, regardless of their condition, could move around the event comfortably and safely.

Port-city

The APB and UTE Port Maó sign an agreement to draw up the project for the new maritime station at Cós Nou

11/07/2024

The Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) has formally signed an agreement with the TJV Port Maó, winner of the public tender, to draw up the basic and construction project for the new maritime station at Cós Nou, in the Port of Maó. The contract also provides for technical assistance to the Works Management during the execution of the works. The basic and construction project covers the reorganisation of the surfaces and roads in the area, as required by the access requirements. It aims to integrate the area in an orderly and efficient manner with its surroundings and to facilitate the provision of port services. A provisional maritime station is currently being built on the Cós Nou esplanades. This is in response to the reconversion of the passenger quay at the Port of Maó into a quay intended for port-city integration and for cruise ships.Moving cargo to the Cós Nou was both historic and effective at the same time. The city gained the space previously occupied by freight. In addition, operational safety was increased, since there is more space, especially for dangerous goods, and more berthing length available both at the Cós Nou and at the Cruise Dock. The construction of a definitive maritime station for regular traffic and the transport of goods has therefore become a necessity, culminating in a whole redistribution for the benefit of passengers, cargo, cruise passengers and Mahonese society. This project has a budget of €557,722, excluding VAT. The TJV Port Maó is made up of the companies Grimalt Nadal Morey Engineers and Barceló-Balanzó Architects.The project has a 9-month deadline, while the execution period is 17 months, although there will be a 6-month stoppage due to the tendering of the works. The total timeframe is 32 months, which means that the inauguration of the new Cós Nou maritime station will take place at the end of 2027.

Transport and infrastructure

Stella Maris Mallorca opens its doors in the port of Palma

01/07/2024

The Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) and the Diocese of Mallorca are launching Stella Maris Mallorca in the Port of Palma. This international Catholic Church organisation provides human and spiritual assistance to seafarers, as well as supporting their families. The headquarters, lent by the APB, is located in the Contramoll-Mollet in the Port of Palma and hopes to become a centre to help seafarers during their stay on land. At this early stage, Stella Maris Mallorca is managed by the director of the secretariat, Nadal Bernat, and is staffed by a team of secular volunteers. Stella Maris Stella Maris provides comprehensive spiritual, social and work-related assistance to seafarers, regardless of race, nationality, gender, culture, religion or ideology, under the motto "A home away from home". Volunteers from Stella Maris visit ships arriving in port on a daily basis, offering their services and looking after the needs of the crew. When faced with any problem, they do their best to help them and always offer a warm and humane welcome. On a spiritual level, the Apostleship of the Sea signifies a presence of the Church in the port. Seafarers are offered catechetical materials, bibles, rosaries, the opportunity to celebrate mass and the possibility of receiving the readings, prayers and reflections for each Sunday by e-mail. Ministers representing other Christian denominations, Islam and Judaism are also available. History By the end of the 19th century, a number of Catholic missions for seafarers operated under diverse auspices, serving the spiritual, social and material welfare of visiting crews in multiple ports around the world. However, it was at the Port of Glasgow in 1920 that Fr Egger SJ laid the foundations of the future Apostleship of the Sea, under the auspices of the Society of the Apostleship of Prayer. Father Egger, together with Franciscan monk Peter Anson and layman Arthur Gannon, recognised the need for a specific apostolic work for seafarers. On 4 October that same year, the first meeting of Stella Maris - Apostleship of the Sea took place in Glasgow. At that time, the emblem of the Apostleship of the Sea was created, an insignia representing the Sacred Heart of Jesus on an ancient anchor. In Spain, this international organisation has been present since 1923, when the Mallorcan bishop Mons. Josep Miralles encouraged its creation in the Port of Barcelona. The Church has been working with seafarers for more than 100 years. They are currently present in 322 ports in 56 countries. In Spain, they are moored in 15 ports. In these ports, 126 pastoral agents, 10 priests, 3 deacons and 114 lay collaborators and volunteers await the crews who dock in the ports. Over 5,400 ships are visited in a year and more than 6,200 seafarers visited these centres. In total, some 40,000 merchant seafarers and fishermen benefit from their visits and facilities.

Port-city

The APB approves the environmental best practices agreement with the Club de Mar

28/06/2024

At its latest meeting, the Board of Directors of the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) approved the collaboration agreement with Club de Mar Mallorca on best environmental practices in the Port of Palma. This five-year agreement aims to promote environmental investments at the nautical facilities. Club de Mar Mallorca agrees to invest at least 50% of the subsidy obtained in initiatives to improve the environment. It must also comply with a set of technical and operational instructions, based on the best environmental practices guidelines approved by Puertos del Estado. The company is also required to have ISO 14001 certification. Club de Mar Mallorca holds a concession to operate a sports dock, with its complementary uses, next to the Ponent docks in the Port of Palma. Pursuant to the legislation, the APB foresees that all those concession or authorisation holders who carry out certain types of port activities (including fishing and nautical-sports activities) may enter into an agreement on best environmental practices, which will give them a 15% rebate on the activity tax quota.

Environment and CSR

Great turnout for the adapted yoga masterclass in the Port of Eivissa

22/06/2024

Around fifty people took part this Saturday in the charity yoga master class promoted by the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) which was held in Es Martell square in the Port of Eivissa. The Es Port. 360 Experiences event, which was organised to celebrate International Yoga Day, was open to the general public, with all proceeds going to the Adapted Sports Association of Ibiza and Formentera (ADDIF). After the event, the Balearic Port Authority's delegate in Eivissa and Formentera, Ignacio Revilla, said, “At APB, we are extremely grateful to attendees, collaborators and sponsors for their participation in this first Es Puerto. 360 Experiences event. We hope to make it the first of many to be hosted at our facilities, contributing to the overall wellbeing of all the island's citizens”. Es Port. 360 Experiences had internationally trained yoga teacher Shylasvsyoga, artist Diana Pintado and pianist Lorena de Tena, and was awarded the AIS (Accessibility Indicator System) accessibility certificate by the Accessibility and Social Responsibility Foundation. This APB promoted event was organised by Rotary and Club Ibiza International and Puro Bienestar, with the support of the Eivissa Council, Eivissa Town Hall, Pimeef and the Neighbours and Traders Association of the Port of Eivissa.

Port-city

Two new lanes on Palma's Maritime Promenade towards Portopí open to traffic on 25 June

21/06/2024

The Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) will open the new lanes to traffic on the land side of Palma's Maritime Promenade on Tuesday 25 June. These lanes will be partially opened to traffic pending the completion of some unfinished work on the initial section of the project. The two lanes that will be operational as of next Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. are those heading towards Portopí, from the Auditorium to the Paraires tower. The remaining stretch that runs from Avenida Argentina to the Auditorium will be operational once the pending adaptation work has been completed to a high standard. Coordination These roads will be opened in coordination with the Mobility Department of Palma City Council and the Local Police, in order to guarantee smooth traffic flow in the city. This project brings the works on Palma's new Maritime Promenade into Phase 2 and 3, which affect the central and seaward sides of the road.

Port-city

The APB improves the Port of Eivissa’s breakwater for mooring boats during weather warnings

20/06/2024

The Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) is carrying out improvement work on the breakwater in the Port of Eivissa to moor vessels in a contingency situation. This work has meant that part of section of port dock has been blocked off. Pedestrian access to the dock is only restricted at the far end. Floating pontoons and a mooring train are currently being installed in the breakwater shelter for use as temporary moorings during weather warnings. This measure addresses the lack of sufficient shelter in various areas of the Port of Eivissa in the event of contingency situations. The works are scheduled to be completed in mid-July. Over €500,000 has been invested, and the company in charge of the work is Servicios Profesionales Submarinos (SERPROSUB). The works are being carried out in such a way as to minimise the impact on the licensees, port users and citizens in general.

Transport and infrastructure

The APB will debate a new development for the Port of Palma at its Board of Directors meeting

06/06/2024

Javier Sanz, president of the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB), said that after the consensus reached yesterday by the Board of Directors to paralyse the 2020 project for port development, today the Port of Palma has no plan for the future. As such, he said, the duty of the APB as the management body in charge is “to work on a new restructuring that has the maximum consensus of all stakeholders involved”. Javier Sanz pointed out that at the last meeting of the Board of Directors, the members agreed to discuss the proposals currently on the table regarding a new layout in forthcoming sessions. The aim is to approve a new project for the medium-term future as soon as possible. “Nothing has been decided. We are currently analysing alternatives which are being assessed and which we are sharing with a broad group of sectors to obtain feedback and include them in the decision-making process”, added Sanz. Abandoned project Speaking to the media together with the director of the APB, Toni Ginard, Javier Sanz explained that upon taking office he was faced with a redevelopment project for the Port of Palma, which had been approved by the Board of Directors in 2020 that envisaged a 90,000-square-metre growth in the port's inland waters. After a series of meetings, he noted that both the shipping companies and the ship repair sector disagreed with this plan because it did not respond to long-term needs. The shipping companies voiced considerable concern about the potential threat of congestion posed by the previous proposal, which concentrated all the port's cargo loading and unloading operations in the West Dock, especially during the morning peak hours. As for the repair sector, they considered that the project was urgently needed in a limited area and in front of the Cathedral, a space that could be integrated more naturally with the city. After a discussion within the Board of Directors, a decision was made yesterday to abandon the 2020 project and liquidate the work contracted to carry out this plan, “because it involves an economic expense that is no longer justified”, said Sanz. Although nothing has been decided, the change of course in the Port of Palma will focus on four aspects. Firstly, it will maintain simultaneous port operations in the commercial docks, the Ponent-Paraires docks and the West dock. It will reduce the space allocated to cruise ships, concentrating their activity on the Ponent-Paraires dock. Also, it will gradually move ship repairs to the West dock and the Ribera de Sant Carles quay. Lastly, it will increase the integrated space between the port and the city in front of the Cathedral, using this space for initiatives related to culture, training and, most importantly, sport. “As far as I am concerned, this is the most important thing we have planned for the redevelopment of the port”, said Sanz. According to Javier Sanz, the premise of this initiative led by the APB is that these alternatives should promote a diversified economic model compatible with social welfare, promote industrial diversification and encourage port-city integration by prioritising values such as urban regeneration and the provision of quality spaces for public use. Social responsibility APB's president wanted to clarify that “these alternatives under consideration are in line with the idea that congestion compromises the destination's competitiveness and affects social profitability. This change of direction is aligned with a fresh vision of port investments that we want to promote and which prioritise the efficiency of public resources and the profitability of social value investment”. “This responds to a global trend that the APB wants to embrace and which highlights how strategically important projects that improve the quality of life of cities and of those who live in and visit them are, not just projects that are committed to port operational efficiency, as was the case with the previous project approved in 2020”, Sanz added.

Port-city Transport and infrastructure

The APB increases the number of shaded areas in the port areas in Eivissa and La Savina

05/06/2024

The Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) has added more shaded areas in different parts of the ports of Eivissa and La Savina to improve and alleviate waiting times for public transport users, cruise passengers and the public in general. A total of forty structures have been installed between the two ports (15 in Eivissa and 25 in La Savina) in the areas with the highest number of passengers and users, such as bus stops, taxi ranks and waiting areas outside the maritime terminals. In Eivissa, the number of shelters has risen from eight to fifteen, while in La Savina it has increased from six to twenty-five. The total number of structures has almost tripled compared to recent years. Each one measures 3x5 metres and will remain in place until 15 November of this year. They will remain fixed for a period of eight months over the next few years, between 15 March and 15 November. Grupo Renta Todo Carpas SL has been awarded the contract to install and maintain the shade structures, which has a budget of €89,637.16 and can be extended for a further four years. Cruise ship passengers' walkway In addition, following a request from the shipping companies and shipping lines operating in the Port of Eivissa, the APB has made a series of improvements to the pedestrian area for cruise passengers disembarking at the Botafoc dock to give them a better service. The walkway has been improved to make it safer and more comfortable, and an information point has also been set up for cruise passengers.

Port-city