The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands and the Association of Civil Engineers renew their agreement to review and approve projects in the public port sector

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands and the Association of Civil Engineers renew their agreement to review and approve projects in the public port sector

 24/03/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) and the Association of Civil Engineers (CICCP) have signed a new approval agreement today that will contribute to increasing the competitiveness, efficiency and safety of public works projects and professional work in the ports of general interest in the Autonomous Community.The document was signed this morning at the administrative headquarters of the port of Palma by the president of the APB, Javier Sanz, and the dean of the Balearic Islands branch of the CICCP, Sara Lobato.Present at the signing were Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, President of Puertos del Estado Miguel Ángel Carrillo Suárez, President of the CICCP at national level Toni Ginard, Director of the APB and Jorge Nasarre, Head of Planning and Strategy at the APB and member of the CICCP's governing board in the Balearic Islands.The approval and review of professional work by professional associations is regulated as a public function that can only be carried out by professional associations. In this case, the CICCP is the only competent body in the field of civil engineering, and membership of this association is mandatory in Spain in order to practise the profession.The agreement signed by the APB specifically includes construction projects, technical specifications and construction management and technical assistance.Newly included in this four-year agreement, which may be extended for another four years, is the approval of specifications for maintenance and operating supplies and services. It also includes the terms and conditions and reports for the granting of concessions, as well as health and safety coordination plans and tasks. When the approval includes a verification report, in the case of projects, these may be for execution by the APB (public investment) or by concessionaires (private investment).Greater coverageIn addition, by signing off on the work covered, the agreement ensures that all APB technicians participating in the project are covered by professional liability insurance, thus offering greater technical and legal security to the institution's employees.Both the president of the APB and the dean of the CICCP have welcomed the renewal of this agreement, which will contribute to greater technical and legal rigour in the projects planned by the Port Authority.This agreement is part of the signing in 2021 of the General Performance Protocol for collaboration between Puertos del Estado and the CICCP. Through this protocol, agreements have been established with various Spanish ports. The purpose of this agreement will be to check that the work carried out or in which civil engineers participate complies with the documentary, technical and regulatory requirements applicable in each case and will include the coverage of the Professional Civil Liability policies that the Association has taken out depending on the activity endorsed.

Transport and infrastructure
The APB launches the new Bus Nàutic service linking the port of Palma with the city

The APB launches the new Bus Nàutic service linking the port of Palma with the city

 21/03/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) unveiled a new public transport service today called “Bus Nàutic Palma”, a maritime bus that will connect different parts of the port of Palma with a view to improving mobility and reducing road traffic. The initiative comes as part of the Mobility Plan that came about after the redevelopment of the seafront promenade, which is set to finish on 16 April.The president of the APB, Javier Sanz, appeared before the media today to announce the “Bus Nàutic Palma” project, which will operate with a minimum of three lines, offering a sustainable transport alternative for residents, port workers and tourists. The initial fleet will consist of at least four low-emission vessels, each with a capacity of 100 passengers. The fares will offer discounts to frequent passengers, promoting the use of the “Bus Nàutic” as a real sustainable transport alternative.Sanz said the APB came up with this idea to fit in with the new promenade, which is all about “making more space for people to walk, making public areas more natural, and taking the focus away from cars”. That said, as part of its commitment to a sustainable transport model, he added that “the APB has proposed an alternative within its area of competence, namely the port's inland waters".The main stops will include Maritime Station No. 6 on the West Quay, the Poniente Quay, the Golondrinas Quay, Portitxol and the royal steps of the Lonja Quay. The service will operate every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and until midnight on weekends.The APB plans to put the service concession out to public tender shortly, as part of its commitment to decarbonisation and the improvement of urban transport in the port area. The new "Bus Nàutic Palma" will be integrated into a broader Mobility Plan that seeks to transform the port-city area into a more accessible and sustainable space for pedestrians and cyclists. Among the measures planned is the creation of a "hub" or transport node on the Golondrinas quay, where different mobility alternatives such as conventional and electric bicycles, scooters and low-emission vehicles will be concentrated.Completion of the workJavier Sanz has confirmed that the works will be completed on 16 April, just before Easter, as promised by the APB several months ago. He explained that there has been a “change to the schedule” at the request of shopkeepers and residents affected by the works, "so we cannot talk about delays”. He recalled that the initial completion date was December 2014, but in order to ensure that the traders' business was not affected at any time, new deadlines for the paving of the pavements were agreed with each of them. Similarly, the rubbish containers were relocated at the request of local residents and business owners, which meant a further alteration to the planned schedule.Although Sanz acknowledged that there are some outstanding issues in the overall project, "these do not affect the essence of the project, they do not cause any significant inconvenience to users and most of them will be finished by 31 July".The president of the APB has put forward another date, 5 October, as the date for the celebration of "a new space for the people of Palma". The event will feature activities for the whole family, including a charity fun run and various environmental awareness workshops, coinciding with the end of the tourist season for the enjoyment of residents. During the preceding months, initiatives such as tree planting and educational activities will be carried out to familiarise the public with the new space.Mutual benefitsDuring his appearance, Javier Sanz highlighted the benefits that this project, worth close to forty million euros, will bring to both the port and the city. The project is being carried out by a joint venture formed by the Mallorcan companies Melchor Mascaró, Vopsa, Aglomsa and Urbient.The new promenade has completely renovated underground facilities, including improvements to the rainwater and wastewater separation system, modernisation of urban service pipes and optimisation of irrigation water use.In addition, special attention has been paid to the integration of the landscape into the surrounding area, with the planting of nearly two thousand new trees and the expansion of more than 40,000 square metres of green areas. These measures aim to improve environmental quality and create new shaded areas and rest areas for citizens.

Port-city Socio-economic development
Regulated parking in the port of Ibiza ends on 20 March

Regulated parking in the port of Ibiza ends on 20 March

 19/03/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) will end the regulated parking period on Paseo de la Marina and Avenida de Santa Eulalia tomorrow, Thursday 20 March, marking a return to the summer schedule. This permits vehicle access to the South Quay area for loading and unloading between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.The decision to lift the port barrier during the winter was requested by the Ibiza Town Council to facilitate mobility and parking in the area, and has been in place since autumn 2023. With the economic revival of the port's businesses coinciding with the good weather, the Marina promenade is once again predominantly pedestrianised.

Port-city
Over 12 tonnes of waste removed from the ports of Ibiza and La Savina in a four-year clean-up of the water surface

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

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

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

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
D Marin Spain SA wins the tender to manage the berths at the Pantalán de la Cuarentena in the port of Palma

D Marin Spain SA wins the tender to manage the berths at the Pantalán de la Cuarentena in the port of Palma

 26/02/2025

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) agreed at its last meeting held yesterday in Palma to select the company D Marin Spain SA to manage the mooring berths at the Pantalán de la Cuarentena in the port of Palma. This permit is for 18,000 square metres of public port land for recreational boats.The jetty will offer a total of 69 berths, of which just over half will be allocated to charter boats between 10 and 15 metres in length. The remaining berths will be for boats between 22 and 40 metres in length.The contract includes sustainability measures such as the installation of solar pergolas with an annual generation capacity of 162,000 kWh, which will cover 20% of energy demand. Systems to reduce water and electricity consumption will also be implemented, as well as improvements to marine biodiversity through the detection and elimination of pollutants.These improvements will provide the Pantalán de la Cuarentena with modern and sustainable infrastructure, contributing to the excellence of the port of Palma as a benchmark in the management of berths for recreational boats.Improvements to facilitiesThe space awarded consists of 190 linear metres of berthing space, plus a 125-metre T-shaped jetty. The new permit will also include an auxiliary floating jetty reserved for service vessels, such as those used for cleaning the water surface, surveillance and support for seafarers, without commercial exploitation.The contract is valid for six years, with an estimated investment of €1 million (including VAT). The annual occupancy rate is over €350,000 (excluding VAT), plus a 4% activity fee.

Socio-economic development
The APB opens a tender for the bar-restaurant in the Port Centre building in the port of Palma

The APB opens a tender for the bar-restaurant in the Port Centre building in the port of Palma

 26/02/2025

At its last meeting held yesterday in Palma, the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) approved a call for tenders for the operation, under an administrative licence, of a bar-café and restaurant in the Port Centre building in the port of Palma. This public tender, with a maximum term of fifteen years, aims to select the best proposal for the management of this hospitality space, which will contribute to enhancing port-city interaction and improving the gastronomic offer in the surrounding area.The space available for concession is located at the top of the APB's institutional headquarters and has a 400-square-metre terrace with exceptional views of the city of Palma, a sight that is new to many of its citizens. To the left of the terrace, you can see the architectural ensemble formed by Majorca Cathedral and the Almudaina Palace, and to the right, the bay and port of Palma. In total, an area of 800 square metres is being put out to tender, distributed over two floors of the building and intended for hospitality services.The licensee must provide bar-cafeteria and restaurant services and may propose other additional services within the same scope. In addition, they shall be required to adapt the space in line with their business model, respecting the architectural composition of the building and ensuring its integration with the rest of the facilities, which include an interpretation centre on the relationship between the port and the city.The annual occupancy fee has been set at €67,165.87, while the activity rate is set at 4% of turnover.The Port CentreThe Port Centre is located at the APB's headquarters in the port of Palma and is designed to strengthen the relationship between the port and the city. It is a space where the APB promotes dialogue, innovation and collaboration with all its stakeholders. The aim of the Port Centre is to share knowledge, generate opportunities and foster synergies that contribute to building a more dynamic and sustainable port community committed to the development of our territory.The APB's institutional headquarters is a neoclassical building constructed in 1940 and listed in the Special Plan for the Port of Palma. From then until 2012, it housed the APB's central offices. Years later, it underwent a complete renovation to become a meeting place for the port community.

Port-city Socio-economic development
The APB begins refurbishment work on the ports of Portitxol and Molinar

The APB begins refurbishment work on the ports of Portitxol and Molinar

 17/02/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has begun works to upgrade the ports of Portitxol and Molinar, with a view to reinforcing their western breakwaters. This work, which will take approximately three months, aims to improve and reinforce the existing structures against adverse weather conditions, ensuring their stability and functionality, as well as contributing to the conservation of the marine environment.The project includes the structural improvement of the breakwaters through the installation of different types of concrete blocks to assess their colonisation by marine flora and fauna. Untreated blocks with a textured surface and a bio-enhancing additive will be used.The work is being carried out mainly by land, with occasional support from maritime resources. The existing beacon at the tip of the Poniente del Molinar breakwater has also been temporarily relocated and will be reinstalled once the work is complete.During the execution of the works, various measures have been taken to minimise the impact on the environment and ensure the operability of the facilities.The works have been awarded to the joint venture Acondicionamiento de los diques del Portitxol y del Molinar (Refurbishment of the Portitxol and Molinar breakwaters), made up of the companies Melchor Mascaró and VOPSA, for a total amount of €1,541,919.97.

Transport and infrastructure
The APB collaborates on a series of conferences commemorating the centenary of Antonio Maura

The APB collaborates on a series of conferences commemorating the centenary of Antonio Maura

 11/02/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) joins the commemoration of the centenary of the death of Antonio Maura y Montaner. The port authority is collaborating on a series of conferences organised by the Spanish Royal Naval League, an organisation founded by Maura. These conferences will provide an opportunity to learn more about a key figure in Spain's maritime history.Three conferences have been confirmed for the series, which will be held at the APB Port Centre. The first session is dedicated to the life and work of Antonio Maura and will feature a presentation by Juan Díaz Cano, president of the Royal Spanish Naval League. The second session will feature María Dolores Pujades Sánchez, the organisation's representative in the Balearic Islands, who will discuss the relationship between politicians and the association over its 125-year history. Finally, the third session will include a presentation by Fernando Álvarez Palacios, representative of the Royal Spanish Naval League in Madrid, who will analyse the figure of Maura from a more philosophical perspective.For more information: https://www.realliganaval.com/evento/delegacion-de-baleares-ciclo-de-conferencias-en-conmemoracion-del-centenario-de-la-muerte-del-fundador-de-la-real-liga-naval-espanola-antonio-maura-y-montaner-1853-1925/

Port-city
The APB begins work to improve the Cala el Fonduco quay

The APB begins work to improve the Cala el Fonduco quay

 04/02/2025

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has begun work to consolidate and improve the lower platform of the Cala el Fonduco quay, with the aim of ensuring the durability of the infrastructure and reinforcing the safety of the direct mooring management service in the area.In addition, the street will be redeveloped with the installation of new mixed paving suitable for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, as well as the provision of the necessary street furniture to ensure the proper organisation of the area.The APB has communicated and coordinated the works plan with the residents affected in order to minimise any inconvenience and ensure the smooth running of the project. This project aims to improve the functionality and safety of the quay, benefiting both users of the mooring service and pedestrians and residents in the area.The works, awarded to the joint venture Moll Cala Fonduco, have a budget of €498,306.16. The works are expected to take four months.

Transport and infrastructure