Eivissa Town Council and the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands review investments made in the port of Eivissa, which will amount to 8.8 million euros by 2022, and give a boost to the port's Special Plan

Eivissa Town Council and the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands review investments made in the port of Eivissa, which will amount to 8.8 million euros by 2022, and give a boost to the port's Special Plan

26/01/2022

The mayor of Eivissa, Rafa Ruiz, and the first deputy mayor, Elena López, met this morning with the president of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, Francesc Antich, the director of APB, Jorge Nasarre, and the director of APB in Eivissa, Ignacio Revilla. During the meeting they reviewed the investments which will amount to 8.8 million euros by 2022 that the port authority is making in the port of Eivissa, and that would give a boost to the port's Special Plan. One of the works that will begin shortly is the adaptation of the environment of the Ribera docks road. It connects the maritime station of Formentera, with the beginning of the promenade where works will be carried out to improve the pedestrian space with the addition of a two-way bike lane, connecting to the current bike lane of the port platforms and to the one currently under construction in Bartomeu de Roselló avenue. The project also includes the elimination of architectural barriers, installation of benches, improvement of tree planting and lighting in the area. Another project already underway consists of improving the surroundings of the APB building in Eivissa. Both works are valued at 1.4 million euros. The mayor of Eivissa, Rafa Ruiz, expressed his gratitude for the proximity and continued work of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands with the Eivissa Town Council, “there are several works which will soon begin and which mean continuing with the integration of the port into the city and turning it into a real space for the citizens to enjoy. We are a town with a port, which is a very dynamic and active space, and we must continue with this strategic work of general interest". For his part, the president of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, Francesc Antich, emphasised that for a port of general interest such as Eivissa, the good predisposition and coordination between the two administrations is fundamental because it allows the necessary works and the improvement of the service to be carried out quickly. At the moment, work to improve the port-ciutat connection, as well as other major improvements to the port services are being carried out". Special Plan On the other hand, and in relation to the Special Plan for the port of Eivissa, both administrations are currently finalising the document. The idea is to bring the Special Plan for the port of Eivissa to the Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands for approval shortly, after which it must be given initial approval by the plenary session of Eivissa Town Council. The most important work currently underway in the port of Ibiza is the Botafoc Maritime Station, with a budget of 13.5 million euros, which is scheduled to be completed in July 2022. On the other hand, the work to refurbish and improve the exterior of the Botafoc dock will resume in March 2022, with a budget of 942,000 euros, and should be carried out in months with good weather conditions. The port body also plans to start work shortly to improve the paving of the Botafoc roundabouts and urbanise the section of the storm tank on the Ribera quay, extending the promenade.

Transport and infrastructure Port-city
 The APB starts the works of adaptation of the environment and the façade of the APB offices in Eivissa

The APB starts the works of adaptation of the environment and the façade of the APB offices in Eivissa

19/01/2022

This Monday, the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has started the works of adaptation of the environment and the façade of the main office building of the APB in Eivissa, located in the access to the North docks. The area is currently lacking in terms of lighting, landscaping, parking and signs of ageing. This project also aims to improve the pedestrian space around the building and will create a bicycle lane on each side of the road. The area will be illuminated by LED lighting, while the landscaped area will include an automatic watering system. In terms of accessibility, two 5 m long ramps will be built attached to the façade and the emergency exits will be regularised. Finally, linear pergolas made of galvanised steel will be installed. The intervention has been awarded to the company TECOPSA for 525,000 euros and a duration of six months.

Transport and infrastructure
Visits to the exhibition of maritime signals at the Portopí lighthouse in the port of Palma are resumed

Visits to the exhibition of maritime signals at the Portopí lighthouse in the port of Palma are resumed

17/01/2022

The president and director of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), Francesc Antich and Jorge Nasarre, visited the recently reopened exhibition of maritime signals at the Portopí lighthouse. Both followed the explanations of the guides, who accompanied them throughout the tour. After a few months of preparation, the exhibition has some interesting new features, such as the restored lantern of the Llebeig lighthouse, which can be seen at the entrance to the exhibition, and a video showing details of the restoration and replacement of this same lantern. The reopening of the space coincides with the 150th anniversary of the APB, a year of celebration and projection into the future that aims to raise the public’s awareness of the port areas. Visits to the lighthouse The Portopí lighthouse is located in a restricted access area, so visits require booking. Free visits can be arranged from Wednesday to Friday from 10 am to 3 pm and from 4 pm to 7 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm through this link or at fardeportopi@portsdebalears.com / 662 418 163. In 2004, the APB opened the doors of the Portopí lighthouse to the public, one of the most characteristic constructions in the port of Palma, a symbol of the city and of the history of maritime communications in the Balearic Islands. That year the Portopí lighthouse was converted into a cultural space to permanently house the exhibition of maritime signals that shows visitors the fascinating world of lighthouses. The exhibition occupies the space of the former lighthouse keeper's two-storey house and introduces visitors to the world of maritime signalling, familiarising them with the specific terminology. There is also a collection of optics from 2nd to 6th order, different rotating machines and an explanation of the evolution of maritime lighting along the Balearic coastal areas. Finally, the exhibition invites us to travel back in time to learn about the living conditions of the old lighthouse keepers and their families living in extremely isolated places.

150th anniversary Port-city
Georgina Gamundí: “Drawing brings me closer to situations, people and places that I hardly knew”

Georgina Gamundí: “Drawing brings me closer to situations, people and places that I hardly knew”

07/01/2022

2022 será un año de aniversarios: el 150 de la creación de la Junta Portuaria y el 30 de la Autoridad Portuaria de Illes Balears tal y como la denominamos hoy. Y un año tan singular merecía un calendario igualmente especial. Esto surge de la creatividad de Georgina Gamundi, quien ha plasmado en imágenes 12 lugares vinculados al mar. La Felicitación de Navidad del organismo es también obra suya y representa los aparatos de iluminación de los faros de las Islas Baleares. Georgina Gamundí (Pollença 1989) es licenciada en Bellas Artes por la Universidad de Barcelona y se formó en la Escuela de Artes de Granada. Escultora, dibujante y profesora de arte, ha centrado su trabajo en el estudio y observación de la figura humana. Se define a sí misma como una “dibujante urbana” o artista callejera cuyas obras se destacan a través de un contraste de blanco y negro, así como un toque de color. ¿Conocías el mundo portuario? ¿Te ha sorprendido algún aspecto? No, a pesar de tener el mar tan cerca, no me era familiar. Como siempre, dibujar me acerca a situaciones, personas y lugares que ella probablemente no conocía” El hecho de que hago mis dibujos en el lugar para buscar puntos de vista hace que pueda ver tanto los lugares más remotos como los más espectaculares. al mismo tiempo. Ha sido interesante todo el bullicio de los muelles, saber qué se mueve y qué pasa según la hora del día en uno u otro muelle. Moverse por las islas para dibujar faros desconocidos fue estimulante (además de disfrutar de muchas puestas de sol). El resultado son 12 ilustraciones de los puertos y faros baleares. ¿Estás satisfecho? Cuando se hace, siempre hay cosas que mejorar. Pero sí, creo que el resultado es coherente. You are also the author of the APB Christmas card, which you have entitled "Guardians of overseas". It is important to allow the "chance" factor to be incorporated into your work. In fact, this same "chance" meant that I found myself at just the right moment at the Portopí lighthouse to meet the person who cleans it and who let me go inside. The lantern exhibition was a real surprise! That's where the illustration on the Christmas card came from. Do you have a routine when you start working? Doing a sketch on the spot and, depending on the situation, the original and everything. I like to draw on the spot. What are your artistic references? I could name a lot. But for this project I thought of none other than the engravings of Archduke Ludwig Salvator. His work shows his mastery and the perfect lines he uses to depict the vegetation, the coast, the Serra, the sea... such a part of our tradition. During the quarantine you began a project to document this time of confinement graphically. How did the idea come about? Realmente no sucedió... simplemente sucedió. Era una época en la que dibujaba mucho por la calle, cuando iba a tomar algo, si iba a un concierto, de paseo... Cuando estábamos confinados, todo eso paró y llegó el turno de la ambiente más íntimo. Hacía un dibujo todos los días y lo subía a las redes. No soy muy aficionado a las redes, pero creo que enganché a bastantes personas. Entonces presenté el Diari de la Quarantena , que no era más que mi cuaderno de bocetos, al concurso Art Jove y fue uno de los trabajos ganadores.

Port-city 150th anniversary
In 2022, APB is celebrating 150 years of history

In 2022, APB is celebrating 150 years of history

07/01/2022

Throughout this year, the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Board of Works for the Port of Palma (the organisation that gave rise to the APB) and the 30th anniversary of the APB as we know it today. A wide range of activities will take place during this year of celebration and looking ahead to the future. From publications and exhibitions to conferences and spectacular cultural events, the five ports will host an extensive programme of activities for residents to enjoy as the year unfolds. The aim of the anniversary celebrations is to simultaneously commemorate and strengthen the port authority’s spirit of service towards the port community and society in general. Although its nomenclature and competencies may have varied over the years, the authority has always aimed to respond as effectively as possible to the challenges that are faced by the ports on a daily basis, and to improve and modernise the port services and facilities in order to make the flow of goods and passengers easier and more fluid. Ancient ports The five ports that currently comprise the APB can all trace their history back hundreds of years. Throughout much of their existence they were managed by a variety of local bodies and it was not until the 19th century that they came under the auspices of the Ministry of Development, at first directly and later through dedicated agencies. The Port of Palma was one of the first to have its own management body. 1872 saw the creation of the Board of Works for the Port of Palma, which – despite changing its name to the Board of Works and Services for the Port of Palma (1928), the Port of Palma Board (1968) and the Board of State-Owned Balearic Islands Ports (1990) – remained in existence until 1992. In contrast, the ports of Alcudia, Mahon, Eivissa and La Savina remained under the direct control of the Ministry until 1928, when the various subordinate groups of the Central Ports Board were created. From then on, and up until 1988, they were managed by the Ports Groups or Administrative Committees, which were gradually absorbed into the Ports Groups for the Balearic Islands over time. Initially, there was one Administrative Committee for Mahon, another for Ibiza, and a Ports Group formed by the ports of Mallorca and Cabrera. However, after 1956 (with a brief interval between 1962 and 1963, when separate services were re-established for each island, with the exception of Palma, which had its own board), the ports all came under a single service: the Ports Group for the Balearic Islands. In any case, however, these Ports Groups were not independent bodies, but services that depended on a separate central body based in Madrid. In accordance with the Royal Decree of 1988, the ports of Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and La Savina were brought within the remit of the Port of Palma Board, resulting in the dissolution of the Ports Group for the Balearic Islands. The inclusion of these ports required the organisation to change its name: thus, by virtue of the Royal Decree of 9 March 1990, it became known as the Board of State-Owned Balearic Islands Ports. The State-Owned Ports and Merchant Navy Act of November 1992, which still governs the network of state-owned ports today, represented a major shift in port legislation. Ports became publicly owned bodies that were managed in accordance with private law. As a term of common reference for all of the ports, the Act introduced the international term “Port Authority”. This body is linked to the Ministry of Development via the Public Agency for State-Owned Ports, which is responsible for implementing the government’s ports policy and for coordinating and monitoring the efficiency of the port system. This system is comprised of 28 port authorities, which oversee 44 ports that are of national interest.

Environment and CSR 150th anniversary
The proposal of Puertos y Litorales Sostenibles has been selected as the best offer for the operation of the small craft dock in the port of La Savina

The proposal of Puertos y Litorales Sostenibles has been selected as the best offer for the operation of the small craft dock in the port of La Savina

23/12/2021

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, in ordinary session on 22 December 2021, has selected the best offer in the tender for the operation of the small craft dock in the port of La Savina, which was awarded to the company Puertos y Litorales Sostenibles, S.L. Six bids had been submitted for the operating tender. The occupancy fee set out in the tender documents was 154,000 euros however, the winning bidder proposed an improved occupancy and activity fee of 830,000 euros. This covers both the body of water and the land. The permit will have a duration of one year - extendable up to three years - from the date it is granted. The operation consists of 12,510 square metres, with 412.3 metres of mooring line, a ground floor building of 1,066 square metres made up of premises and arcades, plus 330 square metres of uncovered terraces. The licence holder will manage the whole complex and the commercial premises will be made available to third parties. The occupancy permit will allow the mooring of 91 pleasure boats, from 8 to 24 metres in length.

Socio-economic development
Im Hafen von Palma wurde eine Sprengstoffübung durchgeführt

Im Hafen von Palma wurde eine Sprengstoffübung durchgeführt

09/12/2021

Die Hafenbehörde der Balearen (APB) organisierte gestern eine Übung zur Aufspürung eines Sprengsatzes, der neben einem Dieseltransport im Handelshafen von Palma platziert wurde. Während der Übung wurden der Schutzplan für den Hafen von Palma (PPP), der Interne Notfallplan (PEI) und der Interne Maritime Plan (PIM) aktiviert. Das Ziel der Übung ist die gleichzeitige Aktivierung der genannten Pläne, die Schulung der Feuerwehrleute von Palma in der Brandbekämpfung auf Freizeitbooten sowie die Überprüfung der Risiken im Hafen und der Notfallmaßnahmen und -verfahren. Koordinierte Übung An der Übung waren die Guardia Civil (Hundedienst und TEDAX), die Feuerwehr von Palma, Grimaldi Logística, die Generaldirektion für Notfälle der balearischen Regierung, die Regierungsdelegation, die Hafenpolizei, die Lotsen von Palma und die Zivilschutzmitarbeiter der APB beteiligt. Nach einem fiktiven Bombenwarnanruf bei einer Reederei wurden der Hundedienst und TEDAX der Guardia Civil aktiviert, die zwei Sprengsätze entdeckten, die an einem 30-Tonnen-Dieseltank im Handelshafen von Palma befestigt waren. Einer der Sprengsätze explodierte, ohne dass es Verletzte gab, und verursachte ein Austritt auf den Boden, ins Meer und einen Brand. Die Feuerwehr von Palma griff daraufhin ein, kontrollierte das Feuer und den ausgelaufenen Dieselkraftstoff am Boden und deckte den Bereich mit Schwerschaum ab. Sobald das Gebiet als sicher eingestuft wurde, kamen die Notfallteams von der APB zum Einsatz, die sich aus Zivilschutzmitarbeitern und der Lotsenvereinigung des Hafens von Palma zusammensetzten, die unter realen Umständen für die Verlegung der Barriere gegen Verschmutzung am Ende der Handelsdocks zuständig wären. Nach Abschluss der Übung wurde mit allen Teilnehmern ein Debreafing durchgeführt, um die Schlussfolgerungen und den Bericht über Verbesserungen zu erstellen.

Technology and innovation Environment and CSR
The Spanish Association of Civil Engineers awards the project to improve the environment around the Port of El Molinar

The Spanish Association of Civil Engineers awards the project to improve the environment around the Port of El Molinar

09/12/2021

The Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) has received a special mention from the National Albert Serratosa City and Territory Award for its project to improve the Port-City environment and operations of the El Molinar Port in the Port of Palma. The award, granted by the Spanish Association of Civil Engineers and the Caminos Foundation, aims to publicise and raise awareness of city and territory projects whose design, planning and implementation contribute to the sustainable development of their surroundings. The awards ceremony, which took place yesterday in Madrid, was attended by Antoni Ginard, the head of the Planning and Infrastructure Department, and Víctor Darder, the head of the Infrastructure Development Department. Improvement project Efforts to improve the port-city relationship have been focused on maintaining the character of the "little port" and integrating it into the El Molinar neighbourhood and the promenade around it by removing the fences that separated, isolated and impeded interaction between the port and local residents. In regard to operational improvements, the size of the vessels it can accommodate has been restricted, and work has been undertaken to better shelter the marina, which has also improved wave conditions at the entry to the port. The contract to carry out the work was awarded to ACSA, Obras e Infraestructuras and provided employment for 20 people. Temporary joint venture Mc Valnera and Junquera Arquitectes managed the participatory process, overall concept and preliminary project, E3 Solinteg drew up the construction project, and TYPSA provided its technical assistance to the project managers.

Port-city
The structural rehabilitation of the retaining wall on the access road to the lighthouse of Formentor goes out to tender

The structural rehabilitation of the retaining wall on the access road to the lighthouse of Formentor goes out to tender

09/12/2021

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has put out to tender the structural rehabilitation of the retaining wall on the access road to the Formentor lighthouse, which has been closed since September due to the risk of landslides. At that time there was a local break in the wall, on which the MA-2210 road is located. The material broke off in the form of a 6-metre wedge in the longitudinal axis of the road, up to 3 metres crosswise and 6 metres in height. In 2013, a similar episode occurred, so it is suspected that more earth could be dislodged in the future, thus considering it appropriate to carry out a comprehensive improvement of the safety of the wall to prevent accidents from happening. The work will last four months and has an initial budget of 628,239 euros. The deadline for receiving bids is 20 December 2021. Interested parties may submit their applications through theAPB's e-tendering portal. Reconstruction process The masonry work will be carried out using the traditional construction technique of "pedra en sec". In the first stage, it is planned to demolish both the existing road surface and the retaining wall in that section. Next, the excavation of the earth on the outer face of the wall and the dismantling of the existing construction will be carried out. The area of intervention will be limited to the space occupied by the existing road and the retaining wall, avoiding any impact on the flora and fauna located in the surrounding areas. In fact, the works are located in a protected environment and, therefore, all the indications of the Natural Habitats service of the Government of the Balearic Islands (GOIB) will be taken into account. Subsequently, the land will be levelled and work will begin on the wall, which is expected to be 52.5 metres long and up to 6 metres high.

Transport and infrastructure
The APB thanks Open House Palma for promoting its architectural heritage

The APB thanks Open House Palma for promoting its architectural heritage

22/11/2021

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) wanted to thank the Open House Palma Cultural Association for the initiative to promote the city's architectural heritage, enabling many citizens to visit the most prestigious buildings of the APB in Palma. Specifically, on Saturday 6 November, 287 people visited the APB's institutional headquarters, 166 went to the offices and 44 visited the Portopí lighthouse and the maritime signal exhibition. In fact, the institutional headquarters of the APB was the second most visited building on Saturday 6 November. With this in mind, the president and director of the APB, Francesc Antich and Jorge Nasarre, respectively, have awarded the representatives of Open House Palma, Biel Noguera, Laura Trias and Nuria Zuzama, with the commemorative plaque that is given to ships calling for the first time at Balearic ports. The president of the APB, Francesc Antich, highlighted the success of the event in terms of participation, and expressed his desire to repeat the experience in the next edition of the festival. Open House Palma Open House Palma is the largest architecture and open door festival in Palma. For one weekend a year, more than 70 buildings and spaces, usually closed or hidden from the public, are open to visitors free of charge, and all of them without exception are the best examples of architecture and design in Palma. The association is made up of different professionals with different profiles, including architecture, art history, cultural heritage management, design and communication.

Environment and CSR
The port of Eivissa hosts a marine pollution control exercise organised by Maritime Rescue

The port of Eivissa hosts a marine pollution control exercise organised by Maritime Rescue

16/11/2021

The waters of the port of Eivissa were the scene of a new marine pollution control exercise by the Jovellanos Integral Maritime Safety Centre. The exercise was carried out in the midst of a supposed diesel oil spill, for which real-life anti-pollution barriers were deployed. Different units activated by the port of Eivissa, such as the pilots and the Port Police, took part in the exercise. Maritime Rescue The Jovellanos Integral Maritime Safety Centre, located in Gijón, is the Maritime Rescue training centre, whose objective is to provide comprehensive training in maritime, port and industrial safety, occupational risk prevention and pollution control. Its activity is primarily aimed at the personnel of the Rescue Society and professionals in the maritime sector, but also at groups with special needs in terms of safety and pollution control.

Environment and CSR Transport and infrastructure
Contracts awarded for the maintenance service for trees, palm trees, gardening and cliffs in the port of Maó

Contracts awarded for the maintenance service for trees, palm trees, gardening and cliffs in the port of Maó

08/11/2021

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has recently awarded the maintenance service contracts for trees, palm trees, gardening and cliffs in the port of Maó. UTE Podas Puerto Maó (Conrado-Urbient) will be in charge of maintaining the trees, palm trees, planters and smaller plants for 370,000 euros per year, while UTE Menorca Subvertical will be responsible for the correct maintenance of the many cliffs along the port, for 138,000 euros per year. The service will be staffed by 10 workers from groups at risk of social exclusion. At present, occasional maintenance work is being carried out, which has proved to be insufficient, therefore this contract will guarantee healthy and well-preserved species and green areas. The contracts cover preventive and corrective maintenance and waste management in accordance with the regulations in force. Emergency incidents, which compromise the safety of people, will also be addressed within 10 minutes for trees and landscaping and 14 minutes for cliffs, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Non-urgent incidents will be resolved within 12 working hours. Scope of the service The actions include the entire APB management area, from the Naval Station to Cales Fonts, including the northern coastline as far as La Mola and the s'Hort d'en Murillo estate. Annual pruning, felling and stump removal for palm trees, elimination of shoots or branches that compromise people's safety, preventive phytosanitary treatments – such as red palm weevil treatment – as well as tree replacements, when required, will all be carried out. In terms of flower beds and smaller plants, the service includes the maintenance of grass lawns, irrigation nets, hedges and shrubs, as well as seasonal flower beds. Those responsible will be in charge of clearing and cleaning vegetation, fertilisation, mowing, regeneration, replacement of species and improvements and repair of faults in the irrigation system. Finally, the condition of the cliffs and anchorages will be reviewed and maintained, as well as the inventory of vegetation species living in the port. All this will be carried out by personnel specialising in rope access work.

Port-city Transport and infrastructure