The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands reduces fees for outdoor café and restaurants to the legal minimum

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands reduces fees for outdoor café and restaurants to the legal minimum

08/05/2020

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has already begun talking to companies in the hospitality industry to terminate the licences authorising the occupancy of public port land with tables and chairs for their outdoor cafés and restaurants, by mutual agreement, so that fees no longer accrue. These occupancy licences were in force at the time the state of alarm was declared and the cafés and restaurants had to stop trading. Businesses wishing to open and use these outdoor areas, once the Transition Plan to a New Normality (PTNN) authorises them to do so, will be granted new licences, with preferential terms and conditions, as the required charge will be reduced to the legal minimum. In addition, in establishments where there is enough room to do so, extending these outdoor seating areas will be looked into. This will make it easier to adapt these areas to the new constraints imposed by health and social distancing requirements. The withdrawal of the licences as of the day the state of alarm came into effect is the only way to stop companies from continuing to accrue fees, even though they have not been able to open for business. Spanish Royal Decree-Law 15/2020, of 21st April, on additional urgent measures to support the economy and employment, does not provide for fee exemptions. Therefore, at its last meeting, the APB Board of Directors agreed to withdraw the current occupancy licences, if authorised companies request this. These measures will have a significant impact on reducing the fees that companies will have to pay in the public ports of Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and La Savina in 2020. They are also the result of continuous talks between the APB, the business community, the State-owned Ports Body and local, island and regional governments in an attempt to mitigate the negative consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic as far as possible. Other aid available to companies In addition to this measure, the APB has temporarily suspended the issuing of invoices for occupancy and activity charges for all its concessionaires and authorised companies. Although these charges are normally paid in advance at the beginning of the year, to date no fees have been invoiced for 2020. This means that no concessionaire or authorised company has yet paid any amounts in this respect. In addition, the APB is already approving interest-free payment plans, without the need for collateral, for concessionaires who are having difficulty making payments that were already due before the state of alarm was declared. In addition to all these measures the APB is already implementing, such as the reduction of the activity charge, the temporary suspension of the payment of port charges, the approval of payment plans, the advance withdrawal of licences to use public port land for outdoor cafés and restaurants, other cuts in fees have been approved by the State-owned Ports Body to support the economy and bolster employment, which will mean savings of over €100 million for companies operating in Spanish state-owned ports.

The APB and Mahon City Council agree to restrict road traffic in the port of Mahon in favour of pedestrian use

The APB and Mahon City Council agree to restrict road traffic in the port of Mahon in favour of pedestrian use

07/05/2020

This weekend, vehicle access to the Poniente quay road, in the Port of Mahon, will be restricted to residents living in the area. This will increase the amount of space available for pedestrians and will prevent crowds from forming, thus reducing the risk of Covid-19 contagion. This measure, proposed by the Mahon City Council, will initially be implemented between Friday 8th and Sunday 10th May. Road access between the Costa de Rochina and the Costa de Corea will be restricted on Friday from 8pm to 11pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 10am and from 8pm to 11pm. During phase 0 of the de-escalation period, there have been large numbers of people walking around the port during the leisure time slots allocated to the over-14 age groups. In this regard, the Mahon City Council, in coordination with the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), has decided to extend the amount of space available to pedestrians as well as to restrict vehicle traffic in this area and in other areas that come under municipal jurisdiction. Institutional coordination The APB coincides with the Mahon City Council on this issue and is aware that the appeal of the port means that a considerable number of people gravitate to the area to do sport or go for a walk, especially at weekends. This fact, combined with the usual vehicle traffic on this stretch, leads to a build-up of people on the waterfront that is not recommended at present. In this sense, the City Council maintains the recommendations of the last municipal ruling regarding the movement of people in public areas. This states that people should all move along the right-hand side of the road, in the same direction as the road traffic, to prevent unnecessary contact with oncoming pedestrians. The APB joins the City Council in thanking the local residents for their cooperation and calls for them to be responsible when it comes to going outside. It also concurs with the Council in that if progress is to be made, it is essential to continue with the social discipline that the vast majority of the people of Mahon have shown over the last few weeks.

The noise sensors deployed by the APB pick up port tributes to the health workers fighting the Covid-19 virus

The noise sensors deployed by the APB pick up port tributes to the health workers fighting the Covid-19 virus

05/05/2020

As in almost all inhabited areas in Spain, the applause for health workers at eight o'clock in the evening have become a daily event in the Balearic Islands' public ports. In this case, local residents are joined by the crews on the ships berthed in the ports. This phenomenon has been confirmed by the noise pollution sensors deployed by the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), in which the applause for those who are fighting the Covid-19 virus can be clearly heard at 8pm. In the case of the ports, the sound of applause and sirens from the emergency vehicles in the city is added to by the noise of the horns on the ships berthed in the docks, which are sounded by the confined crew or shipowners. The most visible example of this phenomenon can be found in the Port of Palma. The recordings of the last few weeks appear are shown on a graph in which the noise peak at eight o'clock in the evening can be clearly and regularly heard, in most cases exceeding 70 decibels, when during the rest of the day the levels are between 40 and 60 decibels. The noise sensor referred to in this graph is located on the roof of the APB's offices, that is, near the houses in the historic quarter of the city and the boats docked at the Moll Vell quay. The sharp contrast in the registers is due to the limited activity recorded in the ports in recent weeks – which are therefore quieter than usual – compared to the applause of residents and ships’ horns at 8 pm. Ibiza, Mahon and La Savina The noise sensors that the APB has installed in the ports of Ibiza, Mahon and La Savina have also recorded the spontaneous tribute of local inhabitants, albeit not as clearly as in the case of Palma. In the Port of Ibiza, the sensor located at the beginning of the Botafoc road shows peaks every day at 8pm that reach and sometimes exceed 75 decibels, although they are not as regular as in the Port of Palma. In the case of the Port of Mahon, the sensor located in the Cós Nou also picks up the sound of the tributes to the health workers, but it is not as clear as it is mixed with the noise of ferries entering and leaving the port. The same occurs in the Port of La Savina where the dominant sound at 8 pm is that of ships' horns, since the town is quite far from the noise sensor, but this is distorted in the graph by other unidentified port activities. This phenomenon has not taken place in the Port of Alcudia, since the houses are quite far away from the quays and the commercial docks are usually empty at eight o'clock in the evening.

The APB restricts road traffic in the Port of Ibiza in favour of pedestrian use

The APB restricts road traffic in the Port of Ibiza in favour of pedestrian use

05/05/2020

The Port of Ibiza will be closing off to vehicle traffic the stretch of road between the Formentera ferry passenger terminal and the offices of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) between eight in the evening and eleven at night, so that local residents can use this area to go for a walk and do sport during the current de-escalation period and whilst it is compatible with port operations. The measure has been taken with the consensus of the Ibiza Yacht Club, shipping companies, dockers and other port agents operating in the area. Since Saturday 2nd May, the Port of Ibiza has become a meeting point for citizens of all ages to enjoy their leisure time in the time slots approved by the Spanish Government as part of the Plan for the Transition to a New Normality (PTNN) during which people can go out for a walk and do sport. From today onwards, the Port of Ibiza will be closing this section of the road that runs parallel to Avenida de Santa Eulària des Riu to vehicle traffic to facilitate, extend and ensure safety and social distancing. For the same reason, the usual timetable for access to the Marina promenade for loading and unloading goods has been changed to seven to eleven in the morning and from four to six in the afternoon, prohibiting road traffic for the rest of the day.

The APB joins the ICS initiative for 1st May and will sound the horns of the Portopí and Botafoc lighthouses

The APB joins the ICS initiative for 1st May and will sound the horns of the Portopí and Botafoc lighthouses

29/04/2020

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has joined the initiative promoted by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and has pledged to sound the horns of the Portopí lighthouse in the Port of Palma and the Botafoc lighthouse in the Port of Ibiza on 1st May in recognition of the work of the shipping industry and seafarers. The ICS communications department is encouraging captains from all over the world to sound the sirens of ships that are berthed in port (as long as it is safe to do so) on 1st May at 12 noon local time to celebrate Labour Day. The APB has sent this invitation to the shipping companies and facilities that operate in the public ports of Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and La Savina, and has agreed to sound the Portopí and Botafoc horns for five minutes. In many countries around the world, 1st May is recognised as International Workers' Day. This is a day that is used to celebrate and recognise the contribution of workers around the world and at this very difficult time globally, as a result of Covid-19, the ICS would like to draw attention to the contribution of seafarers to our society through this global initiative. Other public-sector (State-owned Ports Body) and private-sector (ANAVE) shipping industry organisations have been informing port authorities, members and shipping industry facilities about this initiative. According to the ICS, there are more than 1.2 million seafarers currently working to ensure that food, fuel and supplies continue to be delivered worldwide.

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands begins maintenance work on the Ca'n Barbarà bridge in the Port of Palma

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands begins maintenance work on the Ca'n Barbarà bridge in the Port of Palma

24/04/2020

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) is to renew the road surface on the Ca'n Barbarà bridge heading towards Andratx, in the Port of Palma, on Monday 27th April. The work will run through to 9th May. A lane will be kept open at all times for road traffic. This is the second phase of the project to renew the road surface on the bridge that runs along the Avenida del Ingeniero Gabriel Roca, which is part of Palma's seafront promenade. The first part of the work, which consisted of renewing the tarmac on the side of the road heading towards Palma, was carried out at the end of 2019. The budget allocated to this APB project is €65,000 and is part of the maintenance contract for road surfaces and cycle lanes in the port of Palma awarded to the company Aglomsa, for a maximum of four years, and with an estimated budget of around €350,000. The work starting next week will employ an average of five workers per day.

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands suspends the occupancy and activity charges for its concessionaires and authorised companies

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands suspends the occupancy and activity charges for its concessionaires and authorised companies

21/04/2020

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has temporarily suspended the occupancy and activity charges normally paid by all of its concessionaires and authorised companies, while the state of alarm decreed by the Spanish Government to manage the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 is still in force. In addition, the APB has gone one step further and has automatically withdrawn the licences in force authorising the occupancy of public port land with tables and chairs for outdoor cafés and restaurants. This measure is especially targeted at businesses, such as this type of establishments, which are not allowed to open as a result of Spanish Royal Decree 463/2020, of 14 March, declaring the state of alarm. This advance, ex officio withdrawal of these licences means that, while the state of alarm lasts or their activities are not allowed to resume, these companies will not have to pay any fees. In a memorandum sent to its customers, the APB also pointed out that “even before the state of alarm was declared, the port authority had not invoiced any occupancy or activity charges for 2020, even though these charges are normally paid in advance”. This means that no concessionaire or authorised company has yet paid any amounts in this respect. Financial aid for companies In addition, the APB is already approving payment plans for concessionaires who are having difficulty making payments that were already due before the state of alarm was declared. These measures are being taken by the port authority in the five public ports it manages to "alleviate the difficult situation" that its concessionaires and authorised companies are going through. In addition to these measures that the APB is already implementing, such as the temporary suspension of the payment of port charges, the approval of payment plans, the advance withdrawal of licences to use public port land for outdoor cafés and restaurants, other measures adopted by the Central Government may be taken to help ports in the light of the crisis caused by the Covid-19 virus.

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands thanks the islands’ inhabitants for staying at home while its ports and lighthouses operate to guarantee supplies

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands thanks the islands’ inhabitants for staying at home while its ports and lighthouses operate to guarantee supplies

15/04/2020

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) would like to thank the islands’ inhabitants for staying at home in an attempt to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. The APB has paid its tribute in a video that reminds us that the islands' ports and lighthouses continue to operate to ensure basic supplies. Thus, the APB acknowledges the efforts people are making to stay at home. The inhabitants, in turn, are safe in the knowledge that they are being supplied with all the essential products they need, such as food, medicines and other basic commodities. The video, entitled "For the Islands, For You, For Everyone", also recognises the essential role played by the ports and lighthouses in this crisis, as well as the ongoing dedication of the port community, such as shipping companies, hauliers, stevedoring and mooring services, pilots, government officials and fishermen, in ensuring supplies for the islands' inhabitants. The APB has sent 42% of its staff to work from home, in addition to establishing minimum services and setting up rapid response teams to ensure that the five public ports of Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and La Savina are managed efficiently, as they are an essential part of the logistics chain for supplying the Balearic Islands’ population.

The APB guarantees two-week supplier payment terms

The APB guarantees two-week supplier payment terms

07/04/2020

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) maintains its two-week supplier payment terms, thus continuing to operate as it did before the Spanish Government declared the ‘state of alarm’ on 14 March. In this sense, the APB commits to speeding up payments to its suppliers for their services and products in order to ensure cash flow for the companies that work with it. All invoicing with the APB is processed electronically. To this end, the different organisational units involved in the payment of invoices are making an additional effort in the light of the social distancing measures decreed by the Government. In this sense, the Information Systems and ICT Infrastructure Division has set up 136 computers in the homes of APB staff to enable remote port management, which means that more than 40 per cent of the staff are now telecommuting. The Procurement Division ensures the electronic processing of delivery notes and certifications of the work carried out through the Tendering Portal, while the Economic and Finance Department is giving priority to speeding up payments to suppliers.

The APB moves more than 40% of its workforce to telecommuting in the first week of the ‘state of alarm’

The APB moves more than 40% of its workforce to telecommuting in the first week of the ‘state of alarm’

31/03/2020

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has moved 42% of its workforce to telecommuting within the first week of the ‘state of alarm’ declared by the Spanish Government in response to the health crisis brought about by the COVID-19 virus. Within the first seven days following 14 March, the APB’s Information Systems and ICT Infrastructure Division set up 136 computer systems to enable remote port management and thus comply with the stay at home measures laid down by the Government. “It has been a resounding success thanks to the Systems team,” says its head, Javier Segovia. “There was no telecommuting culture at the APB and we had never needed to roll out the technological infrastructure required for it.” This unprecedented technological deployment has been undertaken in partnership with Spanish consulting firm Ozona Tecnología and has ensured uninterrupted delivery of critical services and strategic infrastructures in the public ports managed by the APB. The APB’s average headcount is 324 people, 40% of them office workers. Practically all of these staff along with personnel in the Port Police service and Maintenance department have been provided with computer equipment so they can work from home. All of the APB’s organisational units, including Human Resources, Public Port Land, Secretariat and Legal Affairs, Procurement, Economic and Finance, Infrastructures, Port Operations and Services, Environment, Planning and the Port Police Control Centre, are continuing to do essential work for the operation of the ports remotely from their staff’s homes. Electronic management The APB’s e-Office is the contact point between the public body and its customers and users through the website www.portsdebalears.com. Maintenance and maritime signals personnel are at home and can be called out if they are needed on public port land. Minimum essential services are also being provided by the Port Police. All of this means the APB can keep running its five public ports in Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and La Savina which are an essential link in the logistics chain to ensure supplies reach the people living on the Balearic Islands.

The APB disinfects vehicles used for essential port services with ozone

The APB disinfects vehicles used for essential port services with ozone

30/03/2020

The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has bought six portable ozone generators to disinfect its official vehicles used for essential port services such as port police patrol cars and maritime signals and maintenance vans. The ozone generators are put inside the vehicles at the end of each shift and switched on for a few minutes to ensure thorough disinfection. They are also being used to disinfect port access control booths, control centres and communal areas and rooms. Ozone is an extremely efficient disinfectant and its use is recommended by the World Health Organisation in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. The APB has bought six portable ozone blasting units from Accuaria for nearly €6,000 and has deployed them around the public ports of Palma, Alcudia, Mahon, Ibiza and La Savina.

Understanding in principle with Formentera Council to update the Port of La Savina fire brigade agreement

Understanding in principle with Formentera Council to update the Port of La Savina fire brigade agreement

26/03/2020

The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has this week approved the update to its agreement with Formentera Island Council on fire prevention, fire-fighting, sea rescue and civil defence in the Port of La Savina. In response to the changes brought in by Spanish Law 40/2015 on agreements involving government and public agencies, the APB and Formentera Island Council have decided to update their agreement under which the Formentera Fire Brigade operates as an APB incident response team under its command on public port land in the Port of La Savina. In return the APB will contribute €24,000 per year, a figure which will go up by €1,000 annually over the four years of the agreement. This funding will be used to provide training and buy specific equipment for the Formentera Fire Brigade. Following the understanding in principle endorsed this week by the APB’s Board of Directors, the proposal for the agreement is to be forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for its approval. It will then have to be signed by the APB and Formentera Island Council and will come into force once it has been registered in the Electronic Register of Cooperation Agencies and Instruments and published in Spain’s Official State Gazette. Close partnership In 2018, the APB gave Formentera Island Council a small fire engine worth €191,000 in addition to laying on specific training for the Formentera Fire Brigade in operations in ports and buying specialised equipment. This new measure is part of the APB’s strategy of signing agreements with the island councils to enhance their fire-fighting resources and make port facilities as safe as possible.