The APB puts the contract for the port bus in the port of Ibiza out to public tender for a period of 15 years
The aim is to consolidate a more sustainable, efficient and passenger-oriented internal maritime transport model
Palma
26/06/2025
The Board of Directors of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) passed a resolution, in its last meeting held yesterday in Palma, to approve the specifications and clauses that will govern the public tender for the management, under concession, of the port bus in the port of Ibiza. The duration of this concession contract will be fifteen years.
The service, which has been provided since 2023 under temporary one-year authorisations, is now entering a new phase that will allow for its long-term consolidation and the development of improvements in both operational and environmental sustainability. The tender aims to guarantee a more efficient, accessible service with a lower environmental impact, in line with the decarbonisation and sustainable mobility strategy promoted by the APB.
The port bus service offers a priority maritime connection between the pontoon attached to the Botafoc Commercial Docks and the Contramuelle Norte, facilitating the transfer of passengers from the docking points to the city centre. The minimum frequency of the service during cruise calls will be 20 minutes, and the timetable shall be designed to match the ships' arrival and departure times. In addition, bidders may tender for other lines within port waters zone 1 using the embarkation and disembarkation points set out in the tender documents.
The tender requires the successful bidder to have at least three vessels, with a total capacity of at least 150 passengers, and to have engines that comply with IMO Tier III international emissions standards. The use of clean technologies and proposals that reinforce the port's environmental commitment will be considered positively.
In addition, the concession holder must maintain the facilities, manage waste, ensure accessibility and have modern ticketing and ticket control systems. The service will include physical customer service points and ticket offices, as well as digital solutions for purchase and access.
The annual occupancy fee has been set at almost €8,000, while the activity rate is set at 4% of turnover.
With this competition, the APB seeks to consolidate an internal maritime transport model that reduces land traffic, improves the user experience and contributes to the port system's sustainability objectives.
