The board of directors of the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) agreed, during the session held today, to develop studies and projects for a new proposal for the configuration of infrastructure and uses of the port of Palma, after concluding a participatory process with its interest groups.
The solution must take into account the four axes which have been presented and agreed with all the interest groups consulted over the last few months. First of all, maintain the simultaneity of port operations on commercial docksthe Poniente-Paraires quays and the West quay, as they are currently operated. This aspect eliminates the threat of congestion in port operations for embarkation and disembarkation of cargo and passengers, especially during morning peak hours.
Second, move the space intended for cruise ships, concentrating their activity on the Poniente-Paraires quay. At the same time and to the extent that it is compatible with the maintenance of port operations in each area, the proposal will also promote the gradual transfer of repair and maintenance areas to the west quay area and in the sheltered waters of the port.
Finally, and as added value to the general interest of the proposal, the new configuration will develop an integration project between the port and the city in the spaces vacated by the ship repair industry located in front of the Cathedral and in the Contramuelle – Calf. Both spaces will be used for initiatives related to culture, training and especially sport, prioritizing values such as the expansion of the city and the transfer of quality spaces for the use of citizens.
During the same meeting, the board of directors also agreed to initiate all necessary procedures, including corresponding contracts to detail the actions to be undertaken and estimate public and private investments. Also the preparation of projects with the economic and environmental studies necessary for the creation of infrastructures, depending on the port uses resulting from the reorganization.
Broad consensus
Last summer, the APB began a series of contacts with representatives of their interest groups to comply with the requirements of the Board of Directors and State Ports, by which it was determined that any port management solution fully compatible with the economic, environmental and social sustainability of Palma and the island would be defended. of Mallorca, which emanates from a broad consensus between all political-institutional, economic and social groups, within the framework of the current envelope of the port.
As a result, the port organization developed a participatory process from June to October 2024 during which the broad outlines of the proposal for reorganizing the uses of the Port of Palma were presented to more than 65 representatives from different groups.
Thus, contacts have been maintained with the nautical sector through associations and concessionary companies such as APEAM, STP- Servicios Técnico Portuarios, Astilleros de Mallorca, Balearic Marine Cluster, ADNEA, FANMED, Club de Mar, Naviera Balear, Pantalán del Mediterranean, Marina Port. de Mallorca, Marina Cuarentena, La Lonja Marina Charter, Association of Nautical Clubs of the Balearic Islands, AENIB and ANADE.
On the economic sector side, meetings took place with PIMEM, PIMECO, CAEB, Chamber of Commerce, AFEDECO and ACOIPAM. In the social and environmental field, the association of Friends of the Maritime Museum, the Ran de Mar Association, the Palma Neighborhood Association, the Royal Spanish Naval League, the Association of Alzinaires, the Palma Fishermen’s Guild, the Federation of Balearic Fishermen’s Guilds, the Paseo Marítimo Neighborhood Association. , the Civil Society Forum and ARCA.
As for the official colleges, meetings took place with the Official College of Architects, the College of Naval Engineers and the College of Civil, Canal and Port Engineers.
Finally, the series of contacts ended with the meeting in the political field with the parliamentary groups of the Popular Party, PSIB-PSOE, Unidas Podemos/Més per Mallorca, Vox and with the Government delegate to the Balearic Islands, Alfonso Rodriguez.
The APB Board of Directors unanimously agreed during its June 5 session to withdraw from the environmental treatment of the reorganization project of the Port of Palma approved in 2020, which provided for the concentration of regular traffic in the basin of the west dock and the allocation of commercial docks to the nautical maintenance sector, as well as suspension of the contract for the development of construction projects.
