New Direction in the Reorganization of Palma Port

The Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB) has begun a round of consultations with representatives from the port community and other social, institutional, and economic stakeholders to achieve maximum consensus on the reorganization of Palma Port.

In this participatory process, opinions and specific requirements will be gathered to develop a new proposal that meets the needs and expectations of all stakeholders, prioritizing the general interest.

APB President Javier Sanz, along with his technical team, is participating in these meetings to outline a new direction for the port based on broad consensus among all participating groups. “We are not discussing budgets or square meters. We are talking about current needs and future solutions. It is about defining uses, spaces, and essential port activities, as well as ensuring the supply for the population,” Sanz emphasized. “The future reorganization of Palma Port will be fully compatible with the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of both Palma city and the islands,” he added.

The APB has already held meetings with representatives of the nautical sector such as the Balearic Marine Cluster, business associations like the Patronal Association of Maritime Activities of the Balearic Islands (APEAM), the Association of Nautical Companies of the Balearic Islands (AENIB), the Spanish Association of Large Yachts (AEGY), the Association of Nautical and Sports Facilities of the Balearic Islands (ANADE), boat repair companies like STP and Astilleros de Mallorca, and marina concessionaires of Palma Port such as Club de Mar, Naviera Balear, Pantalán del Mediterráneo, Marina Port de Mallorca, Marina Cuarentena, and Lonja Marina Charter.

Meetings have also been held with PIMECO, CAEB, the Chamber of Commerce, and social or cultural associations such as Friends of the Maritime Museum of Mallorca, Associació Ran de Mar, Associació Alzinaires, and the Fishermen’s Guild of Palma, among more than twenty institutions, groups, or associations. Upcoming meetings include those with ARCA, FANMED, ACOIPAM, the Paseo Marítimo Neighborhood Association, and the Civil Society Forum, with the possibility of expanding these contacts to other entities, administrations, or political groups.

CAEB President Carmen Planas has supported the initiative, stating, “We need to integrate the port into the city, involving all citizens by opening our main window to the sea, while reorganizing the spaces to make them more useful, sustainable, and competitive for the nautical companies operating in Palma.”

After the recent withdrawal of the 2020 reorganization proposal by the APB Board of Directors, Palma Port now aims to chart a new course to ensure maritime connectivity and the operability of the Balearic Islands’ logistics chain. Additionally, the plan includes redistributing industrial boat repair areas and rebuilding Palma’s waterfront, allocating spaces for port-city integration projects such as creating a municipal sailing school, relocating the nautical-fishing vocational training building, and developing an interactive museum that also houses the fish market and fishermen’s guild.