The President of Puertos del Estado shows Interest in Investment Projects Launched by the Port Authority, as well as in land accessibility to the Ports of Almería and Carboneras

On March 16, 2022, Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, President of Puertos del Estado, visited the Port of Almería, where, accompanied by the President of the Almería Port Authority (APA), Jesús Caicedo, he toured the port facilities and learned about various ongoing works and projects. Before the tour of the port area and after signing the guestbook, the President of the Public Organization held separate meetings with APA executives and representatives of the Port Community.

During the meeting with the APA management team, the status of the railway integration projects in the Port of Almería and the construction of a direct link from the port facility to the A-7 motorway in the Bayyana area were discussed. The President of Puertos del Estado committed to proposing meetings to the Ministry of Transport to boost these projects. Additionally, he suggested launching a study for a direct road access to the Port of general interest in Carboneras from the A-7. Jesús Caicedo, who appreciated Rodríguez Dapena's positive attitude, emphasized that the connection to the railway "is of vital importance for the port's development, even though it is less than 500 meters from the railway station."

The President and the APA executive committee reviewed with the President of the Public Organization the short and medium-term actions outlined in the 2021-2025 Business Plan, which, as a whole, involves an investment of about 50 million euros. Among other actions, the development of the West area of the port stands out, for which the drafting of the projects to extend the Pechina dock and its land connection to the Outer Dock is in the final phase, with an investment of about 25 million euros. The land access to the Outer Dock will allow accommodating deeper-draft vessels and offshore platforms. Simultaneously, the extension of the Pechina Dock will address the growing traffic of bulk cargo such as gypsum, a product of which Almería is one of the world's main producers.

The President of Puertos del Estado also visited the construction works of the new building for the offices of the Port Police and the State Security Forces and Corps. Currently based at the Maritime Station, the new building's commissioning will allow the APA to expand the passenger terminal.

PORT-CITY PROJECT

The Port-City project was another topic addressed in the meeting, including the ongoing second phase of the restoration of the Cable Inglés—a project that Rodríguez Dapena visited. This intervention, with an investment of more than 2 million euros, receives a contribution from the 1.5% Cultural of the Ministries of Transport and Culture. Jesús Caicedo presented the APA's efforts to carry out the third phase, which will enhance the cargo dock of the old mineral loader.

As part of the actions for the integration of the Port and the City, the APA President announced that the expansion and adaptation project of the Levante Dock for cruises and the recovery of the maritime front of Las Almadrabillas will soon be completed. The estimated investment in these projects is around 25 million euros.

MEETING WITH THE PORT COMMUNITY

During the meeting with the Port Community, attended by representatives of companies and institutions operating in the ports of Almería and Carboneras, issues relevant to different links in the logistics chain were discussed. Various perspectives on the current situation of the national port system were shared, along with expectations for the growth and development of the ports managed by the APA. In the case of the state-owned Port of Carboneras, the Futur-e project was discussed, in which Endesa is seeking alternatives for its facilities and the port after the closure of the thermal power plant.

The meeting also analyzed the impact on passenger maritime traffic due to the closure of the borders of Morocco and Algeria, as a result of Covid-related measures. Despite the Algerian government reopening its borders in November 2021, passenger movements with North Africa have decreased by more than 90%, compared to figures from the years before the pandemic.