The president of Puertos del Estado visits the Port of Avilés and gets firsthand knowledge of the main plans and challenges of the Port Authority
February 3, 2022 - The president of Puertos del Estado, Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, has visited the facilities of the Port Authority of Avilés for the first time as president to get firsthand knowledge of the plans, strategies, and main challenges of the port managers. The president of Puertos del Estado expresses his closeness and commitment to the Asturian enclave, which he already knows extensively. In fact, he participated a few weeks ago in the Dredging Conference organized by the Port Authority in the city.
Precisely, the dredging of the bar and entrance channel to the Avilés estuary has been one of the most relevant topics discussed in meetings with Santiago Rodríguez Vega and Ramón Muñoz-Calero, president and director of the Avilés port. The difficulties in finding suitable sand for dumping on Salinas Beach, possible investments in the Castrillón sandy area, and the existing pollution levels in the surroundings of the Nalón and its nearby beaches have made it necessary to develop a comprehensive plan by the port. This plan involves the commitment and steps of all entities involved, aiming to address the need to find solutions to finance the extension of the San Juan dike to prevent the loss of sand on the beach.
Other aspects discussed in the meetings between representatives of both organizations include the needs for new spaces for port use. The Port Authority recently completed a study on the needs and possibilities of expanding the port. The study concluded that new land is required for exploitation and industrial logistics linked to the port, especially on the right bank of the estuary, where the main occupancy needs are arising, mainly associated with the logistics of wind turbine components.
In line with this Expansion Plan, the president of the Port Authority emphasized the importance of the North Bypass for road access to the left bank of the port. This aims to limit the passage of heavy vehicles on Conde de Guadalhorce Avenue to the maximum extent possible, highlighting the importance of coordinating and promoting the development of this project with the greatest intensity possible.
Finally, the Port highlighted various initiatives and investments made and planned in innovation, as well as the commitment to continue digitization and make port facilities more sustainable and energy self-sufficient.
After this initial meeting with port managers, a meeting was held with the Board of Directors of the Port Authority, where necessary presentations were made. A meeting with port management personnel and another with some representatives of the Port Community and clients completed the day, which ended with a visit to the docks and port facilities, accompanied by the Government Delegate in Asturias.