The Balearic Port Authorities have decided to add two more units to the outer arm of the exterior jetty at Ciutadella, increasing its length by 80 metres to 640 metres. This will involve an additional cost of 7 million euros for the material alone, excluding labour and installation charges. The Port Authorities have decided to award this work directly to Ferrovial, the company currently constructing the jetty.
Apart from increasing the maximum size of vessel that will be able to use the new facility from 160 metres to 250 metres length, the addition of the two units at a more open angle will improve the safety aspect within the harbour by reducing water turbulence. This, in turn, will reduce the number of hours that the new port is closed to maritime traffic from 58.5 hours to 25.87 hours.
No small boat moorings
An idea proposed recently by some of the nautical sector to create moorings for small craft in the channel between the inner and outer walls of the jetty was rejected by the President of the Balearic Port Authorities, Jaume Carbonero. He stated that the space had been designed to act as a defence mechanism and not to provide berths.
Another suggestion that he discounted, again on the grounds of safety, was to permit vessels to berth along the outer part of the jetty which would have allowed cruise ships to use the new harbour.