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Cruise ship project more than double the original estimate

Port Authorities estimate the work will cost 6 million euros whereas initial report quoted 2.3 million euros

Ciutadella. The original project has been modified several times - Archives

C.M.W.Maó14/06/10 0:00

The Balearic Port Authorities want the work that will enable cruise liners to dock at Ciutadella's future exterior harbour to start as soon as possible, but are already warning that it may not be possible for this work and that of the infrastructure to be completed at the same time. The Vice President, Antoni Armengol, explained that, as it was a modular project it could be done now or when the harbour works are finished.

Initial estimates by the Port Authorities put the cost of the additional infrastructure at 6 million euros, almost three times greater than the price included in the report produced by Europrincipia and Berenguer Ingenieros into the viability of cruise ships berthing at the new jetty which quoted a sum of 2.3 million euros. The report gave four possible options and the one chosen now was the second cheapest, but even so, the cost is now 163% higher than the original estimate.

Armengol explained that the Authorities would call for bids for drawing up the project, followed by a call for tenders for carrying out the work and rejected suggestions that the project would be automatically awarded to Ferrovial as was the case with the work to lengthen the jetty.

The modification to the project involves removing part of the structure envisaged on the original plans which had been considered vital to calm the waters within the harbour. In order to reduce the visual impact the Port Authorities have opted to extend the jetty to achieve the same effect, but this will lead to cruise ships having to reverse into the harbour which has drawn much criticism from sailing experts.