Valencia, March 4, 2020 – The Port Authority of Valencia (APV) has launched a tender for the administrative concession to construct and operate the new public passenger terminal at the Port of Valencia. This infrastructure will be located on a total area of approximately 100,000 m²between the Western Wharf and the Turia Breakwater Wharf, in the area formerly occupied by the Unión Naval de Valencia shipyard. The concession will be granted for a period of 35 years, renewable up to a maximum of 50 years. The deadline for submitting bids is April 17.
Terminal features
According to the tender specifications, the new terminal will serve cruise ship traffic, regular ferry services to the Balearic Islands and Algeria, and ro-ro traffic. To this end, the new terminal must have at least four berths, at least one of which must accommodate a cruise ship of 360 meters in length and another of at least 250 meters in length. All berths must be equipped with electrical power supply for vessels. The terminal must be able to accommodate two cruise ships on the same day, one as a home port and the other in transit, and two ferry/ro-pax vessels.
A secure and accessible terminal
Given its characteristics, the new terminal must guarantee the independent operation of cruise ship passengers and regular passenger passengers. The tender specifications also include a passenger reception building with an entrance hall, baggage storage area, security checkpoint equipped with X-ray and metal detectors, and space for customs and law enforcement agencies. Regarding the terminal's own services, the specifications stipulate that, at a minimum, it must provide space for medical facilities, a waiting area, walkways for access from the boarding corridor to the ship and vice versa with security cameras, Wi-Fi, a tourist information office, public restrooms, a crew lounge, and a check-in area for cruise lines. Optionally, the concessionaire may provide other services such as an office for the Port Authority of Valencia (APV), an area for large groups, storage facilities, a VIP area, a food court, a retail area, vending machines, ATMs, car rental areas, or a prayer room. The terminal design must guarantee accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
Regarding the exterior area, the terminal must include a short-stay parking area with at least 100 spaces, a parking area for buses and public transport with at least 10 spaces, and a taxi rank. It will also have a waiting area for international scheduled passenger services for Operation Crossing the Strait with 600 parking spaces, a children's play area, and a food and beverage area. The new terminal will have two separate entrances: one for heavy goods vehicles arriving via the South Access and another for light vehicles entering the terminal via the designated pedestrian access points.
Buildings of historical and artistic value
The design of the new terminal must respect the four elements of the former Unión Naval de Levante shipyard, listed by the Demetrio Ribes Chair as pieces of historical and artistic value. Specifically, these are the water reservoir, the shipbuilding slipway, two cranes that can be relocated, and Sub-Hall A of Hall III. In the latter case, the Port Authority of Valencia (APV) will undertake the rehabilitation of the structure, façade, and roofs of this building, while the concessionaire will handle the remaining renovations to adapt it to its new intended use, respecting the architecture of the hall and its western façade. It will be a historic and emblematic building of maritime Valencia that will continue to serve the city and its citizens—more than a century after its construction—now with the most modern environmental technologies.
Environmental plan
In addition to the business plan, bidders must submit an ambitious environmental plan that includes a commitment to adopting an environmentally friendly and sustainable management system, participation in joint initiatives promoted by the Port Authority of Valencia (APV), and an environmental impact assessment. As stipulated in the tender specifications, all berths must be equipped with a power supply network for docked vessels, and all roofs and decks of existing buildings must be designed for the installation of photovoltaic solar panels. Furthermore, bidders must submit a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plan for the new public passenger terminal.
Award criteria
For the awarding of the contract, the tender specifications allocate 45 points for the financial offer and 55 points for the business plan. Specifically, for the allocation of points related to the business plan, 15 points will be awarded for terminal operations, assessing operational procedures and terminal organization, the layout of the concession area, the basic project, and the integration of Sub-Hall A of Hall 3. The overall business strategy and the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plan will each be worth 5 points. In the case of the CSR plan, the corporate governance strategy will be considered, as well as measures related to gender equality, work-life balance, and universal accessibility. The Environmental Plan submitted by the bidders will allow bidders to obtain up to 20 points. Of these, 7 points will be awarded for measures to reduce CO2 equivalent emissionsand /or energy consumption in the terminal's machinery, equipment, and facilities; Seven more points will be awarded to the proposal with the highest percentage of energy use from renewable sources; and the remaining six points will be awarded to the proposal with the highest percentage of machinery and equipment that is electrically powered or runs on alternative, non-petroleum-based fuels. Finally, the tariff offer will be worth 10 points.
