Passenger, vehicle and freight traffic has multiplied since the opening of Son Blanc and the port is now facing a new stage of modernization and sustainability

Ports de les Illes Balears (PortsIB), a public entity dependent on the Ministry of the Sea and the Water Cycle of the Government of the Balearic Islands, commemorates this month the 15th anniversary of the opening of the outer port of Ciutadella, an infrastructure that, since its entry into operation in mid-May 2011, has consolidated itself as one of the main gateways to Menorca and a strategic engine for maritime connectivity, the transport of goods and the economic development of the Island.

Over the past fifteen years, the Port of Son Blanc has experienced constant growth, both in terms of activity volume and operational capacity. Passenger traffic has practically tripled, increasing from 238.420 users in 2011 to more than 643.000 in 2025. Vehicle traffic has also multiplied, growing from 48.645 to more than 200.000 annually, while the number of trucks has risen from 14.675 to more than 36.000.

The evolution of maritime traffic has transformed the outer port of Ciutadella into an essential infrastructure for ensuring the supply of goods to Menorca and strengthening inter-island and mainland transport. At the same time, the volume of goods transported now exceeds 597 million kilos annually, consolidating the port's logistical role.

Since its commissioning, the Son Blanc dock has improved maritime operations in Ciutadella and responded to the progressive increase in regular passenger and freight traffic. The infrastructure has also become a strategic asset for the Menorcan economy, particularly for the year-round supply of goods and products.

Fifteen years after its opening, the port is now entering a new phase marked by modernization and sustainability. PortsIB is currently driving a strategic investment to improve the port's operational efficiency, with projects that will adapt the facilities to the continued growth of maritime traffic and new environmental requirements.

Among the main planned projects is the construction of the future permanent maritime terminal, a long-awaited infrastructure project since the opening of the dock, which will allow for improved service to the hundreds of thousands of passengers who use the port annually. A second access ramp for road traffic will also be built, increasing safety and improving internal traffic flow within the port area, along with a functional reorganization of the boarding and disembarking zones to optimize maritime operations.

The project also includes the creation of a new logistics zone for trucks next to the dock, a key action to improve efficiency and promote better coexistence between port activity and the urban environment.

These improvements are complemented by the implementation of the OPS (Onshore Power Supply or Cold Ironing) system, an initiative funded by the European Union's Next Generation EU program. This will allow ships to connect to the electrical grid while docked, thus avoiding the use of auxiliary engines. This measure will contribute to reducing polluting emissions, noise, and fossil fuel consumption, moving towards a more sustainable and efficient port model.

Fifteen years after its inauguration, Son Blanc continues to transform itself to meet the needs of present and future Menorca, consolidating itself as a strategic infrastructure for the maritime connectivity of the Island and for the entire port system of the Balearic Islands.