The Port of Barcelona’s Management Board approved the Port of Barcelona's Self-Protection Plan (PAU) 2016 this year in accordance with the requirements of Decree 30/2015 and the Law on State Ports. At the end of the year, final approval of the plan was pending the arrival of information from the competent authorities in order to apply for approval to the Generalitat's Directorate-General for Civil Protection. The new PAU includes the Port Interior Maritime Plan regulating the response to marine pollution, and takes into account coordination with the Port Security Plan.
As for training for firemen, various courses were held, both within the Cooperation Agreement with Barcelona City Hall and at the following specialised centres: the École Nationale Supérieure des Officiers de Sapeurs-Pompiers, in France, and the Institut de Seguretat Pública de Catalunya (ISPC); the Centro de Seguridad Marítima Integral Jovellanos, in Gijón; the Seganosa training centre in Pontevedra, and the Tunnel Safety Testing centre in Siero (Asturias).
This year we once again rolled out the annual calendar of drills set out in the Mutual Assistance Agreement (PAM) signed in 2003 between the companies affected by the legislation on major accidents, and implemented measures related to mobility and access controls in the high security area. Companies performed a total of 23 internal drills, exercises and practices throughout 2016 to implement the Self-Protection Plan (PAU) involving the activation of the Port of Barcelona's PAU. This figure includes drills by companies affected by the Catalonia Chemical Security Plan (PLASEQCAT).
This year the Port of Barcelona general drill involved a chemical risk scenario originating at the TEPSA plant and involved the participation of the remaining plants and companies on the Energy Wharf. The exercise had a radius of intervention and preventive action of around 600 metres and required activating the Port PAU at level 2. As this plant is affected by the major accidents legislation, the following external plans were also activated: Barcelona City Council's PAEM for serious accidents at chemical risk companies and the Catalan Government's PLASEQCAT.
Regarding management of dangerous goods, in accordance with the handling requirements set by Royal Decree 145/89, in 2016 a total of 122,924 authorisations were granted (+19%) and a volume of 710,436 tonnes of containerised cargo moved (+11%). We would underline the nearly 800 highrisk dangerous goods operations (MPAR), performed in the presence of Barcelona Fire Brigade, following the cooperation agreement signed in 1995. Under this agreement, Barcelona Fire Brigade was given a new latest generation 42-metre selfextending ladder vehicle, involving an investment of € 850,000.