Published January 6, 2026 | Category: Infrastructure

TL;DR: A public investment of nearly €5.4 million has been approved for the construction of new wastewater collectors in Balanegra, Berja and Dalias. The project will modernise ageing sanitation networks and benefit around 18,000 residents across the three municipalities.

€5.4 million investment approved for new wastewater collectors in western Almeria

The Andalusian regional government has approved a new infrastructure project aimed at upgrading wastewater collection systems in Balanegra, Berja and Dalias, in the western part of Almeria province. The investment, valued at €5,470,980, forms part of ongoing efforts to modernise sanitation infrastructure and improve environmental management.

The approved works include the construction of new wastewater collectors designed to address long-standing issues linked to ageing pipelines, limited capacity and system saturation. The new collectors will group multiple discharge points and connect them to existing networks, ensuring wastewater is properly conveyed to local treatment facilities.

In total, the project foresees the installation of close to ten kilometres of new collector pipes. Once completed, the upgraded network is expected to improve operational reliability, reduce the risk of overflow incidents and optimise wastewater treatment before discharge.

The works are scheduled with an estimated execution period of 12 months. According to regional authorities, the investment will directly benefit around 18,000 inhabitants living across the three municipalities.

The collector project was originally declared of general interest in 2010, highlighting the long-standing nature of the infrastructure challenges now being addressed. With the contract now signed, the initiative moves from planning into execution after more than a decade.

Looking for updates on public works, utilities and infrastructure projects across the province? Browse the latest stories in our Infrastructure section.

Published January 3, 2026 | Category: Infrastructure

TL;DR: Roquetas de Mar has approved a ten-year tender for a new urban transport service with a total budget exceeding €15 million. The decision signals a long-term reset of local public transport rather than a short-term service update, with implications for daily mobility, car dependency and access across the municipality.

Roquetas de Mar tenders a new urban transport service with a €15 million, ten-year contract

The municipality of Roquetas de Mar has approved the tender process for a new urban transport service, committing more than €15 million over a ten-year period. Rather than a routine renewal, the length and scale of the contract point to a structural rethink of how public transport functions within the town.

Urban bus services rarely attract attention unless they fail. Yet decisions taken at this level quietly shape daily life: how residents move between neighbourhoods, how dependent households remain on private cars, and how accessible services are for people without permanent access to a vehicle.

A long-term contract for a new urban transport service

A ten-year concession is a deliberate choice. It provides operational stability for the future operator but also locks in a transport model that will influence mobility patterns well into the next decade. Short contracts tend to prioritise cost control; long ones allow for route restructuring, fleet renewal and gradual adjustments to demand.

In a municipality with year-round residents, seasonal population swings and a dispersed urban layout, this kind of horizon matters. Public transport in Roquetas de Mar is not only about commuting, but also about access to healthcare, education, administrative services and commercial areas.

What this signals about urban mobility

The approved budget reflects more than operating costs. It suggests an acknowledgement that urban transport is a core municipal service rather than an auxiliary one. In practical terms, this opens the door to changes in route coverage, service frequency and vehicle allocation, although no specific operational details have yet been published.

For residents who rely on buses — including older populations, younger residents without cars and seasonal workers — the effectiveness of the future service will be felt immediately. For others, the impact may be indirect: reduced congestion in certain areas or shifts in parking pressure if public transport becomes a more viable alternative.

No operator selected yet

At this stage, the decision concerns the tender itself, not the appointment of an operator. The next phase will involve the publication of technical and administrative requirements, followed by a competitive bidding process. Until that process is completed, no firm conclusions can be drawn about vehicles, timetables or route changes.

The transition from the current service model to the new concession will depend on the outcome of that process and any overlap period required to ensure continuity. As with most infrastructure contracts, the practical effects will emerge gradually rather than overnight.

Why this matters beyond transport

Urban transport decisions are often read narrowly as mobility issues, but they also reflect broader planning priorities. A long-term commitment of this size suggests that Roquetas de Mar is positioning itself as a consolidated urban area rather than a purely car-oriented coastal town.

Whether that intention translates into meaningful improvements will depend on execution. The framework is now set; the effectiveness of the future service will determine whether public transport becomes a genuine option for daily movement or remains a secondary choice.

For more reporting on public transport, urban planning and long-term infrastructure decisions across the province, explore the Infrastructure section.

Published January 3, 2026 | Category: Infrastructure

TL;DR: The Port of Almeria is preparing for its 2026 cruise season with 29 scheduled ship calls and an estimated capacity of around 15,300 passengers. While the number of vessels is slightly higher than last year, overall passenger numbers are expected to be lower, pointing to a continued shift towards smaller cruise ships and more evenly distributed arrivals.

Almeria port prepares for 2026 cruise season with more calls but fewer passengers

The Port of Almeria will begin operations for the Almeria cruise season in April, with 29 scheduled ship calls and an overall passenger capacity of close to 15,300 visitors, according to provisional figures released by the Port Authority of Almería (APA).

Compared to the previous season, the data points to an increase in the number of ship calls but a reduction in total passengers. In 2025, Almeria received 28 cruise ships carrying more than 18,000 passengers. The new figures suggest a growing presence of smaller and mid-sized vessels rather than large-capacity cruise ships.

Season starts in April with peak activity in spring

The 2026 season is set to open on April 6 with the arrival of the Seven Seas Voyager, a vessel with capacity for nearly 700 passengers. April is expected to be the busiest month of the season, with up to seven cruise ship arrivals, including several days with multiple calls.

These early-season arrivals are forecast to account for roughly 18% of total passengers, with around 2,700 visitors expected during April alone. The concentration of calls in spring reflects the port’s positioning within wider Mediterranean cruise itineraries.

Smaller ships dominate the 2026 schedule

The boutique sailing ship Wind Surf will make the highest number of visits to Almeria, with four scheduled calls on April 23, June 17 and 27, and November 2. On June 27, its arrival will coincide with that of the Renaissance, resulting in a combined disembarkation of approximately 1,600 passengers.

The largest vessel expected during the season will be the Marella Explorer, operated by Marella Cruises. With a capacity of around 2,000 passengers and a length of 248 metres, it is scheduled to dock on November 4.

September will be the quietest month, with only one planned arrival: the Vidanta World’s Elegant, carrying fewer than 300 passengers, scheduled for September 24.

Season extends into December

Cruise activity in Almeria will continue into late December. On December 26, the Ambience is expected to arrive at the Ribera dock with approximately 1,400 passengers, coinciding with the Day of the Banner. Earlier in the month, on December 11, the Sirena, with capacity for 684 passengers, is also scheduled to call at the port.

Overall, the 2026 schedule confirms the structure of the Almeria cruise season, with a gradual shift towards lower-capacity ships and more evenly spaced arrivals, reducing peak-day pressure on port operations while maintaining a steady level of maritime activity throughout the year.

Looking for updates on ports, transport projects and public works across the province? Explore our latest coverage in the Infrastructure section.