Photograph: Chris Moorhouse

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Palma's new port has started to take shape ready to face the challenges of the next decade. An army of labourers are working around the clock to complete the new ferry dock at the Dique del Oeste, built to accommodate the record number of cruise-ships which are visiting the port of Palma. Palma is rapidly becoming the cruise liner centre of the western Mediterranean and is one of the most popular ports of call with the major liners. Last summer the giant P&O cruise ships Aurora and Oriana visited the local port. However, the Port Authority found that there was not enough berths to accommodate these giant ships. Also, starting to take shape is the new marina of Palma de Mallorca, just off the Paseo Maritimo. This project which will be completed soon will help overcome the severe shortage of yacht moorings which exists at the moment. Much to the despair of port captains yachts have to be turned away from the Balearics every summer because of the shortage of berths. The Palma Port Authorities and private companies are investing thousands of millions of pesetas in trying to improve Palma's nautical and maritime facilities. Once all the projects are completed then Palma's position as a key Mediterranean port will go completely unchallenged.