Contract signed for multi-million Queen Salote Wharf upgrade [1]
Monday, August 8, 2022 - 21:01
The Asian Development Bank who is funding this Nuku'alofa Port Ugrade Project stated, that the contract awarded is worth USD$62.9 million.
The construction, which is scheduled to be completed in early 2025 has Royal Haskoning DHV, an international consulting firm specializing in maritime engineering from the Netherlands to supervise the construction.
The construction agreement was signed between the Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Sevenitini Toumo'ua; Minister of Finance Hon. Tatafu Moeaki; and Michael John Buckland from McConnell Dowell Constructors Ltd., in Nuku'alofa. Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku was present to witness the signing.
Project brief
In a statement the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said that parts of the Queen Salote Wharf date back to the opening in 1967 and part of the project will rehabilitate all degraded infrastructure at the cargo wharves to bring Wharf 1 back into commercial operation and extend the overall lifespan of the port.
The project will also extend Wharf 2 by 50 meters to allow international cargo ships to dock at both wharves, and add mooring equipment to enhance safety.
These interventions will allow the deployment of larger vessels, which will reduce shipping costs and ultimately the cost of importing and exporting goods.
The project will also deliver robust capacity building to enhance gender equality, business practices, and asset management.
Overall, the project will improve port capacity and operations to cope with demand for the coming 20 years and crucially, increase safety and resilience to the effects of natural hazards.
The funding of this project was approved by ADB on 3 December 2020.
Previously, in July 2019 ADB had also approved a grant to prepare engineering designs, update due diligence and procurement support for this project.