Wharf no. 1, the latest milestone of the Nuku'alofa Port Upgrade, was commissioned in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 12 July 2024 in Tongatapu.

The Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku was joined by Asian Development Bank (ADB) Director General for the Pacific Leah Gutierrez, the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga Brek Batley and Tonga's Minister of Infrastructure Sevenitini Toumo’ua.

“ADB deeply appreciates the partnership with the Government of Australia to support Tonga in undertaking this critical climate resilient infrastructure investment,” said Ms. Gutierrez.

“This transformational project is making maritime transportation safer and more reliable from Nuku’alofa to the outer islands including extreme weather events and will boost Tonga’s connectivity to the region.”

“The Queen Salote International Wharf connects Tonga to global trade. This milestone highlights the strong partnership between Australia, Tonga, and ADB, enhancing the port's resilience and sustainability,” said Mr. Batley.

“The Australian Government remains committed to investing in sustainable infrastructure, jobs, skills, and connectivity—in Tonga and across the Pacific—to ensure prosperity for communities and for generations to come,” he said.

“The economic importance of Tonga’s ports for local industry, businesses and everyday life cannot be understated, and the Government of Tonga is pleased to be partnering with Australia and ADB to make these much-needed upgrades a reality and to do so with climate resilience as a key focus,” said Toumo’ua.

The project is part of an ongoing commitment to rehabilitate, and upgrade Tonga’s transport infrastructure.

The completion of Phase 1  includes constructing a berthing dolphin and two mooring dolphins, rehabilitating Wharf 1 and developing pavement and other facilities such as stormwater, electrical, firefighting, and freshwater systems.

ADB approved an additional $10 million grant, and the Government of Australia—through their Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific—contributed $20 million, bringing the total value of donor contributions to $75 million. The Government of Tonga also contributed $8.5 million, bringing the total project value to $83.5 million.