EAP - The Pacific Infrastructure Challenge - World Bank (2006).pdf
EAP - The Pacific Infrastructure Challenge - World Bank (2006).pdf
EAP - The Pacific Infrastructure Challenge - World Bank (2006).pdf
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Suva Port, Fiji 75<br />
Suva Port is the main port for international container trade in Fiji. It is also the focal point of<br />
domestic services to outer islands, fishing and ship repair services. <strong>The</strong> port handles 69% of<br />
all ship calls in Fiji. Container traffic makes up the majority of cargo operations and has<br />
increased over the past 20 years. <strong>The</strong> existing wharf cannot support the weight of containers<br />
and lifting equipment so trucks are required to help transfer containers to storage. Although<br />
the existing yard space is adequate for current TEU volumes, it is estimated that this will not<br />
be the case after 2011, when the total yard capacity of 50,000 TEU per annum will be<br />
reached.<br />
Ships serving Suva must have their own lifting gear as the port has no shore-based lifting<br />
cranes. Cargo handling productivity improved from 5.23 containers per vessel-hour in 1998<br />
to 8 containers per vessel hour using the ships’ lifting gear. <strong>The</strong> requirement for ships to<br />
carry lifting gear does not impact intra-regional traffic as this is a requirement for other<br />
<strong>Pacific</strong> ports. However, it does constrain the number of calls from ships on international<br />
routes as many of these would only need the gear for Suva.<br />
Cargo handling at Suva port is also inefficient and the state of cargo handling equipment<br />
poor 76 . This affects ship productivity and in turn affects freight costs. Overall, this<br />
contributes to fewer ships calling and hence reduces the competitiveness of the port.<br />
Port Vila and Santo Port, Vanuatu 77<br />
Port Vila is the major port in Vanuatu. It handles around 70% of all imports and 30% of all<br />
exports (by tonnage). It has recently been overhauled through the ADB-funded Urban<br />
<strong>Infrastructure</strong> project to extend the wharf’s working life by another 20 years. Although over<br />
80% of cargo is containerized, Port Vila has inadequate container handling facilities. This<br />
restricts the ability of the port to encourage more foreign vessels and operators on interisland<br />
routes.<br />
Santo port handles the remainder of the overseas traffic in Vanuatu and serves as an<br />
international collection point for northern islands. It has recently undergone a complete<br />
rehabilitation to overcome serious degradation and lack of maintenance. <strong>The</strong> renovations<br />
have significantly improved the port’s performance. <strong>The</strong> average ship turnaround time has<br />
been reduced from a level of 2.2 (in 1996) to 1.1 (in 2001) days per ship, overall ship waiting<br />
time has been reduced to almost zero, from 15.5 days in 1990 and 8.3 days in 1991. <strong>The</strong> total<br />
number of vessels calling at Santo increased from 66 in 1998 to 85 in 2001.<br />
Betio Port, Kiribati 78<br />
Betio port in Tarawa is the primary commercial port in Kiribati, the only gateway for foreign<br />
trade and the centre of domestic sea transport. Large ships cannot berth alongside the quay<br />
wall and containers are transferred between ship and shore using barges and tugs. This<br />
75 “Report and Recommendation of the President to the Board of Directors on a Proposed Loan to the<br />
Maritime and Ports Authority of Fiji for the Fiji Ports Development Project in the Republic of the Fiji Islands”,<br />
ADB, January 2002<br />
76 Ibid<br />
77<br />
Sources: “Vanuatu <strong>Infrastructure</strong> Masterplan” Republic of Vanuatu, 2002, “Vanuatu: Economic<br />
Performance and <strong>Challenge</strong>s Ahead” ADB <strong>Pacific</strong> Studies Series, 2002 and “Santo Port Project Performance<br />
Audit Report” ADB, May 2002<br />
78 Sources: “Review of Maritime Transport 2000: Chapter V Port Development” United Nations, 2000<br />
127