Australia has completed an AUD$28.6 million to help the archipelagic nation of Tonga to upgrade the Queen Salote International Wharf at Nuku’alofa Port. Further funding was provided by the Asia Development Bank and the Kingdom of Tonga in a A$138.3 million project. The ports handles over 98% of Tonga’s imports and will be vital infrastructure for natural disaster relief.
The project rehabilitates and expands existing port infrastructure, including the upgrade of a wharf and container yard, and the extension of another wharf by 50 metres to a total length of 100 metres. New navigation markers, moorings, and buoys will be installed. Repairs to the container yard and improvements to port service systems are planned.
Upgrades have been made to port access roads, port services, electrical systems, stormwater drainage, fire safety, water resources, fuel, and CCTV. More than three quarters of the workforce will be local.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Tonga, His Excellency Mr. Brek Batley, has previously commented that “The Queen SIW connects Tonga to global trade. This milestone highlights the strong partnership between Australia, Tonga, and the ADB, enhancing the port’s resilience and sustainability. 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”.
Minister for Infrastructure, Sevenitini Toumo’ua, has previously spoken about the impact of the upgraded Wharf for local communities. “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 the ADB to make these much-needed upgrades a reality and to do so with climate resilience as a key focus.”
Australia committed funds through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific.
