Tonga: Nuku’alofa Port Upgrade Project (EIA Report)

Queen Salote International Wharf (QSIW) is International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) compliant and the United States Coast Guard undertake a yearly audit of the facility. Following a fatal accident at QSIW that cost the life of a port worker, a safety audit conducted by the South Pacific Community (SPC) for the Ports Authority of Tonga (PAT) in July 2018 found serious health and safety hazards, related to the poor condition of the container yard (unpaved and uneven sections, no road markings) imposing a risk of heavy machinery capsizing, the unsafe handling of containers, poor lighting, and the lack of a fire hydrant, life buoys and available first aid kits. 2. The current operating conditions at QSIW are poor, with practices negatively impacting the environment, such as uncontrolled dumping of rubbish and waste (with overspill onto the foreshore), non-bunded fuel storage areas and the pooling of water and other liquids. In June 2018, as part of a green port initiative across several Pacific countries, SPC also undertook an energy audit aimed at assisting PAT to reduce energy consumption. A range of projects and management practices were identified to cut energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, such as improved planning and control of vehicle movements or replacement of lighting. However, PAT has only implemented some of the interventions due to lack of capacity and funding. 3. The Government of Tonga (the government) has requested support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to prepare a project that will upgrade the Nuku’alofa Port, rehabilitating, renewing and expanding the existing infrastructure and improving management and operational practices. The project will result in the improved capacity and operation of Nuku’alofa Port. The project will provide safer, more reliable and more affordable transport infrastructure and services in Tonga. 4. Institutional arrangem