The Enhancing Safety, Security, and Sustainability of Apia Port Project will transform the port into a more resilient and efficient international port.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Samoa participated in a groundbreaking ceremony on August 13 to officially start the upgrading of the country’s international port.
Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mata’afa gave the keynote address at the event that was also attended by Samoa’s Minister of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure Olo Fiti Vaai, other senior government officials and Dahlia Loibl from ADB’s Samoa Pacific Country Office.
“Now is the time to develop resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events and climate change,” said Minister Olo. “We are delighted to partner with ADB in this transformational project.”
Financed by ADB and Samoa, the Enhancing Safety, Security, and Sustainability of Apia Port Project will transform the port into a more resilient and efficient international port.
“Apia Port is Samoa’s main maritime gateway, and this project will deliver a world-class port that is climate-proofed, safer, and more secure,” said the Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Subregional Office in Fiji Masayuki Tachiiri. “We highly appreciate that the project made steady progress to achieve this important milestone despite challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and border closures”.
Samoa has historically suffered from disasters triggered by cyclones and earthquakes. The breakwater at the port is badly damaged. The project will rehabilitate and upgrade it to withstand a 100-year storm event and a 50-year sea-level rise.
The redevelopment of the port will include a customs facility with a new container x-ray scanner to enable more effective border management.
Gender-responsive green port initiatives will be piloted to promote clean and sustainable port operations and management. The project will also promote the greater participation of women employees in undertaking technical and management roles to operationalize the green port initiatives and multi-hazard disaster preparedness plans.
This feature was published at Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 13 August 2021, reposted via PACNEWS.
Banner: Apia Harbor, Samoa. Photo: ADB
