Solomon Islands
2.1.1 Solomon Islands Port of Honiara
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Key port information can also be found at:

Website of the Maritime Database on the Port of Honiara

Port Overview

The seaport of Point Cruz is the main port of entry into Solomon Islands. A number of international shipping companies operate as the port has facility to handle containers Passenger ferry services operate from Honiara's main wharf at Point Cruz, the Notable operators are the ferry operations MV Pelican Express and MV Solomon Express, offering services once a week to Malaita and the western provincial cities of Mbunikalo, Seghe, Noro, and Gizo. Fuel is imported through a single buoy mooring system and pumped ashore through to the tanks farms belonging to Shell and those of Markworth Oil Ltd, Honiara Bulk Fuel. Larger vessels requiring bunkers up to 100,000 litres can be bunkered at the main port using trucks. Dump barges can be engaged for bunkers greater than 100,000 litres provided at least two weeks notice is given (South Pacific Oils).  

 

The Port is undertaking a physical and administrative revamp, consultants from Singapore have reviewed all aspects of the physical, tariffs, processes and administration operation. The access roads are being repaired and upgraded; Lighting mounted on 30-meter turrets, container equipment to complement the new pier being constructed is being ordered, (the list was not available). The Port tariffs, inclusive of Marine and cargo operations have increased by 300 % to 400 % effective from the 1st of September 2015.

The port productivity is considered on the low side. The Stevedore operations are part of the Solomon Islands Port Authority

Port website: www.sipa.sb

Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com

Port Location and Contact

Country

Solomon Islands

Province or District

Gaudalcanal

Nearest Town or City

with Distance from Port

Honiara

Adjacent to port

Port's Complete Name

Port Of Honiara

Latitude

  -9.426389

Longitude

 159.9772

Managing Company or Port Authority

 Solomon Islands Ports Authority

Management Contact Person

Hugo Bugoro

Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures

AIRPORT NAME: Honiara International (8 km)

LIST OF INTERNATIONAL CARRIERS: Solomon Airlines, Air Pacific, Air Vanuatu, Fiji Airlines, Pacific Blue Airlines, Virgin Blue, Qantas

Port Picture

1          Container berth 1                    5. Shell Fuel Storage facility                                       

2          Container berth 2                    6. Coastal shipping wharves

3          Storage warehouse                 7. Markworth Oil Fuel Storage facility

4          Container storage area           8. Patrol boat berths

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

The Management of the port is under Solomon Islands Port Authority (SIFA). They are responsible for all administrative matters and development. SIFA also manage all stevedoring operations. Tug boat services are contracted to 2 companies Pacific Towing (a Papua New Guinea company) and Dalgros (local). Port security is organised by the Government appointed Director Of Corporate Service There are several local shipping agents, Tradco, Sullivans and IDC Shipping Agencies, who handle the bulk of the port business. Transport ex-port by road is mainly done by owner operators or onward shipped on ferries and small boats to other islands.

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link:  4.2.3 Soloman Islands Port and Waterways Company Contact List

Port Performance

The only limitations to vessel size are the depth of the berths. There are no bottlenecks. Pilotage and Tugs are compulsory for vessels above 40m LOA. The port is rarely congested and consequently there is no waiting time. If necessary, humanitarian cargo will be given priority, with prior approval from the Ministry Of Foreign Affairs. This is a formality.

Seasonal Constraints

 

Occurs

Time Frame

Rainy Season

No

-

Major Import Campaigns

Yes

Nov – Jan (does not affect operations)

Other Comments

 Nov-Jan peak is due to festive season imports

Handling Figures for 2015

Vessel Calls

417

Container Traffic (TEUs)

32,000

Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk for 2015

(Includes Container volume)

Bulk (MT)

139,214

Break bulk (MT)

526.468

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

 

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link: www.sipa.com.sb/

 

Charges applied as per gazette rate to Break Bulk cargoes:

 

Stevedoring Charge @ $39.00 per Revenue tons

 

Tonnage dues @ $45.00

 

Handling Charge @ $25.00 per Revenue tones

 

Wharf charges @ $10.50 per Revenue tons

Solomon Islands Port of Honeira Additional Information

Note: The information provided in the attached documents, which has been taken from the old DLCA, does not match the structure of the new LCA and is therefore provided separately.

Berthing Specifications

Type of Berth

Quantity

Length

(m)

Maximum

Draft (m)

Comments

Conventional Berth

2 x multi -use

#1. 130

8 - 10

 

Container Berth

#2. 150

12

Also RoRo capable

Silo Berth

No

   

 

Berthing Tugs

No

   

2 x tugs berthed at domestic Ferry jetties or anchored

Water Barges

No

   

May be berthed at domestic ferry jetties

Adjacent to the international Port of Honiara, there are 7 small jetties for local cargo/passenger and fishing vessels. 

Fuel is discharged through a submarine cable and deposited into tanks on the wharf, run by the two fuel importers.

Further information on berthing specifications can be found in the following document:

Solomon Islands Port of Honeira Additional Information

Honiara has a deepwater international berth 120 meters (m) long, with a maximum depth of 10.5m alongside. Vessels up to 200 m long can be handled. In addition, Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) operates a 85-m wharf, with a depth of 3.4 m alongside, as well as a barge ramp. Adjacent to the international Port of Honiara, there are 7 small jetties for local cargo/passenger and fishing vessels. Fuel is discharged through a submarine cable and deposited into tanks on the wharf, run by the two fuel importers.

General Cargo Handling Berths

Cargo Type

Berth Identification

Imports - Bagged Cargo

Berths 1 & 2

Exports - Bagged Cargo

Berths 1 & 2

Imports and Exports - RoRo

Berth  2

Other Imports

Berths 1 & 2


Port Handling Equipment

Is the port handling equipment is operated and managed by SIPA, the Port Management entity

Equipment

Available

Total Quantity and Capacity Available

Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage

Dockside Crane

No

   

Container Gantries

No

   

Mobile Cranes

No

   

Reachstacker

Yes

3 x 45 MT

5 x 45 MT (new)

All operative and in reasonable condition

RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer)

No

   

Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines

No

   

Transtainer

Yes

 

Due to large quantities of fuel imported and vegetable oil exported port handles 200 transtainers / month

Forklifts

Yes

8 x

(range 3 –16MT)

 

Further information on operational port cargo handling equipment can be found in the following document:

Solomon Islands Port of Honeira Additional Information

Note: The information provided in the attached documents, which has been taken from the old DLCA, does not match the structure of the new LCA and is therefore provided separately.

Container Facilities

The port is accustomed to large volumes of containerised cargo, however it relies on shipboard cranes to unload containers to wharf. Containers can be unloaded by other means on Berth 2. Provided the ship is RoRo capable.

Facilities

20 ft

40 ft

Container Facilities Available

2,0000

1,000

Container Freight Station (CFS)

No

No

Refrigerated Container Stations

30

Other Capacity Details

-

-

Daily Take Off Capacity
(Containers per Day)

250

Number of Reefer Stations
(Connection Points)

30

Emergency Take-off Capacity

250

Off take Capacity of Gang Shift
(Containers per Shift)

100

Customs Guidance

 Customs officers at the port are available 24/7. Their offices are located adjacent to the wharf. There is no waiting time for customs on arrival and clearance of a vessel generally takes about 1 hour. There are no special protocols to follow, customs officials are generally honest and straightforward to deal with.

For more information on customs in Solomon Islands please see the following link: 1.3 Solomon Islands Customs Information

Terminal Information

Multipurpose Terminal

Berth #2 (see table ‘Berthing Specifications” above) is a multipurpose and can accommodate  

Grain and Bulk Handling

There is no specialised bulk grain handling facilities. Bulk grain is received containerised and trucked to the local mill in  container. There are no bagging companies in the Solomon Islands.

Main Storage Terminal

There are 2 covered warehouses in the wharf compound area owned by SIFA. They are generally 40% utilised climbing to 60% utilization over the peak period Dec-Jan

Storage Type

Number of Storage Facilities

Area (m2)

Bagged Cargo

2

280 m2

Refrigerated Cargo

None (reefers only)

 

General Cargo

As for bagged (above)

 

Storage Facillities

Managed by: Solomon Island Ports Authority

There is a free storage period of five days from the date of inward clearance of ship from which cargo is discharged. Thereafter there is a rising scale of storage charges starting at $3 (per tonne or cubic measurement) rising to $8.40 for 31 days or beyond. For goods in the bonded warehouse storage will be charged at 30c more per tonne than the above day rate.

 

Total floor space Quantity Floor Area (m2)
Main Quay Transit Sheds
2
140
Back of Port Transit Sheds
1
-
Lighterage Area Transit Sheds
n/a
-
Customs Warehouses
1
-

Stevedoring

Stevedoring is provided 7 days a week, 24 hours a day as required. It is managed by SIPA, they run 3 x 8 hour shifts with a 4th gang on standby.

Hinterland Information

There are 30-40 side-lifter trucks owned by companies and individual operators that move containerised goods from the port. This is adequate for current demand and will also be sufficient to meet surge requirements. There is ample supply of smaller trucks owned by individual operators for shifting break bulk goods.

Port Security

The Director Of Corporate Services is responsible for the management of the Port Security. Security is good and there have been no reported issues. Port is patrolled 24/7

Security

ISPS Compliant

Yes

Current ISPS Level
(Level 1 = Normal, Level 2 = Heightened, Level 3 = Exceptional)

1

Police Boats

No

Fire Engines

No

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