Kiribati
2.1.1 Kiribati Port of Betio

Port Overview 

The port operates as a main port-of-entry for all imports to Kiribati (with the exception of some imports to Phoenix and Line Islands via Navy Harbour) and is a transhipment port to smaller coastal shipping which services the outer Islands. The port is capable of dealing with current volumes and appears to be operating safely and efficiently under the direction of the Kiribati Ports Authority (KPA). Loading and unloading facilities are limited to using ship's own cranes at dockside and moving containers to storage areas using truck and trailers. The port area is secure.

Port website: http://ports.com/kiribati/port-of-betio-tarawa-atoll/

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

 

Proposed Capital Works/Expenditure

 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

 

Forecast

TARAWA

2018

2019

2020

TA for Engineering

 

 

 

Low bed flat trailer (Mafi)

150,000

 

 

Yard Concrete Pavement

1,500,000

495,711

 

Inventory Database

5,000

 

 

New Buoy/Navigation mark

 

 

 

Solar PV Grid & LED lighting

200,000

300,000

 

Teeitei Suzuki O/B Engine Engine x 2

70,000

 

 

Engineering workshop & relocation

100,000

 

 

Oxygen refill plant

50,000

 

 

Fire main/system - Phase 2

                        -  

 

 

Portable Fire Fighter Equipment

30,000

 

 

VTIS System

                        -  

 

 

Prime Mover

 

160,000

 

Office Upgrading

30,000

30,000

 

Reach Stacker

 

1,000,000

 

Top Lifter

 

 

850,000

Other

 

55,000

200,000

Total

2,135,000

2,040,711

1,050,000

       


 

Port Location and Contact

Country

Kiribati

Province or District

South Tarawa

Nearest Town or City

with Distance from Port

Betio

200m

Port's Complete Name

Port of Betio

Latitude

1.36222222

Longitude

172.93138889

Managing Company or Port Authority

Kiribati Ports Authority

Management Contact Person

Ruata Titaake (CEO) ruatit@gmail.com

Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures

Bonriki

Fiji Airways

 

 

Port Picture

 

A Slipway & berthing for domestic coastal shipping 

B Main Wharf for discharge and loading cargo (container and bulk) 

C Berthing for fishing and coastal shipping vessel

D Container storage area 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies 

The Port is managed and maintained by the Kiribati Ports Authority  (KPA), a statutory body established in 2000 under KPA Act 1990 and operating under the direction of Board Directors appointed by the Minister of Communication, Transport and Tourism. Wholly owned by the Government, it currently employs 158 employees.

The KPA is responsible for all stevedoring activities, security, surveys of vessels, shipping channels, and navigation aids, regulating and controlling navigation within the ports, communications and harbor control.

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List  

Port Performance 

The maximum channel draft at high tide is 11 metres and maximum berthing draft at the main and only international cargo wharf is 8 metres. Maximum berthing ship’s length is 200 metres. 

The maximum weight for containers loading or unloading at the wharf is 25 mt.  

The port is rarely congested with shipping, although container storage is limited to around 600 x 20 foot containers and 400 x 40 foot containers at any one time.  

There is no standing priority for humanitarian cargoes however these will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  

Waiting time to berth is generally no more than 1 hour, if not immediate and delays due to bad weather are rare (less than 1 per year).

 

Seasonal Constraints

 

Occurs

Time Frame

Rainy Season

  No

n/a

Major Import Campaigns

  No

Major construction projects, whilst rare, can result in short term congestion of container storage.

Other Comments

 

HANDLING FIGURES for 2017

Vessel Calls

445 (70 container)

(14 tanker)

Container Traffic (TEUs)

3,787 TEU discharged

685 TEU loaded

Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk for 2017

Bulk (MT)

0

Break bulk (MT)

328 (Excluding Containers)

Months in 2017

Jan - Dec

 

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

TEU $200/20 foot container

$300/40 foot container

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link: PORT RATES/TARIFFS PAGE  

Berthing Specifications

 

Type of Berth

Quantity

Length

(m)

Maximum

Draft (m)

Comments

Conventional Berth

Container Berth

1

200

8

There is only one cargo berth.

Silo Berth

N/a

N/a

N/a

N/a

Berthing Tugs

2

25

6

 Located in the ‘basin’ domestic wharf.

Water Barges

3

15

6

 

General Cargo Handling Berths

Cargo Type

Berth Identification

Imports - Bagged Cargo

There is main berth only

Exports - Bagged Cargo

Imports and Exports - RoRo

N/a

Other Imports

 

Port Handling Equipment

The handling equipment is owned and operated by the government run KPA. Shipboard cranes are used for loading and unloading containers dockside.

 

Equipment

Available

Total Quantity and Capacity Available

Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage

Dockside Crane

No

   

Container Gantries

No

   

Mobile Cranes

Yes

50 mt

Good. Used for stacking in storage area.

Reach stacker

Yes

40 mt

Good. Used for stacking and movements in storage area.

RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer)

No

   

Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines

No

   

Transtainer

No

   

Forklifts

Yes

1 x 30 mt

4 x 7 mt

2 x 2 mt

All good to fair condition.

 

Container Facilities 

 Container facilities consist of open, flat storage area within the port security perimeter.

Facilities

20 ft

40 ft

Container Facilities Available

600

200 - 300

Container Freight Station (CFS)

0

0

Refrigerated Container Stations

8

Other Capacity Details

n/a

n/a

Daily Take Off Capacity
(Containers per Day)

200/day

(12 – 15/hr)

200/day

(12-15/hr)

Number of Reefer Stations
(Connection Points)

8

Emergency Take-off Capacity

12-15/hr

12-15/hr

Off take Capacity of Gang Shift
(Containers per Shift)

100-120

 

Customs Guidance 

Customs are available at port during port working hours. They have offices within the port perimeter. Clearance is usually immediate and there are no particular issues with customs officials or procedures. Clearance can often be done in advance of berthing.  

For more information on customs in  Kiribati, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information  

Terminal Information

Multipurpose Terminal 

As previously documented above, there is one berth that is used for all cargo.

Grain and Bulk Handling 

There is no facility for grain or bulk handling discharge at this port.

Main Storage Terminal 

There is one, closed shed for storage (approx. 60m2 of which generally 40% is available). All other storage requires containers.

Storage Type

Number of Storage Facilities

Area (m2)

Bagged Cargo

1

 

60

General Cargo

Refrigerated Cargo

n/a

n/a

 

Stevedoring 

Kiribati Port Authority (KPA) provides stevedoring services.  KPA hire a mix of permanent and casual labour as and when required. There is no shortage of labour available for this purpose. 

Hinterland Information 

KPA operate 3 x 20 feet containers capable side lifters with trailers and 1 x 40 foot container capable side lifter with trailer.  There are another 3 - 4 side lifter trucks available operated by private companies (Onestop Ltd, Coral Ace Ltd, Punjas Ltd). Between them, these trucks are responsible for majority of transport to areas in South Tarawa accessible by road.

 

Port Security 

The port is securely fenced and manned by security staff 24/7. There are no obvious security or safety issues. There is a project underway to resurface all paved areas within the port perimeter that will add to safety for foot and vehicular traffic. This is due for completion 2019. 

  

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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