3 Solomon Islands Logistics Services

Generally all services that might be required by an agency are available in the Solomon Islands There is a range of quality and skill sets available, the top tier are of international standard. Services are largely confined to the capital Honiara and to a lesser extent Auki, on the island of Malaita. The many smaller islands and the less populated have few services and rely on water transportation of required services from Honiara. There can be disruption to all and any services due to weather extremes experienced during the cyclone season (Nov – Apr) that result in interrupted shipping schedules, both international and interisland. These supply issues are generally of a short term nature (less than a month)

Telecommunications, Power Generation, Water (Honiara), Aviation and Port facilities are SOE’s. Private company involvement is largely confined to food and retail rather than the major infrastructure sector. There has been and continues to be, on-going support for infrastructure projects from foreign governments and aid agencies, notably, NZ, Australia,.China and Japan.

3.1 Solomon Islands Fuel

There are fuel deliveries approximately every month. The ships can offload fuel in Honiara and Noro Port through the use of submarine pipes. There are two depots in Honiara that are operated by agents of the two fuel importers. Total storage capacity is 17.6 mil L. (SPO 12 mil L., Markwarth 5.6 mil L)

The two companies – South Pacific Oil (SPO) and Markwarth Oil Ltd import all the fuel into the Solomon Islands. SPO purchased Shell Pacific’s business and assets in the Solomon Islands in 2006. It is 100% owned by the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund, importing over 85 million litres of petroleum annually. Markwarth Oil Ltd has an affiliation with Mobile. Both companies supply the airport with aviation Jet A-1 fuel

Fuel is imported via the Singapore and Korean markets and It is unusual for there to be interruptions in supply, If there is a delay in a ships arrival into the Solomon Islands then there can be some short term issues, however the 2 companies will cooperate to share resource. There have been instances where the fuel importing companies have rationed fuel when supply has gotten low. This is particularly important for the supply to the SIEA (Solomon Island Electrical Authority) as diesel generators generate the majority of electricity.

For more information on government and fuel provider contact details, please see the following links: 4.1 Solomon Islands Government Contact List and 4.7 Solomon Islands Fuel Provider Contact List

Information may also be found at: http://www.mytravelcost.com/petrol-prices/, which is updated monthly.

Fuel Pricing

The Price Control Unit that sits within the Ministry of Trade and Commerce regulates the pricing of fuel. There are shipments of fuel approximately every month. When a shipment arrives the Price Control Unit assesses the current situation and sets the price that fuel will be sold by Markwarth and South Pacific Oil to its distributors.

The price of fuel is often significantly increased once it has been purchased, transported and sold on to the public. For instance fuel on outer islands can be over 20 SBD a litre.

15% Goods Service Tax is included in fuel prices

Prices below quoted by Markwarth Oil Ltd.

Fuel Prices per Litre as of: 01 012 2016 *(Price purchased in 200L drum, local currency and* *USD - $)*
Petrol	SBD $ 6.82 US $ 0.77
Diesel	SBD $ 6.72 US $ 0.86
Paraffin	SBD $ 6.30 US $ 0.81
Jet A-1	SBD $ 18.24 US $ 2.32

Seasonal Variations

There are no seasonal variations.

Seasonal Variations
Are there national priorities in the availability of fuel? (i.e. are there restrictions or priorities for the provision of fuel such as to the military?)	No
Is there a rationing system?	No*
Is fuel to lower income / vulnerable groups subsidized?	No
Can the local industry expand fuel supply to meet humanitarian needs?	Yes
Is it possible for a humanitarian organization to directly contract a reputable supplier / distributor to provide its fuel needs?	Yes

*There is no rationing system but if fuel levels get low the fuel companies may choose to ration and prioritise fuel sales to ensure that agencies such as SIEA have fuel to generate power.

Fuel Transportation

There are tanker trucks on Guadalcanal (155,000L total carrying capacity) that can transport fuel to areas that are accessible by road but most of the movement of fuel is done in drums on boats and all fuel to the outer islands is transported via boat in 200 litre drums

There is no shortage of barrels and pumps in the country to transport fuel via boat.

The transportation infrastructure and fleet are sufficient to handle current domestic needs as well as increased demand from the humanitarian community.

Standards, Quality and Testing

The 2 major fuel importers have their own fuel testing laboratories for monitoring the quality of imported fuels. They operate to international (Australian and US) Standards.

Industry Control Measures
Do tanks have adequate protection against water mixing with the fuel?	Yes
Are there filters in the system which monitor where fuel is loaded into aircraft?	Yes
Is there adequate epoxy coating of tanks on trucks?	Yes
Is there a presence of suitable firefighting equipment?	Yes

Standards Authority
Is there a national or regional standards authority?	No
If yes, please identify the appropriate national and/or regional authority.	National: Based on Australian and US standards
If yes, are the standards adequate/properly enforced?	Yes

Testing Laboratories
Are there national testing laboratories?	Yes

Fuel Quality Testing Laboratory
Company	Markwarth Oil ltd
Name	Markwarth Oil ltd
Address	Point Cruz, Honiara
Telephone and Fax	Tel. 22374 Fax. 23275
Contact
Standards Used	Australian Institute Of Petroleum (AIP) American Standard Testing Method (ASTM)

Fuel Quality Testing Laboratory
Company	South Pacific Oil Ltd
Name	South Pacific Oil Ltd
Address	Level 4, NFP Bldg., Mandan Avenue
Telephone and Fax	Tel. 7497644 Fax. 61078
Contact	Miriam Poznanski
Standards Used	Australian Institute Of Petroleum (AIP) American Standard Testing Method (ASTM)

Further information on Fuel Supply and Storage, Fuel Marketing and Local Distribution, Fuel Supply and Fuel Demand can be found in the following document:

Solomon Fuel 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.

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.

3.2 Solomon Islands Transporters

Most transport in the Solomon Islands is done via boat. The majority of the roads in the Solomon Islands are located in Guadacanal and Malaita. Honiara has several trucking companies that have limited assets but most transport is done by single truck owners rather than larger companies.

There are over 30 side lifter trucks available for container movement and greater numbers of 3 – 5 ton owner operator trucks available for day hire. There are no issues with unions.

The outer islands are much more limited for road transport as there are few roads. Front loading coastal vessels and local jetties are the norm for transportation of goods and passengers.

The current capacity meets domestic needs. If there were a requirement for extra capacity to accommodate an influx demand from the humanitarian community, private operators would be available to meet demand.

Because the country is an Island Nation the question of using foreign operators is not relevant

For more information on transport company contact details, please see the following link: 4.8 Solomon Islands Transporter Contact List

Solomon Steel Transport Capacity Summary
Regions Covered	Guadalcanal
	Number of Vehicles	Capacity per Vehicle (MT)	Comments / Condition of Vehicles
Side lifter	1	40’/20’ container	Good
Heavy Transporter	1	50 MT	Good
Ready mix cement	2	18 MT (6m³)	Good
Open truck	4	24 MT	Good
Open truck	4	3 MT	Good
Total Capacity		180 MT

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.

3.3 Solomon Islands Manual Labour

There are a number of trade unions in the Solomon islands, the largest of which is the Solomon Islands National Union of Workers. Negotations between workers’s unions and employers are how salary increases are generally negotiated. Unions membership is not compulsory. The Unions are not militant and ther is no recent history of industrial actions

Labour and employment legislation is overseen by the department of Commerce, Industry and Employment. This legislation governs minimum wages, sick and maternity pay, leave, redundancy, disputes and contracts of employment. Casual day- labour is readily available.

A shortage of skilled labour exists, however as the majority of the labour workforce is engaged in subsistance agriculture and fishing, if a surge in labour is required as a result of a large scale humanitarian operation, manual labourers will be readily available in all the provinces, many of whom will be volunteers or willing to work for food and a token payment.

Labour Rate(s) Overview
	Cost (Local Currency & USD - $) Rate as of November 2016
Daily General Worker (Unskilled casual labour)	SBD 100 – USD 13
Daily General Worker (Semi-skilled labour)	SBD 300 – USD 39
Daily Skilled Worker	SBD 500 – USD 64

3.4 Solomon Islands Telecommunications

Telecommunications is not strongly regulated in the Solomon’s. The regulator is Telecommunications Commission of Solomon Islands (TCSI).

Our Telekom is the primary telecoms operator, owned by SINPF, BMobile beat Digicel in tendering to be the second operator in the duopoly since 2010 and has been operating as a secondary mobile carrier.

Independent ISPs exist – SatSOL and Hantek are the two operators who sell Internet bandwidth.

The RSIPF has their own radio network that is managed by themselves with aid from the AFP, and the NDMO recently had a CODAN HF system installed as part of a donor project from the World Bank.

For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.9 Solomon Islands Additional Service Provision Contact List

Telephone Services
Is there an existing landline telephone network?	Yes
Does it allow international calls?	Yes
Number and Length of Downtime Periods (on average)	Generally very reliable
Mobile Phone Providers	Our Telekom, BMobile
Approximate Percentage of National Coverage	40% by land mass-90% by population

Telecommunication Regulation

Telecommunications regulations in the Solomon Islands controlled by TCSI but very loosely enforced. Unlicensed radios are frequently in use but no action is taken by the authority to keep the spectrum well managed

Regulations on Usage and Import
	Regulations in Place?	Regulating Authority
Satellite	No	TCSI
HF Radio	Yes	TCSI
UHF/VHF/HF Radio: Handheld, Base and Mobile	Yes	TCSI
UHF/VHF Repeaters	Yes	TCSI
GPS	No	TCSI
VSAT	No	TCSI
Individual Network Operator Licenses Required
Yes
Frequency Licenses Required
Yes

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

Satellite phones and cell phones are the only means of communication used by UN agencies in the Solomon Islands now.

	UNDP	UNDSS	UNFPA
VHF Frequencies	No	No	No
HF Frequencies	No	No	No
Locations of Repeaters	No	No	No
VSAT	No	No	No

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

Internet is available but is extremely slow as the country is still not connected to the Pacific fibre network. This should happen later in 2017 but the connection is politicised and is likely to be a second-rate service. Currently the internet is via satellite – including the O3B network. Our Telekom offers broadband and Wireless data, SatSOL and Hantek offer mobile Wi-Fi AP and dedicated CPE connections.

Internet Service Providers
Are there ISPs available?	Yes
If yes, are they privately or government owned?	Private
Dial-up only?	No
Approximate Rates *(local currency and* *USD - $)*	Dial-up	$50 per month
	Broadband	$100 per month
Max Leasable ‘Dedicated’ Bandwidth	Unknown

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)

The networks are more reliable these days but still would experience around six hours of outages in a week.

Coverage is good but the cost is high on both operators

For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.

Company

Number of Agent Outlets by Area

Network Strength by Area

Contracted for Humanitarian or Government Cash Transfer

Programmes?

Services Offered

(i.e. Merchant Payment,

Bulk Disbursement,

Receive & Make Payment)

Our Telekom

Many in Honiara

Good in Honiara and major cities

No (for all)

Unknown

BeMobile

A few in Honiara

Some in Honiara and outer villages

Unknown

Our Telekom coverage as at November 2016 shown below

3.5 Solomon Islands Food and Additional Suppliers

Of 2014 total exports (US$ 646 mil.) 70% rough timber 70% of value of total exports were to China

Of 2015 total Imports (US$ 440 mil.) 25% petroleum, oils etc., 9% rice, 4% foodstuffs. Share of imports from Australia 27%, share from Singapore 26%

Most necessary products can be procured on the local market. There are a number of competing importers and retailers that meet local demand. They have the ability to scale up if required to meet increased or surge demand.

In general, local produce can feed the local demand at a basic level, most households have gardens and access to livestock or fish that will sustain them even in the aftermath of natural disasters, this is particularly relevant in the provinces and outer islands where food security is not an issue.

It should be noted that although Solomon Islands imports quite large quantities of food, this is for variety not survival.

There are no major manufacturing or production capabilities in the country.

Generic country information can be located from sources that are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures. For a general overview of country data related to the service and supply sectors, please consult the following sources:

The Observatory of Economic Complexity – MIT (OEC): atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/slb/

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.

3.5.1 Solomon Islands Food Suppliers

Main Food Suppliers
Retail Sector
Wholesale – Central Developments Ltd

Main Food Suppliers

The staples of the Solomon Islands include root crops (taro, yams, sweet potato and cassava) and rice. Bread is also eaten but grain and flour are imported. Canned meat and fish are popular and fresh fish and other seafood is available. There is a wide variety of tropical fruits as well as vegetables available from local markets.

There are a number of stores/companies that import and sell goods. Much of what is sold in the supermarkets/shops is imported. Most of these stores are able to supply the staples. As there is a reliance on imported goods, obviously any break in the supply chain can result in shortages of certain items. There have been times when certain items, such as rice have run out.

Solomon Islands does not have a food security issue.

Additional information can be located from sources which are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures. For more specific and detailed overviews of food availability and market conditions, please consult the following sources:

WFP Vulnerability and Analysis Mapping (VAM): INSERT a link directly to the VAM country page if available (http://vam.wfp.org/) Not available

USAID Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET): INSERT a link directly to the FEWS NET country page if available (http://www.fews.net/) Not available

For more information on food supplier contact details, please see the following link: HQ staff will input a link to section 4.10 Supplier Contact List here.

Retail Sector

There is a robust retail sector in Honiara supplying all basic items to the market. Supplies are imported principally from NZ, Australia and China. Whilst there are no global retailers present, global brands are. Wholesale importers often have retail outlets direct to the public.

Credit is generally not used by / or offered to, all locals. It is available to larger recognised entities (i.e Humanitarian agencies)

Types of Retailers Available
Type of Retailer	Rank (1-5)
Supermarket – concentrates mainly in supplying a range of food, beverage, cleaning and sanitation products; have significant purchasing power; are often part of national/regional/global chains.	2
Convenience Store/Mini Market – medium sized shop; offers a more limited range of products than supermarkets; usually has good/stable purchasing power; may be part of chain or cooperative.	3
Permanent shop with strong supply capacity – individually/family owned store; usually offers fewer commodities and a limited selection of brands; good storage and reliable supply options.	1
Permanent shop with limited supply capacity – individually/family owned store; offers fewer commodities and a limited selection of brands; limited storage and unstable supply options.	5
Mobile Shop/Market Stand – individually/family owned store; usually offers fewer commodities and a limited selection of brands; may be found at outdoor markets, camps or unstable environments.	4

Note: The above table relates to Honiara. in outer and smaller islands supply will be predominantly market and small stores/stalls. They are largely self sufficient for food

There are a number of wholesalers/retailers in Honiara.

All and every food product can be sourced and supplied by these merchants. They are generally of Chinese ethnicity and have been running their businesses as family concerns for several generations. They have their own storage facilities and capacity to transport to wharf side, they then use the local coastal shipping facilities to transport goods to small outer island retailers.

For more information on food supplier contact details, please see the following link: HQ staff will input a link to section 4.10 Supplier Contact List here.

Wholesale – Central Developments Ltd

Supplier Overview
Company Name	Central Developments Ltd
Address	Old Chinatown
Does the supplier have its own production / manufacturing capacity?	No
Does the supplier have its own retail capacity?	Yes. Can supply direct to the public
Does the supplier have its own transport capacity?	Yes
Does the supplier have its own storage facilities?	Yes
Approximate Turnover in MT	Figures not available
Payment Methods Accepted	Cash, credit card, credit by prior arrangement
Other Comments or Key Information

Honiara based only.

Other Locations
Region(s)	Service Location(s)
No	N/A

Primary Goods / Commodities Available
Commodities by Type** (SITC Rev 4 Division Code - Title)		Comments
00 - Live animals (other than fish, crustaceans, molluscs, etc.)	No	Imported. No limitations on availability or season or variations
01 - Meat and meat preparations	Meat. Sausage. (Frozen)	Imported. No limitations on availability or season or variations
02 - Dairy products and birds’ eggs	UHP or powdered milk	Imported. No limitations on availability or season or variations
03 - Fish (not marine mammals), crustaceans, molluscs…	Canned fish	Imported. No limitations on availability or season or variations
04 - Cereals and cereal preparations	Wheat, rice, flour of maize, pasta.	Imported. No limitations on availability or season or variations
05 - Vegetables and fruit	Fruit , vegetables ,Nuts, jams/jellies, fruit juices	Imported. No limitations on availability or season or variations. Also fresh local fruit and vegetables
06 - Sugars, sugar preparations and honey	Sugars (beet or cane) raw, natural honey, fruit/nuts preserved by sugar …	Imported. No limitations on availability or season or variations
07 - Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof	Coffee, cocoa, chocolate, tea, mate, pepper, all spices	Imported. No limitations on availability or season or variations
09 - Miscellaneous edible products and preparations	Ready-to-eat foods, margarine, sauces, soups and broths, yeasts, soft drinks	Imported. No limitations on availability or season or variations
41 - Animal oils and fats	Lard, fats and oils…	Imported. No limitations on availability or season or variations
42/43 - Fixed vegetable fats and oils, crude, refined or fractionated	Soya bean oil, olive oil, maize oil, vegetable oil	Imported. No limitations on availability or season or variations

**For non-FOOD products please see section 3.5.2 Additional Suppliers, and for FUEL/PETROLEUM products please see section 3.1 Fuel.

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.

3.5.2 Solomon Islands Additional Suppliers

Overview

There is no manufacturing or local production in the Solomon Islands. Wholesalers in this country operate a little above retail level and generally in smaller household type commodities to the level of mid size hardware stores. Items such as tents, office equipment, water pumps, pipes tools etc are all available in Honiara but in limited quantities. Very few of these items are available outside the capital Honiara.

All goods are imported via sea or air transport. Closest major trading partners are Australia and New Zealand.

There are no suppliers present for local purchase/procurement at the manufacturing/production and wholesale levels

For more information on suppliers’ contact details, please see the following link: 4.9 Solomon Islands Additional Service Provision Contact List

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.

3.6 Solomon Islands Additional Services

Overview
Accommodation
Electricity and Power
Financial Service Providers
- ANZ Bank
- Bank Of the South Pacific
Clearing and Forwarding Agents
Handling Equipment
Postal and Courier Services
Printing and Publishing
Taxi Companies
Vehicle Rental
Waste Management and Disposal Services
- Waste Disposal Non-Hazardous
- Waste Disposal Non-Hazardous

Overview

Generally most services that may be required for an agency’s immediate program support needs are available.

Up to date technology and training has been imported from Australia and NZ.

HOWEVER IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT IN PAST EMERGENCIES SOME ISSUES HAVE ARISEN WITH THE FOLLOWING SERVICES;

Cash

- ATM machines run out of cash, banks may not open and in cash based economy it will be necessary to bring sufficient cash to pay for labour and many other services as required.

2. Fuel Priority

- To ensure access to limited fuel supplies priority needs to be obtained from Ministry of Infrastructure, Works.

3. Phone access

- a direct contact may be required with the Telco’s to obtain top-ups for aid workers’ telephones as top up shops may not be open/available.

For more information on company contact details, please see the following link: 2.2.1 Solomon Islands Additional Service Provision Contact List

Accommodation

There is a variety of accommodation available in Honiara and bigger centres such as Gizo. In smaller towns there are guesthouse rooms available for short and long term stays.Standards vary to suit all reguirements from backpacker to 3 star. Thre are also a number of apartments for longer term rental in Honiara. There is capacity for surge requirements.

Electricity and Power

Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA) trading, as Solomon Power is a state owned enterprise responsible for generation and distribution of supply and the operation, maintenance and development of assets necessary to achieve this.

Reliable and low cost power generation in Solomon Islands is a major challenge, especially given the heavy reliance on diesel plants for power generation. Blackouts are quite common and while many businesses and Government offices rely on standby generators, many small businesses, homes and most micro-enterprises are unable to afford this option (Official 2015 figures for Honiara state interuptions av. 2/yr at an av.74 minutes/interuption). Prolonged generator downtimes were experienced at Gizo, Auki, Noro/ Munda and Buala

Most households in Solomon Islands do not have access to electricity. By the end of 2015, Solomon Power had a total of 15,471 customers in ten locations; Honiara, Auki, Buala, Gizo, Kirakira, Lata, Malu’u, Munda, Noro and Tulagi with the majority based in the capital Honiara, followed by the three bigger provincial Outstations; Auki, Gizo and Noro. Of the smaller Outstations, Munda has more customers over Buala, Kirakira, Lata, Malu’u and Tulagi. Growth and development is ongoing with an emphisis on renewable sources (hydro and solar)

Prolonged generator downtimes were experienced at Gizo, Auki, Noro/ Munda and Buala

Production Unit	Type	Installed Capacity (MW)	Current Production (MW)
Lungga/Honiara	3 x Diesel	29.8(MW)	15(MW)
Noro/Munda	Diesel	2.4(MW)	500(KW)
Munda	Diesel		300 (KW)
Gizo	Diesel	1,500(KW)	400(KW)
Tulagi	Diesel	240(KW)	70(KW)
Buala	Diesel	400(KW)	70(KW)
Auki	Diesel	1000(KW)	400(KW)
Kirakira	Diesel	200(KW)	60(KW)
Lata	Diesel	240(KW)	60(KW)
Malu’u	Diesel	160(KW)	25(KW)
Seghe	Hybrid Solar diesel	80(KW)	15(KW)
Taro	Diesel	170(KW)	60(KW)

Financial Service Providers

There are major international banking institutions (Bank of the Pacific and ANZ Bank) in Honiara providing full international banking and financial services. ANZ has also has branches in Auki, Malaita Province and Gizo

ANZ Bank

ANZ is a full service retail and commercial bank that offers comprehensive products and services for individuals as well as businesses. Publicly listed company.

Company Overview
Company Name	ANZ Bank
Address	ANZ Haus. Mendana Av. Honiara
	Available?	Comments *(max / min transfer or exchange amounts, etc.)*
Has IBAN, BIC, or SWIFT number?	Yes	SWIFT ANZBSBSB
Provides currency exchange?	Yes
Will initiate / receive wire transfers?	Yes
Provides Loan / Credit services?	Yes
Other Comments or Key Information	Corporate, Commercial, Small Business, Markets/International Trade Services, Priority Banking, Retail and Rural Banking Services. 4 Branches, 14 ATM’s

Basic details for the main office should be shown here, additional contact details for local/regional offices and full contact details for the main office to be included in 4.11 Additional Services Contact List.

Other Locations
Region(s)	Service Location(s)
Auki, Malaita Province	Auki Main Rd
Gizo	Midden Way Rd

Bank Of the South Pacific

Offers Premium Banking Services Centres in all major towns in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Solomon Islands. Publicly listed company.

Company Overview
Company Name	Bank Of the South Pacific (BSP)
Address	National Provident Fund Building Mendana Av. Honiara
	Available?	Comments *(max / min transfer or exchange amounts, etc.)*
Has IBAN, BIC, or SWIFT number?	Yes	SWIFT BOSPSBSB
Provides currency exchange?	Yes
Will initiate / receive wire transfers?	Yes
Provides Loan / Credit services?	Yes
Other Comments or Key Information	Corporate, Commercial, Small Business, Markets/International Trade Services, Priority Banking, Retail Banking Services. Operate as service branch for Westpac Bank customers

*Basic details for the main office should be shown here, additional contact details for local/regional offices and full contact details for the main office to be included in 4.11 Additional Services Contact List.

Clearing and Forwarding Agents

There are a number of companies that do freight forwarding, most of which also have warehousing and do customs clearance. Service is good as there are multi national companies and they are accustomed to large volumes of imported goods through the port and airport of the Solomon Islands.

Handling Equipment

There are a number of suppliers of handling equipment in Honiara for purchase or rental. Equipment of reasonable standard can be found including mobile cranes (5 – 50 MT), side-lifter trucks and forklifts. There is also a range of road construction heavy equipment available.

There is no ready supply of pallets. Any large quantity required would need to be imported.

Postal and Courier Services

The Solomon Islands Postal Corporation is an SOE formed to carry on any business or activity relating to Postal Services, it is controlled by a board of governors, regulated by the Ministry Of Finance.The servive is reliable and efficient. In addition to the SOE there are a number of international courier companies operating. Whilst service to the smaller outer islands is reliant on coastal vessel transport. service to Honiara is to international efficiency standards

Printing and Publishing

There are a number of printing companies in Honiara providing graphic design and printing services, both digital and offset.

Taxi Companies

Taxis are plentiful in Gizo, Auki and Honiara but are less available elsewhere. The standard rate for taxis in Honiara is approximately SBD$ 10 per kilometre (US$ .080) but for longer trips a rate can be negotiated before commencing the journey. You are also able to hire taxis by the hour at a rate of SBD$ 60 - SBD$ 80 Taxi transport is reliable and safe.

Vehicle Rental

There are a number of car rental organisations in the Solomon Islands providing cars vans and trucks but most only service Guadalcanal. If you require a car in other parts of the Solomon Islands it is possible to rent taxis with drivers when you arrive or make arrangements with vehicle owners to rent private vehicles. An organization can reasonably expect to meet their initial needs through renting.

Waste Management and Disposal Services

The Honiara City Council (HCC) Environmental Health Division is responsible for collecting household waste within Honiara City and transporting it to the Ranadi dump It is estimated that 20 to 30 tons

of solid waste is disposed of daily at the dumpsite. Access to the site is unrestricted. A simple drainage system to capture leachate and a small settling and digestion pond has been installed.

Less than half of Honiara City’s population is provided with waste collection services much of the Honiara urban area’s waste is improperly disposed of through open burning and illegal dumping. Poor solid waste management practices were linked to a severe outbreak of dengue fever in Honiara in 2013. There is no segregation of wastes, such as green waste or recyclables, which are mixed into the general waste stream. At least three private recycling companies operate in and around Honiara, however they concentrate exclusively on metals.

Outside of Honiara there is no waste collection or formal waste management . Most waste is therefore improperly disposed of through open burning and illegal dumping

Waste Disposal Non-Hazardous

All waste that is disposed of in a managed manner is carried to Ranadi dumpsite, which is located 6 kilometres from Honiara city, on what was once a wetland sited behind the sand berm that formed the nearby beach. Otherwise waste is improperly disposed of through open burning and illegal dumping.

Waste Disposal Non-Hazardous

There are no enforced, sound procedures and practices for the disposal of hazardous waste. It is dumped to landfill with the general waste stream

Approximately 25,000 households in Honiara have reticulated wastewater disposal. It is pumped raw to sea outfall. Where there is no reticulated system, septic tank waste is disposed of in a similar manner.

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.