Tonga - 2.1.2 Port of Neiafu
Port Overview
Neiafu is the second-largest town in Tonga with a population of about 6,000. The port of Refuge is a deep-water harbour on the southern coast of Vava'u, the main island of the Vava'u archipelago in northern Tonga. Neiafu is the administrative centre of the Vava'u group and has government offices, banks, schools, a police station and a hospital. It is also an important centre for tourism with many yachts anchoring in the Port of Refuge. Queen Halaevalu Wharf is administered and operated by the Marine and Ports Division of the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Queen Halaevalu Wharf is in the Vava'u Group, the second largest group of islands in Tonga, situated in the SW Pacific Ocean.
General overview
Queen Halaevalu Wharf is the main activity centre of the port, handling passengers and domestic and international cargo for the outer island group. There is also a safe anchorage for large cruise liners that cannot reach the wharf.
Queen Halaevalu Wharf can handle international containers and cargo vessels only and domestic vessels. Tankers and LPG vessels are handled at Toula Terminal which is east of Queen Halaevalu Wharf.
The principal exports are copra and bananas.
Load line zone: South Pacific Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Apr 1 to Nov 30, Summer Dec 1 to Mar 31. Max size: LOA 120m, beam 20m and draught 7.0m.
Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com
Port Location and Contact |
|
---|---|
Country |
Tonga |
Province or District |
Vava’u |
Nearest Town or City with Distance from Port |
Neiafu. Adjacent to the port |
Port's Complete Name |
Port of Neiafu |
Latitude |
-18.6500 |
Longitude |
-173.9833 |
Managing Company or Port Authority
|
Marine and Ports Division, Ministry of Infrastructure |
Management Contact Person |
Fualapaha Fuavao, OIC Marine and Ports Vava’u |
Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures |
Airport Name: Lupepauʻu Airport International Flights: Fiji Airways direct from Nadi, Fiji or via Lulutai Airline from Fuamotu International Airport |
Port Picture
(Source: Google Earth- Airbus 11/05/2021)
Description and Contacts of Key Companies
Marine and Ports Division (MPD) under the Ministry of Infrastructure is responsible for overseeing and managing of Queen Halaevalu Wharf at Neiafu, Vava’u. It has been declared under Port Management Act, as the Government Wharf amongst others.
Queen Halaevalu Wharf is the second international port for Tonga and can cater for limited sizes and tonnage of vessels, including all domestic vessels calling Vava’u.
There is only one stevedoring company in Vava’u which is the Vava’u Shipping Services.
For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List
Port Performance
Queen Halaevalu Wharf’s maximum draft for the channel is 6.6m and recommended times for vessels to berth with draft over 6m is 1 hour before or after high tide (5.5m Low Water). Pilotage service is compulsory and the Pilot must board outside of the harbour limit, which is an imaginary line crossing from Lotuma Island to Teleki (part of Tu’anuku Village).
The Pilot boarding area is recommended to be at Faihava passage between Tu’ungasika and Luafatu Island if weather permits.
Average time from pilot boarding to berthing is 1 hour.
Seasonal Constraints
|
Occurs |
Time Frame |
---|---|---|
Rainy Season |
No |
N/A |
Major Import Campaigns |
No |
N/A |
Other Comments |
Small port with no handling facilities |
Handling Figures for 2022 |
|
---|---|
Vessel Calls |
12 for international vessels and 20 for domestic vessels (maximum per year) |
Container Traffic (TEUs) |
220 TEUS |
Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk for 2022 |
|
---|---|
Bulk (MT) |
No |
Break bulk (MT) |
No |
Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges
For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link: https://www.portsauthoritytonga.com/publications-download/file/31-4-ports-authority-tariff-fees-dec20131
Berthing Specifications
Type of Berth |
Quantity |
Length (m) |
Maximum Draft (m) |
Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
Conventional Berth |
- |
- |
- |
Pier depth 8.1 m – 10.1 m |
Container Berth |
1 |
65 m |
6.6 |
This is the only international berth in the port of Neiafu Pier depth 7.1 m – 9.1 m |
Silo Berth |
No |
- |
- |
- |
Berthing Tugs |
No |
- |
- |
- |
Water Barges |
No |
- |
- |
- |
Additional information source https://shipnext.com/port/neiafu-vavau-tonei-ton
General Cargo Handling Berths
Cargo Type |
Berth Identification |
---|---|
Imports - Bagged Cargo |
No |
Exports - Bagged Cargo |
No |
Imports and Exports - RoRo |
No |
Other Imports |
No |
Port Handling Equipment
There are two forklifts at the wharf which is owned by the Stevedoring Company. One forklift is 3.5 tons and the other is 7 tons.
Equipment |
Available
|
Total Quantity and Capacity Available |
Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage |
---|---|---|---|
Dockside Crane |
No |
- |
- |
Container Gantries |
No |
- |
- |
Mobile Cranes |
No |
- |
- |
Reachstacker |
No |
- |
- |
RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer) |
No |
- |
- |
Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines |
No |
- |
- |
Transtainer |
No |
- |
- |
Forklifts |
Yes |
1 |
3-5 mt |
Container Facilities
There are no cranes onsite. The side lifters of the container truck are used for the movement of containers inside and outside the wharf.
Facilities |
20 ft |
40 ft |
---|---|---|
Container Facilities Available |
Yes |
Yes |
Container Freight Station (CFS) |
No |
No |
Refrigerated Container Stations |
Yes |
Yes |
Other Capacity Details |
N/A |
N/A |
Daily Take Off Capacity |
N/A |
N/A |
Number of Reefer Stations |
One |
One |
Emergency Take-off Capacity |
N/A |
N/A |
Off take Capacity of Gang Shift |
N/A |
N/A |
Customs Guidance
Customs are on hand for all arrivals when notified prior by MPD. They are generally efficient and effective in executing their duties.
For more information on customs in Tonga, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information
Terminal Information
MULTIPURPOSE TERMINAL
There is no multipurpose terminal facility.
GRAIN AND BULK HANDLING
There are no grain and bulk handling facilities.
MAIN STORAGE TERMINAL
There are no storage facilities Customs may be able to provide minimal short-term storage in their shed. (100 m2))
Storage Type |
Number of Storage Facilities |
Area (m2) |
---|---|---|
Bagged Cargo |
N/A |
N/A |
Refrigerated Cargo |
N/A |
N/A |
General Cargo |
N/A |
N/A |
Stevedoring
There is only one stevedoring company at the wharf which is the Vava’u Shipping Services. The company has two forklifts to assist during operations. Vessels with cranes and forklifts onboard can assist from board to dockside.
Hinterland Information
There are two side-lifters - one is 20ft and belongs to the Guttenbeil Transport and the second which belongs to Lavulavu Quarry is 40ft. They are both available to assist during operations at the wharf.
Port Security
Port is fenced with 24/7 gatehouse security. No history of security issues.
Security |
|
---|---|
ISPS Compliant |
Yes |
Current ISPS Level |
1 |
Pilot Boat |
1 |
Fire Stations |
300m from the wharf |