Tonga - 2.1.1 Port of Nuku'alofa
Port Overview
One international container and general cargo terminal at Nuku’alofa and some domestic wharves serving inter-island ferries. The main port at Nuku’alofa was corporatized in 1999, as a statutory authority. Facilities for international shipping are in generally good condition.
Nuku’alofa harbour is the only deep-water harbour of the islands; it is the central hub for boats to the outer islands. There are usually two boats to ʻEua each day, and two to Haʻapai and Vavaʻu each week. In addition to these regular services by shipping companies, private boat owners provide less regular services to smaller islands such as Nomuka and ʻEueiki.
Nuku’alofa port is a fairly deep harbour basin of approximately 3 by 10 kilometers surrounded by fringing reefs. There are two main channels into the alongside berth, one from the north available to all vessels and the other from the east for vessels of less than 110 m LOA. The Marine and Ports Department provide and maintain good solar powered navigation aids. There are two alongside berths and a mooring dolphin for discharge of oil and LPG cargoes. Nuku’alofa, as the major port of Tonga, supports container, ro-ro, general cargo and tanker traffic.
Approximately 200 vessels per annum use the port ranging in size from 4,000 to 50,000 GRT for passenger ships and from 1,500 to 14,000 GRT for merchant ships.
Stevedoring and transport services operate efficiently.
Port website: http://www.portsauthoritytonga.com/about-port-authority
Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com
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Port Location and Contact |
|
|---|---|
|
Country |
Tonga |
|
Province or District |
Tongatapu |
|
Nearest Town or City with Distance from Port |
Nuku’alofa 2 kilometres |
|
Port's Complete Name |
Port of Nuku’alofa |
|
Latitude |
-21.135 |
|
Longitude |
-175.1889 |
|
Managing Company or Port Authority
|
Tonga Port Authority |
|
Management Contact Person |
|
|
Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures |
Airport Name: Fuaʻamotu International Airport Airlines: Fiji Airways, Air NZ, Qantas, Virgin Australia |
Port Picture
1. Queen Salote Domestic Berth #4 2. Queen Salote Domestic Berth #3
3. Queen Salote International Berth #2 4. Queen Salote International Berth #1
5 Touliki Navy Base, breakwater wall. 6. Tug Berth
Description and Contacts of Key Companies
Ports Authority Tonga (PAT) manages the port operation. There are 3 companies PFK, Nuku’alofa Stevedoring and KVL providing stevedoring services. Key clearing and shipping companies are Dateline Transam, Royco Shipping and Kagent Ltd.
Transportation ex-port is by owner operator truckers of which there are over 20.
For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List
Port Performance
The port is run efficiently with quick turnaround times There is generally no waiting time, pilot is on call every day except Sunday (until midnight).
Limitations are draft in the Main Channel (10–15m draft) and width for the Narrow Channel, it has a draft of 27m but width dictates maximum ship length of 320m.
There is priority for humanitarian shipping using domestic berths and during emergencies it can use the international berth as priority.
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-por…
Berthing Specifications
|
Type of Berth |
Quantity |
Length (m) |
Maximum Draft (m) |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Conventional Berth |
1 |
320 |
15 |
|
|
Container Berth |
2 |
93 (Q1) 110 (Q2) |
12 11 |
|
|
Silo Berth |
No |
n/a |
n/a |
|
|
Berthing Tugs |
2 |
45 |
8 |
|
|
Water Barges |
No |
n/a |
n/a |
|
General Cargo Handling Berths
|
Cargo Type |
Berth Identification |
|---|---|
|
Imports - Bagged Cargo |
Queen Salote 1 & 2 |
|
Exports - Bagged Cargo |
|
|
Imports and Exports - RoRo |
|
|
Other Imports |
Port Handling Equipment
Port of Tonga Ltd operates port equipment.
Stevedoring companies are responsible for moving cargo from the ship to dockside only.
Reachstackers can stack containers full to 2 high, empty to 6 high.
|
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 |
Quantity: 3 Capacity: 45T |
Good condition. 1 is new |
|
RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer) |
No |
|
|
|
Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines |
No |
|
|
|
Transtainer |
No |
|
|
|
Forklifts |
Yes |
18 x ranging 3T – 26T |
Good condition |
Container Facilities
There are no dockside cranes. All handling is done with reach stacker and one large (26T) forklift.
|
Facilities |
20 ft |
40 ft |
|---|---|---|
|
Container Facilities Available |
Storage for up to 700 containers
|
Storage for up to 700 containers
|
|
Container Freight Station (CFS) |
No |
No |
|
Refrigerated Container Stations |
Plugs for 63 containers |
Plugs for 63 containers |
|
Other Capacity Details |
Limited to stack 3 high in windy conditions 100m x 200m area for stacking |
Limited to stack 3 high in windy conditions 100m x 200m area for stacking |
|
Daily Take Off Capacity |
12 – 14 per hour |
12 – 14 per hour |
|
Number of Reefer Stations |
Plugs for 63 containers |
Plugs for 63 containers |
|
Emergency Take-off Capacity |
12 – 14 per hour |
12 – 14 per hour |
|
Off take Capacity of Gang Shift |
|
|
Customs Guidance
Customs are generally very efficient, normal processing time is around one hour. They are not obstructive.
Customs are available 24 hours (except Sundays) located adjacent to the port.
For humanitarian goods, if notified well in advance, most of clearance paperwork can be completed prior to cargo / ship’s arrival
For more information on customs in Tonga, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information Terminal Information
Terminal Information
MULTIPURPOSE TERMINAL
Queen Salote Berths 1 & 2 are multi-purpose and can handle RoRo berthing vessels up to 110 m with 11m drafts.
GRAIN AND BULK HANDLING
Port is not equipped to handle bulk grain. There are no companies available for bagging and no silo storage facilities.
MAIN STORAGE TERMINAL
There is one covered warehouse of approximately 3,500m2. There is space for short-term food storage. It is generally full from mid to late December but otherwise available.
|
Storage Type |
Number of Storage Facilities |
Area (m2) |
|---|---|---|
|
Bagged Cargo |
1 |
150 |
|
Refrigerated Cargo |
||
|
General Cargo |
None |
0 |
Stevedoring
The private stevedoring companies are responsible for getting the goods off the ship on the quay and vice versa. Tonga Port Authority are responsible for getting containers, and general cargo to the storage area or onto transporters.
There are 3 three private companies who provide stevedoring services. They can provide up to 23 men per shift as required. There have been no issues with availability or performance and they work in well with the TPA.
The Port Master will coordinate stevedoring services as required. They will operate at all times as necessary except Sundays.
Hinterland Information
Private trucking operators move items from the port. They are owner operated and the Port Master coordinates this service. There are over 20 trucks capable of shifting containerised cargo (side lifters) in addition to a wide variety of other freight vehicles. There is sufficient capacity for current and possible surge requirements.
Port Security
Tonga Port Authority employs and manages port security. Security personnel are on site 24/7. Critical areas are fenced.
There are no current security issues.
|
Security |
|
|---|---|
|
ISPS Compliant |
Yes |
|
Current ISPS Level |
Normal 1 |
|
Police Boats |
1 |
|
Fire Engines |
Nuku’alofa Fire Service |