The Samoa Ports Authority commenced operations on 1st July 1999. Under the provisions of the Ports Authority Act 1998, the Authority acquired all of the port assets in Apia, Mulifanua, Salelologa and Asau . The principal assets acquired were land, buildings, civil works (including wharves) navigational lights and vessels.
Activities and Achievements
Samoa Ports Authority was established to operate as a self funding, commercially viable organization, required to ensure that the ports and maritime needs of Samoa are met in an effective, efficient and timely manner.
The first task of the Authority, following its establishment, was to quickly create an operational structure, that would support effective and efficient response to community and industry needs at a profit. A structure of tariffs and charges, needed so that the Authority would operate on a commercially viable basis, was progressively introduced, in line with international market rates and the “user pays” policy of government.
Security
The first major operational issue addressed was Port Security. Historically, the handling of small consignments had been costly and inefficient, was known to be of significant damage, loss and theft. The Authority implemented a system of “off-wharf” container handling at warehousing operated by private enterprises. This system resulted in greatly improved security for importers and at the same time it lowered cost for bond and storage. The achievement of IMO/ISPS code in July 2004 was a milestone for Samoa Ports Authority as one of the first Ports in the region to comply with these requirements.
Physical Resources
The upgrading and development of physical resources were identified at the outset, as a priority need if the Authority was to provide the best service demanded by its stakeholders. Investment in Terminal extensions and upgrade at Mulifanua and Salelologa, was long overdue. Rehabilitation and upgrade were completed in terminal capacity, passenger comfort facilities and fittings to bring terminal operations to international standard.
A new Weigh bridge has been installed at Apia Wharf as a service to exporters, importers and shipping companies for accurate weighing of containers.
Floating Fleet Development
Floating fleet improvement was identified as an asset area requiring urgent attention. Tug boats “Atafa” and “Tafola” underwent refurbishment to meet survey requirements and safety operations. A new Pilot boat “Fuao” was acquired to eliminated dangerous practice of using tug boats for Pilot transfer. A small tug boat “Fuji Maru” was added to the floating fleet on completion of the new wharf. In addition to that, two barges were acquired (Crane/Dredge)”Mulifanua and sand barge “Salelologa” to assist the Authority with the development.
Apia Main Wharf Development
Following the completion of the new wharf extension, the construction of our container storage area adjacent to the container park and other related facilities are in place to accommodate expected growth in demand for vessel and cargo handling services.
Apia Wharf Container Park Extension
The numbers for containers landing and been loaded through Apia Port now exceeds twenty thousand containers per annum.
Our Mission is to develop and maintain the Ports infrastructure that will meet Samoa’s economic and social requirements and should provide safe, efficient, reliable and profitable port services for Apia.
Our Vision is to increase our share of commercial traffic for the Pacific area.
The container park extension is needed to complement the new wharf and to cater for increase cargo movements.
