PORTS AUTHORITY SEES VALUE IN 60 YEAR OLD ASAU PORT
By: Joshua Lafoa’i
The Asau port will undergo a major facelift once Government maintenance plans for the remote port in Savaii are finalized.
The port is located over 102 kms North-East of Apia and is currently under talks to be used as a possible docking area for tourism cruises and shipping vessels.
The Chief Executive officer of the Samoa Ports Authority, So’oalo Kuresa So’oalo says the Asau docks is a valuable asset to the Government.
“The wharf is in great condition, the only obstacle were facing now which is halting its usage is the channel for ships to come through,” said So’oalo.
“The channel is a manmade channel and constant maintenance would be needed to ensure it is suitably deep for ships and at the same time safe for operation,” he said.
The proposed plan will be included under the funding to construct a new port at Vaiusu.
A feasibility study and survey has been completely as part of pre-restoration stage of the port.
“We are now awaiting the final results of the study from the special team in China that conducted the study,” added So’oalo.
“This is a project that we hope we could push further. It can be a big part of Samoan development if we can make this wharf accessible and useable,” said So’oalo.
“Once the report is finalized and we get the okay to go ahead and start working on the restoration, plans will move on to the next stage,” he added.
While SPA await the report, other smaller projects are on the way already in preparations.
An office for Ports authorities’ workers will be constructed inside the compound and land reclamation to for the eastern side of the port to combat erosion caused by high swells.
The Asau Port was built in the 1960s by the United States military.
