Samoa : Ports Development Master Plan

Sovereign Project | 47358-001

The technical assistance (TA) for Ports Development Master Plan was approved on 24 April 2015 for $500,000 and is financed by ADB's Technical Assistance Special Fund (TASFOthers) for completion by 31 August 2016. The TA was designed to identify and prioritize investments in the existing port infrastructure, assess the initial technical and economic feasibility of future port investments, develop master plans for Apia port and a new port at Vaiusu Bay.

In July 2015, ADB approved a minor change to engage a Wave Climate Expert for conducting swell mitigation and weather events study at Apia Port. On 14 September 2016, ADB approved the increase in TA amount by $750,000 from ADB's TASF-V, to finance further feasibility study for the proposed Samoa Port Development Project, and extend TA completion from 31 August 2016 to 31 March 2018. On 16 March 2018, ADB approved the second extension of the TA completion date from 31 March 2018 to 31 December 2018.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Chiang, Alexandra Pamela
    Pacific Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Samoa
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Transport
Project Name Ports Development Master Plan
Project Number 47358-001
Country / Economy Samoa
Project Status Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 8889-SAM: Ports Development Master Plan
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 500,000.00
TA 8889-SAM: Ports Development Master Plan
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 750,000.00
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Governance and capacity development
Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Transport / Water transport (non-urban)

Gender No gender elements
Description

The technical assistance (TA) for Ports Development Master Plan was approved on 24 April 2015 for $500,000 and is financed by ADB's Technical Assistance Special Fund (TASFOthers) for completion by 31 August 2016. The TA was designed to identify and prioritize investments in the existing port infrastructure, assess the initial technical and economic feasibility of future port investments, develop master plans for Apia port and a new port at Vaiusu Bay.

In July 2015, ADB approved a minor change to engage a Wave Climate Expert for conducting swell mitigation and weather events study at Apia Port. On 14 September 2016, ADB approved the increase in TA amount by $750,000 from ADB's TASF-V, to finance further feasibility study for the proposed Samoa Port Development Project, and extend TA completion from 31 August 2016 to 31 March 2018. On 16 March 2018, ADB approved the second extension of the TA completion date from 31 March 2018 to 31 December 2018.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

Samoa is isolated from major centers of trade and commerce, resulting in high international transport costs. In the Doing Business 2015 report, Samoa ranked 80th out of 189 economies in the ease of trading across borders. Improved port infrastructure will improve connectivity and boost economic development and poverty reduction.

The Matautu Port in Apia serves nearly 100% of Samoa's international trade and accounts for 90% of SPA's revenue. It provides a base for passenger and freight movement via international and coastal vessels. Ships berthed at the main wharf are subject to excessive movement because of the intrusion of swell into the harbor, especially during the wet season, which poses operational and safety hazards during loading and unloading.

Samoa is also at risk from the effects of climate change and geophysical hazards, which affect maritime transport infrastructure. An earthquake and tsunami in 2009 caused heavy damage to embankments and terminal buildings at the newly built Aleipata wharf, resulting in revenue losses and reconstruction costs. Cyclone Evan in 2012 damaged a number of ports in Upolu and Savai'i, particularly at the old wharf in Apia. A 2010 World Bank study estimated the present economic value of damage through 2050 resulting from climate change in the absence of additional adaptive measures to be $104 million to $212 million over the same period in Samoa.

Separately, the government has also identified as a priority the development of a proposed new port at a greenfield site at Vaiusu Bay. The government has also entered into preliminary agreements with private tuna processing companies to occupy the existing container yard and warehouse space at Matautu Port for tuna loining. The construction of new tuna processing plants will limit the container yard space, which could impact the port's container throughput and port productivity. Moreover, the introduction of tuna processing could lead to berth congestion, as fishing vessels occupy the port's berthing facilities to discharge their catch.

Such competing port sector development necessitates development of a master plan to identify and prioritize investments in existing port infrastructure, and assess the need for new infrastructure. The ports master plan will also help ensure that existing and new port infrastructure will be resilient to the effects of climate change and natural disasters.

Impact

Financially sustainable investments in Samoa's port sector

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Government endorsed 20-year Ports Development Masterplan

Progress Toward Outcome The masterplan was endorsed by the government.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

1. Demand Assessment and Ports Utilization Study

2. Swell Mitigation Study

3. Initial Technical and Economic Assessment for Vaiusu Bay Port Development

4. Asset Management Plan

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) Additional TA funds have been approved to fine-tune the concept design and project cost estimates. The TA is ongoing.
Geographical Location Nation-wide
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design Development partners and central and line agencies including Ministry of Finance, Samoa Ports Authority, Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Samoa Shipping Corporation were consulted with.
During Project Implementation

The Draft Report was presented to central and line agencies including Ministry of Finance, Samoa Ports Authority, Ministry of Works, Transport, and Infrastructure, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Samoa Shipping Corporation. Consultation with development partners are regularly conducted.

A Cabinet of Ministers decision was made on 30 June 2016 to endorse the draft final report that recommends implementing the least-cost option on enhancing safety and capacity of the existing Apia Port referred as option 1 in the study. The recommended scope includes extension of the existing breakwater, enlargement of existing turning basin, and reconfiguration of the existing port area. This would provide sufficient capacity to meet the annual demand forecast of 35,000 TEU up to 2035. The construction period is approximately 3 years. In July 2016, the government requested ADB to prepare the port development project for ADB financing.

On 14 September 2016, ADB approved the increase in TA amount by $750,000 from ADB's TASF-V, to finance further feasibility study for the proposed Samoa Port Development Project, and extend TA completion from 31 August 2016 to 31 March 2018.

On 16 March 2018, ADB approved the second extension of the TA completion date from 31 March 2018 to 31 December 2018. This was to allow for update of the necessary due diligence documents (feasibility study) for the proposed project, as required for the project processing including, but not limited to undertake (i) institutional assessment that could not be done during the original TA period due to changes in leadership within the Samoa Port Authority (SPA) and (ii) assist SPA for recruitment of consultants under the PDA and procurement of civil works.

A Project Design Advance (PDA) for the proposed project was approved in 26 April 2018. Inception Mission for the PDA was conducted in July 2018.

The proposed project is scheduled for approval in Q3 2019 with the fact-finding mission planned for Q2 2019.

Business Opportunities
Consulting Services A Port specialist/economist, Port engineer, Project administrator, and Wave Climate Expert, Environmental Safeguards Expert, Social Safeguards Expert, Transport Economist and Procurement Expert has been engaged.
Responsible ADB Officer Chiang, Alexandra Pamela
Responsible ADB Department Pacific Department
Responsible ADB Division PATC, Pacific Department
Executing Agencies
Ministry of Finance
Timetable
Concept Clearance 26 Jan 2015
Fact Finding -
MRM -
Approval 24 Apr 2015
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 27 Sep 2018

TA 8889-SAM

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
24 Apr 2015 12 May 2015 12 May 2015 31 Aug 2016 31 Dec 2018 01 Mar 2019
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
1,250,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,250,000.00 17 Jun 2022 865,564.26

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Title Document Type Document Date
Ports Development Master Plan: Technical Assistance Completion Report TA Completion Reports Aug 2019
Ports Development Master Plan: Technical Assistance Report Technical Assistance Reports Apr 2015

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

None currently available.


The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
Procurement Expert Individual - Consulting Closed

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

None currently available.