Tuvalu : Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project

Sovereign Project | 48484-002

The project will secure safe and efficient maritime infrastructure in the outer islands, with climate change resilience incorporated in infrastructure design, protocols, and operation. The original outcome of improving maritime transfer operations in Nanumaga, Niutao, and Nukulaelae, anchored on a transport sector master plan, with a view to promoting fisheries and tourism, will be extended to the outer island of Nui.

Project Name Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project
Project Number 48484-002
Country / Economy Tuvalu
Project Status Active
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Grant
Source of Funding / Amount
Grant 6003-TUV: Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project - Project Design Advance
Asian Development Fund US$ 2.00 million
Grant 0511-TUV: Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project
Asian Development Fund US$ 8.30 million
Grant 0512-TUV: Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project
Asian Development Fund US$ 3.00 million
Grant 0513-TUV: Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project
GEF-Least Developed Countries Fund US$ 500,000.00
Grant 0603-TUV: Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project (Additional financing)
Asian Development Fund US$ 15.42 million
Grant 0775-TUV: Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project (Second Additional Financing)
Asian Development Fund US$ 20.00 million
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Partnerships
Sector / Subsector

Transport / Water transport (non-urban)

Gender Effective gender mainstreaming
Description The project will secure safe and efficient maritime infrastructure in the outer islands, with climate change resilience incorporated in infrastructure design, protocols, and operation. The original outcome of improving maritime transfer operations in Nanumaga, Niutao, and Nukulaelae, anchored on a transport sector master plan, with a view to promoting fisheries and tourism, will be extended to the outer island of Nui.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

Regional context. Tuvalu is categorized as a fragile and conflict-affected situation and is one of the smallest and most remote ADB member countries. The country is home to 11,646 people. Tuvalu is more than 1,100 kilometers from Fiji and more than 3,000 kilometers from Australia or New Zealand. About 60% of the population is based in Funafuti (the capital), with the remaining people spread among eight outer islands. Given its archipelagic nature, the country's economy and people primarily rely on maritime transport to access goods and essential social services. The outer islands, from north to south, are Nanumea, Niutao, Nanumaga, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae, and Nuilakita.

Need for harbors in the outer islands. The government runs a shipping service to facilitate the movement of people and cargo between the islands. However, no outer island has a harbor for the government ships, and small workboats need to ferry people and cargo between the ship and the shore. This is dangerous when the sea is rough, and workboats need to pass through channels that can be too shallow during low tide. Except for Nanumea, Nukufetau, and Vaitupu, no other outer island has a harbor for the workboats. Serious accidents have occurred during passenger transfers and navigation through channels, resulting in fatalities and economic losses.

Original project. On 16 November 2016, ADB approved a grant for $11.8 million to finance the Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project (the original project), which is (i) constructing a workboat harbor in Nukulaelae and rehabilitating boat ramps at Nanumaga and Niutao, (ii) improving the capacity to operate and maintain harbors, and (iii) creating a transport sector master plan for future harbor development in the outer islands. Previously, ADB provided a project design advance grant for the detailed engineering design, procurement assistance, and project management.3 The project progressed satisfactorily but incurred cost overruns because of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuation and contract variations for the works contract under the project. In parallel, the government requested ADB continued scaling up of the project outputs and construction of additional workboat harbors.

First additional financing. The government requested ADB and the World Bank to assist in the construction of further workboat harbors in additional outer islands of Tuvalu. On 13 September 2018, ADB approved additional financing to the original project for $15.4 million to cover cost overruns of the original project and scale up the project outputs with the construction of a workboat harbor in Niutao.4 The World Bank provided parallel cofinancing assistance to construct a workboat harbor in Nanumaga under the Maritime Investment in Climate-Resilient Operations Project.

Second additional financing. The government has requested from ADB a second additional financing to continue scaling up output 1 of the ongoing project by constructing a workboat harbor in the remaining island of Nui, with a population of 610 people (2017). This is highly relevant as, with ADB and World Bank assistance, all of Tuvalu's outer islands except for Nuilakita (with a population of about 30 people) will have a workboat harbor.

Feasibility of second additional financing. The second additional financing is feasible given that (i) the project management capacity of the government is strengthened with the PMU established under the project design advance facility, which continues to operate for the ongoing project (footnote 3); (ii) the government has demonstrated sufficient financial management capacity with financial statements duly submitted and approved; and (iii) the institutional strengthening plan ensures the asset sustainability. These measures contribute to the feasibility of the project and will allow its timely implementation and sustainability.

Suitability of second additional financing. The proposed project is suitable for additional financing since the impact remains unchanged. It (i) scales up the original outputs and outcome, extending them to an additional island; (ii) builds upon the due diligence of the ongoing project, with similar environmental and social safeguards impacts; and (iii) brings efficiency gains using the same PMU and implementation arrangements.

Alignment with strategic priorities. The National Strategy for Sustainable Development, 20162020 (Te Kakeega III) sets out the government's vision to make maritime transport more efficient and safe. Te Kakeega III identifies that the outer islands that are in most need of workboat harbors are Niutao, Nanumaga, Nui, and Nukulaelae. ADB's Strategy 2030 expands the focus on small island developing states to strengthen connectivity, access, and institutional capacity while tackling climate change impacts and disaster risks. The second additional financing is aligned with the strategic priorities of (i) addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequalities; (ii) accelerating progress in gender equality; (iii) building resilience to disasters and climate change; (iv) promoting rural development via improving connectivity and accessibility of isolated populations; and (v) strengthening governance and institutional capacity.

Impact

Safe and efficient domestic maritime transportation that helps increase climate resilience of community infrastructure

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Maritime transfer operations in Nanumaga, Nui, Niutao, and Nukulaelae improved, anchored on a transport master plan, with a view to promoting fisheries and tourism

Progress Toward Outcome Construction of the harbor in the original island is ongoing (slow progress due to Covid-19) and early stages (preparation of mobilization and definition of alternative designs) for the harbor in the 1st Additional Financing has started. Procurement for the works in third island under the 2nd Additional Financing is ongoing.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Small-scale harbors constructed in Nui, Nukulaelae and Niutao, and boat ramps of Nanumaga and Niutao rehabilitated

Capacity to operate and maintain harbors improved, involving outer island communities, the Ministry of Transport, Energy and Tourism, and other national government agencies.

A transport sector master plan for future harbor development in the outer islands created, with a view to promote fisheries and tourism

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

A combination of bad weather, poor performance of the contractor and issues with the subcontractor has caused the delay. The contractor was the only bidder that submitted a confirming proposal within the budget, and the government and ADB have agreed not to terminate this contract but monitor closely the progress and quality of construction. To date an extension to contract completion date will be requested by the government together with a request for additional contract amount to cover cost of increase in the harbor structure levels of up to 0.7 meter. This was because of lack of devices to measure tidal levels in the island during design stage.

This is dependent on the boat harbor completion.

This is dependent on the boat harbor completion.

This is dependent on the boat harbor completion.

This is dependent on the boat harbor completion.

Geographical Location Nanumanga Island, Niutao, Nukulaelae, Tuvalu
Safeguard Categories
Environment B
Involuntary Resettlement C
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects The works include some new dredging and some maintenance dredging to clear existing channels.
Involuntary Resettlement The project is not expected to involve any land acquisition and resettlement impacts. The project infrastructures are expected to be constructed on community land for which communities have expressed their willingness to donate voluntarily. This will be further assessed and confirmed during the PPTA study.
Indigenous Peoples The project is unlikely to impact any distinct and vulnerable indigenous peoples, as the communities are part of the mainstream Tuvalu people.
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design
During Project Implementation
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services All civil works contracts have already been procured and there are no additional business opportunities for civil works contracts.
Procurement All consulting services contracts have already been procured and there are no additional business opportunities for consulting services.
Responsible ADB Officer Kasahara, Kaoru
Responsible ADB Department Sectors Group
Responsible ADB Division Transport Sector Office (SG-TRA)
Executing Agencies
Ministry of Communication and Transport
Ministry of Finance
Timetable
Concept Clearance 06 Jul 2015
Fact Finding 20 Jun 2016 to 01 Jul 2016
MRM 17 Aug 2016
Approval 16 Nov 2015
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 26 Sep 2022

Grant 0511-TUV

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
16 Nov 2016 11 Apr 2017 30 Aug 2017 30 Jun 2021 30 Jun 2025 30 Jun 2023
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 9.80 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 8.30 19 Sep 2023 8.28 0.00 100%
Counterpart 1.50 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 19 Sep 2023 8.28 0.00 100%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating - Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory - Partly satisfactory

Grant 0512-TUV

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
16 Nov 2016 11 Apr 2017 30 Aug 2017 30 Jun 2021 30 Jun 2025 30 Jun 2023
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 3.00 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 3.00 19 Sep 2023 2.98 0.00 100%
Counterpart 0.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 19 Sep 2023 2.98 0.00 100%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating - Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory - Satisfactory

Grant 0513-TUV

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
16 Nov 2016 11 Apr 2017 30 Aug 2017 30 Jun 2021 30 Jun 2023 30 Jun 2023
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 0.50 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 0.00 19 Sep 2023 0.00 0.49 100%
Counterpart 0.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.50 19 Sep 2023 0.00 0.49 100%

Grant 0603-TUV

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
13 Sep 2018 20 Sep 2018 31 Oct 2018 30 Jun 2022 30 Jun 2026 -
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 16.92 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 15.42 19 Sep 2023 14.18 0.00 92%
Counterpart 1.50 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 19 Sep 2023 7.72 0.00 50%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating - Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory - Satisfactory

Grant 0775-TUV

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
03 Dec 2020 13 Jan 2021 01 Feb 2021 30 Jun 2026 - -
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 22.20 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 20.00 19 Sep 2023 19.10 0.00 95%
Counterpart 2.20 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 19 Sep 2023 18.16 0.00 91%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating - Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory - Satisfactory

Grant 6003-TUV

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
16 Nov 2015 03 Dec 2015 07 Dec 2015 31 Jul 2017 30 Jun 2019 30 Oct 2019
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 2.00 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 2.00 19 Sep 2023 1.99 0.00 99%
Counterpart 0.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 19 Sep 2023 1.99 0.00 99%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating - Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory - Satisfactory

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
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (January-December 2022) Audited Project Financial Statements Jun 2023
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Procurement Plan Procurement Plans May 2023
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Follow-Up Review of Proactive Integrity Review Recommendations Proactive Integrity Reviews (PIR) Dec 2022
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (January-December 2021) Audited Project Financial Statements Jun 2022
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (January-December 2020) Audited Project Financial Statements Apr 2022
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Proactive Integrity Review Proactive Integrity Reviews (PIR) Apr 2021
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (January-December 2019) Audited Project Financial Statements Jul 2020
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (January-December 2018) Audited Project Financial Statements Jun 2019
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (30 August - 31 December 2017) Audited Project Financial Statements Aug 2018
Grant Agreement (Special Operations) for Grants 0511 and 0512-TUV: Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project Grant Agreement Apr 2017
Grant Agreement (Externally Financed) for Grant 0513-TUV: Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project Grant Agreement Apr 2017
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Report and Recommendation of the President Reports and Recommendations of the President Oct 2016
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Gender Action Plan Gender Action Plans Oct 2016
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Project Administration Manual Project/Program Administration Manual Oct 2016
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Jul 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.

Title Document Type Document Date
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (July-December 2022) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Jan 2023
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2022) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Oct 2022
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Additional Financing Social Safeguards Due Diligence Report Safeguards Due Diligence Reports Oct 2022
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2021) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Sep 2021
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (July-December 2020) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Aug 2021
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2020) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Dec 2020
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Environmental and Social Monitoring Report (July-December 2019) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports May 2020
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Environment and Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2019) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Oct 2019
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Environment and Social Monitoring Report (July-December 2018) Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports Apr 2019
Outer Island Maritime Transport Infrastructure Project: Safeguards Monitoring Report (January-June 2018) Environmental Monitoring Reports Jun 2018
Outer Island Maritime Transport Infrastructure Project: Safeguards Monitoring Report (July-December 2017) Environmental Monitoring Reports Dec 2017
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Social Safeguards Due Diligence Report Safeguards Due Diligence Reports Jul 2017
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Involuntary Resettlement Due Diligence Report Safeguards Due Diligence Reports Jul 2016
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination Jul 2016

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
TUV (48484-002): Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project(CW-1) Invitation for Bids Closed
Safeguards Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Maritime Structures Engineer Individual - Consulting Closed
0603 - TUV: Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project (MTETADB-2020/01) Individual - Consulting Closed
Grant 0511/0512-TUV: Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project[Contract No. 1. Construction of Maritime Facility in Nukulaelae and Rehabilitation of Boat Ramps in Nanumaga and Niutao] Invitation for Bids Closed

Contracts Awarded

Contract Title Approval Number Contract Date Contractor | Address Executing Agency Total Contract Amount (US$) Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$)
Maritime and Land Civil Works / Civil Works for Workboat Harbor in Nui Grant 0775 01 Sep 2022 Hall Contracting Pty. Ltd. | 149 Sippy Downs Drive, PO Box 519, Buderim QLD 4556 Ministry of Finance 15,173,515.17
Resident Engineer Grant 0775 01 Feb 2022 Alan Lobb | 2 fairy Bower St Kingscliff Australia NSW Australia 2487 Ministry of Finance 188,600.70
TEAM LEADER (CONTRACT ENGINEER) Grant 0603 14 Sep 2020 DOMINIC LEGOE | 96 GOLDSBROUGH ROAD TARINGA BRISBANE QUEENSLAND 4068 AUSTRALIA Ministry of Communication and Transport 372,729.73
MARITIME STRUCTURES ENGINEER Grant 0603 03 Aug 2020 HASKONING AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED | LEVEL 14 56 BERRY STREET NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2060 SYDNEY AUSTRALIA Ministry of Communication and Transport 207,757.70
PROGRAM MANAGER Grant 0603 01 Jul 2019 VETE PALAKUA SAKAIO | FUNAFUTI TUVALU Ministry of Communication and Transport 145,139.34
PROJECT SUPPORT AND MASTER PLANNING CONSULTANT Grant 0511 13 Sep 2017 CARDNO EMERGING MARKETS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD | FORTITUDE VALLEY QLD AUSTRALIA Ministry of Communication and Transport 1,280,341.00

Procurement Plan

Title Document Type Document Date
Outer Island Maritime Infrastructure Project: Procurement Plan Procurement Plans May 2023