Port Delivery

Queen Salote stayed open through a two-stage rebuild

Published 18 July 2026 Updated 21 July 2026 Publisher IMWO Region Global islands Confidence Confirmed
Aerial view of marine piling, work barges and new wharf beams during Stage 2 at Queen Salote International Wharf

McConnell Dowell

Tonga completed Queen Salote International Wharf's marine and civil upgrade in November 2025 after rebuilding Wharf 1, repairing Wharves 2 to 4, extending Wharf 2 by 50 metres and installing four new berthing or mooring dolphins around a live cargo gateway.

Published scope and current milestone

AIFFP's 5 November 2025 release records completion, the two-stage delivery sequence, Wharf 1 handover, Phase 2 scope, commissioned service systems and the US$83.5 million total project cost. ADB supplies the US$43.05 million works contract, US$2.003 million supervision contract, procurement method, earlier progress snapshot and marine scope. Its operational procurement dataset shows how the same works package is attributed across three grants without creating three contract totals. McConnell Dowell supplies the live-port sequence and contractor-reported safety, local-content, training, carbon and material-reuse results. The opening confirms completed works but not sustained operating performance.

Port delivery and operating implications

Queen Salote remained open during reconstruction because it is Tonga's only international port. The contractor divided the marine and landside work between the eastern and western halves of the site so cargo vessels could keep using the gateway while wharves, dolphins, pavement and utilities were replaced. The sequence is relevant to island ports with no spare international berth: temporary access, cargo operations and marine construction had to share one constrained waterfront rather than proceed behind a closed workfront.

Evidence conclusion

Handover, readiness and service evidence

Ports Authority Tonga said on 5 November 2025 that all marine and civil works were complete and operational, superseding the 95% overall and 97% Wharf 2 progress figures in ADB's July 2025 project snapshot. ADB lists the main works contract at US$43.05 million; McConnell Dowell describes a US$70 million wharf upgrade; AIFFP reports a US$83.5 million total project cost. ADB's current procurement data also places the same works title, contractor and signing date against three financing approvals. These are financing-attribution records for one works package rather than three civil awards. McConnell Dowell reports zero lost-time injuries over one million hours, an average 80% local workforce, 14% of contract value reinvested in Tonga, 20% of spend supporting local communities and businesses, and 2,160 tonnes of demolished concrete reused in rock bags. Those delivery results do not establish berth availability, vessel turnaround, drainage and firefighting reliability, or seawall and revetment performance after severe weather.

Outstanding evidence

  • Berth availability and vessel turnaround after opening
  • Wharf, dolphin, fender and mooring inspection results
  • Seawall and strengthened rock-revetment condition after storms
  • Drainage, lighting, electrical and firefighting system reliability
  • Navigation-marker serviceability and maintenance records
  • Operating-cost change, maintenance funding and programme close-out

Related records 1

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