Ports

Apia Port

Samoa is an insular country located in the Central South Pacific with a national land area of 2,936km2 and a population of about 180,000. Given its geographical condition, Samoa’s national life and economic activities largely depend on Maritime transportation, making Ports crucial components of basic social infrastructure.

The climate of Samoa is typically tropical oceanic and is divided into dry and rainy seasons.

Apia Port is a sole commercial Port, handling about 97% of all foreign trade cargoes for the country and is regarded as the lifeline of the country with its lifelihood largely depending upon import and the rest on transportation by sea.

Apia Port is connected with South Pacific countries such as New Zealand and Australia. Far East including Japan, United States and Europe. Most of them are served with container and Ro-Ro ships. Irregular services are provided by small cargo vessel and Oil Tankers and Passenger Cruise Liners cruising the South Pacific call at Apia Port several times a year.

The Main Wharf of Apia Port was constructed in 1966 for conventional cargo handling purposes with the provision of full scale port functions such as a 12m deep and 185m long berth.

Domestic Ports (Mulifanua & Salelologa)

Domestic Ports at Mulifanua and Salelologa, have recently been transferred to SPA management, in October 2022, from the Samoa Shipping Corporation. New improvements to the buildings are underway, with Mulifanua been completed, whilst renovations at Salelologa Wharf is ongoing.

The Mulifanua Wharf was built in 1986, through financial aid from the Government of Japan to the Government of Samoa.

Satitoa-Aleipata Wharf & Slipway

Aleipata-Satitoa Port is located on the eastern coast of Upolu and was originally commissioned in the late 1970s as an alternative wharf to be used by local fishermen and for travel and trade to American Samoa. A passenger terminal and slipway was constructed in 2007 and 2008 but was subsequently damaged during the earthquake and tsunami in 2009. The facilities were repaired in 2010 but sustained damage during Cyclone Evan in December 2012. The facilities were rebuilt by SPA and the Slipway is presently leased by the Silva Group in 2023 for maintenance of vessels.

Asau Wharf (Savaii)

Asau Port on the northwestern coast of Savaii, was established in 1960 primarily to cater for the timber logging and milling operations of the US company, Potlatch Corporation. With the ceasing of Potlatch operations in 1976, use of Asau Port has been minimal. Whilst Asau Harbour is well-protected, utilization is limited to small vessels due to the narrow width and shallow depth of the approach channel.