Key port information can also be found at:
Website of the Maritime Database on the Port of Honiara
Port Overview
The seaport of Point Cruz is the main port of entry into Solomon Islands. A number of international shipping companies operate as the port has facility to handle containers Passenger ferry services operate from Honiara's main wharf at Point Cruz, the Notable operators are the ferry operations MV Pelican Express and MV Solomon Express, offering services once a week to Malaita and the western provincial cities of Mbunikalo, Seghe, Noro, and Gizo. Fuel is imported through a single buoy mooring system and pumped ashore through to the tanks farms belonging to Shell and those of Markworth Oil Ltd, Honiara Bulk Fuel. Larger vessels requiring bunkers up to 100,000 litres can be bunkered at the main port using trucks. Dump barges can be engaged for bunkers greater than 100,000 litres provided at least two weeks notice is given (South Pacific Oils).
The Port is undertaking a physical and administrative revamp, consultants from Singapore have reviewed all aspects of the physical, tariffs, processes and administration operation. The access roads are being repaired and upgraded; Lighting mounted on 30-meter turrets, container equipment to complement the new pier being constructed is being ordered, (the list was not available). The Port tariffs, inclusive of Marine and cargo operations have increased by 300 % to 400 % effective from the 1st of September 2015.
The port productivity is considered on the low side. The Stevedore operations are part of the Solomon Islands Port Authority
Port website: www.sipa.sb
Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com
Port Location and Contact |
|
Country |
Solomon Islands |
Province or District |
Gaudalcanal |
Nearest Town or City with Distance from Port |
Honiara Adjacent to port |
Port's Complete Name |
Port Of Honiara |
Latitude |
-9.426389 |
Longitude |
159.9772 |
Managing Company or Port Authority |
Solomon Islands Ports Authority |
Management Contact Person |
Hugo Bugoro |
Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures |
AIRPORT NAME: Honiara International (8 km) LIST OF INTERNATIONAL CARRIERS: Solomon Airlines, Air Pacific, Air Vanuatu, Fiji Airlines, Pacific Blue Airlines, Virgin Blue, Qantas |
Port Picture
1 Container berth 1 5. Shell Fuel Storage facility
2 Container berth 2 6. Coastal shipping wharves
3 Storage warehouse 7. Markworth Oil Fuel Storage facility
4 Container storage area 8. Patrol boat berths
Description and Contacts of Key Companies
The Management of the port is under Solomon Islands Port Authority (SIFA). They are responsible for all administrative matters and development. SIFA also manage all stevedoring operations. Tug boat services are contracted to 2 companies Pacific Towing (a Papua New Guinea company) and Dalgros (local). Port security is organised by the Government appointed Director Of Corporate Service There are several local shipping agents, Tradco, Sullivans and IDC Shipping Agencies, who handle the bulk of the port business. Transport ex-port by road is mainly done by owner operators or onward shipped on ferries and small boats to other islands.
For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.2.3 Soloman Islands Port and Waterways Company Contact List
Port Performance
The only limitations to vessel size are the depth of the berths. There are no bottlenecks. Pilotage and Tugs are compulsory for vessels above 40m LOA. The port is rarely congested and consequently there is no waiting time. If necessary, humanitarian cargo will be given priority, with prior approval from the Ministry Of Foreign Affairs. This is a formality.
Seasonal Constraints |
||
Occurs |
Time Frame |
|
Rainy Season |
No |
- |
Major Import Campaigns |
Yes |
Nov – Jan (does not affect operations) |
Other Comments |
Nov-Jan peak is due to festive season imports |
Handling Figures for 2015 |
|
Vessel Calls |
417 |
Container Traffic (TEUs) |
32,000 |
Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk for 2015 (Includes Container volume) |
|
Bulk (MT) |
139,214 |
Break bulk (MT) |
526.468 |
Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges
For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link: www.sipa.com.sb/
Charges applied as per gazette rate to Break Bulk cargoes:
Stevedoring Charge @ $39.00 per Revenue tons
Tonnage dues @ $45.00
Handling Charge @ $25.00 per Revenue tones
Wharf charges @ $10.50 per Revenue tons
Solomon Islands Port of Honeira Additional Information
Note: The information provided in the attached documents, which has been taken from the old DLCA, does not match the structure of the new LCA and is therefore provided separately.
Berthing Specifications
Type of Berth |
Quantity |
Length (m) |
Maximum Draft (m) |
Comments |
Conventional Berth |
2 x multi -use |
#1. 130 |
8 - 10 |
|
Container Berth |
#2. 150 |
12 |
Also RoRo capable |
|
Silo Berth |
No |
|
||
Berthing Tugs |
No |
2 x tugs berthed at domestic Ferry jetties or anchored |
||
Water Barges |
No |
May be berthed at domestic ferry jetties |
Adjacent to the international Port of Honiara, there are 7 small jetties for local cargo/passenger and fishing vessels.
Fuel is discharged through a submarine cable and deposited into tanks on the wharf, run by the two fuel importers.
Further information on berthing specifications can be found in the following document:
Solomon Islands Port of Honeira Additional Information
Honiara has a deepwater international berth 120 meters (m) long, with a maximum depth of 10.5m alongside. Vessels up to 200 m long can be handled. In addition, Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) operates a 85-m wharf, with a depth of 3.4 m alongside, as well as a barge ramp. Adjacent to the international Port of Honiara, there are 7 small jetties for local cargo/passenger and fishing vessels. Fuel is discharged through a submarine cable and deposited into tanks on the wharf, run by the two fuel importers.
General Cargo Handling Berths
Cargo Type |
Berth Identification |
Imports - Bagged Cargo |
Berths 1 & 2 |
Exports - Bagged Cargo |
Berths 1 & 2 |
Imports and Exports - RoRo |
Berth 2 |
Other Imports |
Berths 1 & 2 |
Port Handling Equipment
Is the port handling equipment is operated and managed by SIPA, the Port Management entity
Equipment |
Available |
Total Quantity and Capacity Available |
Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage |
Dockside Crane |
No |
||
Container Gantries |
No |
||
Mobile Cranes |
No |
||
Reachstacker |
Yes |
3 x 45 MT 5 x 45 MT (new) |
All operative and in reasonable condition |
RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer) |
No |
||
Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines |
No |
||
Transtainer |
Yes |
|
Due to large quantities of fuel imported and vegetable oil exported port handles 200 transtainers / month |
Forklifts |
Yes |
8 x (range 3 –16MT) |
Further information on operational port cargo handling equipment can be found in the following document:
Solomon Islands Port of Honeira Additional Information
Note: The information provided in the attached documents, which has been taken from the old DLCA, does not match the structure of the new LCA and is therefore provided separately.
Container Facilities
The port is accustomed to large volumes of containerised cargo, however it relies on shipboard cranes to unload containers to wharf. Containers can be unloaded by other means on Berth 2. Provided the ship is RoRo capable.
Facilities |
20 ft |
40 ft |
Container Facilities Available |
2,0000 |
1,000 |
Container Freight Station (CFS) |
No |
No |
Refrigerated Container Stations |
30 |
|
Other Capacity Details |
- |
- |
Daily Take Off Capacity |
250 |
|
Number of Reefer Stations |
30 |
|
Emergency Take-off Capacity |
250 |
|
Off take Capacity of Gang Shift |
100 |
Customs Guidance
Customs officers at the port are available 24/7. Their offices are located adjacent to the wharf. There is no waiting time for customs on arrival and clearance of a vessel generally takes about 1 hour. There are no special protocols to follow, customs officials are generally honest and straightforward to deal with.
For more information on customs in Solomon Islands please see the following link: 1.3 Solomon Islands Customs Information
Terminal Information
Multipurpose Terminal
Berth #2 (see table ‘Berthing Specifications” above) is a multipurpose and can accommodate
Grain and Bulk Handling
There is no specialised bulk grain handling facilities. Bulk grain is received containerised and trucked to the local mill in container. There are no bagging companies in the Solomon Islands.
Main Storage Terminal
There are 2 covered warehouses in the wharf compound area owned by SIFA. They are generally 40% utilised climbing to 60% utilization over the peak period Dec-Jan
Storage Type |
Number of Storage Facilities |
Area (m2) |
Bagged Cargo |
2 |
280 m2 |
Refrigerated Cargo |
None (reefers only) |
|
General Cargo |
As for bagged (above) |
Storage Facillities
Managed by: Solomon Island Ports Authority
There is a free storage period of five days from the date of inward clearance of ship from which cargo is discharged. Thereafter there is a rising scale of storage charges starting at $3 (per tonne or cubic measurement) rising to $8.40 for 31 days or beyond. For goods in the bonded warehouse storage will be charged at 30c more per tonne than the above day rate.
Total floor space | Quantity | Floor Area (m2) |
---|---|---|
Main Quay Transit Sheds
|
2
|
140
|
Back of Port Transit Sheds
|
1
|
-
|
Lighterage Area Transit Sheds
|
n/a |
-
|
Customs Warehouses
|
1
|
-
|
Stevedoring
Stevedoring is provided 7 days a week, 24 hours a day as required. It is managed by SIPA, they run 3 x 8 hour shifts with a 4th gang on standby.
Hinterland Information
There are 30-40 side-lifter trucks owned by companies and individual operators that move containerised goods from the port. This is adequate for current demand and will also be sufficient to meet surge requirements. There is ample supply of smaller trucks owned by individual operators for shifting break bulk goods.
Port Security
The Director Of Corporate Services is responsible for the management of the Port Security. Security is good and there have been no reported issues. Port is patrolled 24/7
Security |
|
ISPS Compliant |
Yes |
Current ISPS Level |
1 |
Police Boats |
No |
Fire Engines |
No |