His Majesty King Tupou VI officially commissioned the upgraded Queen Salote International Wharf today, marking a milestone for Tonga’s economy and national resilience.

The newly upgraded facility, part of a three-year project accumulating over one million person-hours of work, includes an extended international wharf, 35,000 m² of new heavy-duty pavement, rebuilt port access roads, reinstatement of Wharf 1 as a cargo terminal, full rehabilitation of all wharves, a new rock-bag protected seawall using over 2,000 tonnes of recycled concrete, and solar-powered lighting and improved stormwater drainage.

An aerial view of the wharf. Image: Australian High Commission in Tonga

Australia funded AUD 31.25 million via the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) as part of a AUD 138.3 million partnership alongside the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Tonga.

The upgrade is expected to enhance Tonga’s ability to import critical goods, including food, fuel and medicine, while strengthening export capacity and disaster-resilience for the kingdom.

Australia’s High Commissioner to Tonga, Brek Batley, said the investment “highlights the strong partnership between Australia, Tonga, and the ADB, enhancing the port’s resilience and sustainability”.

The project also delivers substantial local benefits, with approximately 80 % of construction roles filled by Tongans and significant skills-training provided.

Image: Australian High Commission in Tonga

The wharf upgrade coincides with Tonga’s celebrations of 150 years of its constitution, emphasising the nation’s history, values and spirit.