📋 Tender Overview
The Asian Development Bank ADB and the Government of Samoa today participated in an inauguration ceremony for a new tugboat funded by the ADB-supported Apia Port project.Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa led the inauguration ceremony. She is joined by ADB Director General for the Pacific Leah Gutierrez ADB Alternate Executive Director Karen Murray and Minister of Works and Transport Infrastructure and the Samoa Port Authority Olo Afoa Fiti Vaai who helped launch the tugboat.This project is transforming Apia Port into a safer more secure and greener international gateway said Ms. Gutierrez. Resilient efficient ports are critical elements of transportation links and supply chains in the Pacific and this new tugboat will assist vessels in Apia Port with fast safe and smooth berthing and unberthing operations.Building resilience to climate change strengthening border security and boosting trade are all key components of the Apia Port Project said Mr. Olo Afoa Fiti Vaai. We will continue working with ADB to make Apia Port a more secure and greener international gateway.Tugboats play a critical role in Apia Ports operations connecting arriving vessels inside the reef and berthing and de-birthing of vessels as well as helping emergency services conduct fire fighting.The new tugboat is named Saula-60 which combines the Samoan word for blue marlin with celebrations for Samoas 60th year of independence. It will replace two aging tugboats that have a collective age of about 50 years and currently operate well below potential efficiency and safety standards.The project supported by ADB and Samoa is upgrading critical port infrastructure including reconstructing the breakwater upgrading the port terminal implementing a wave-monitoring and early warning system and procuring the Saula-60 tugboat and a container x-ray scanner. The project will also support developing and delivering gender-sensitive green port initiatives to optimize operational and energy efficiency towards long-term sustainability of Samoas port operations.ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous inclusive resilient and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966 it is owned by 68 members49 from the region.
