The Samoa Government and ADB-Asian Development Bank held a groundbreaking ceremony to officially start an upgrade of the country's international seaport.
The project will upgrade Port Apia (on Upolu Island) so it could withstand a 100-year storm event as well as 50-years of sea-level rise.
The redevelopment includes a customs facility with a container x-ray scanner to enable effective border management.
A brand new tugboat is also provided.
Gender-responsive green port initiatives are included to promote sustainable port operations and management. The new project will promote the greater participation of women employees in undertaking management and technical roles to operationalize the green port initiatives.
Fiame Naomi Mataafa (Samoa's Prime Minister) gave a keynote address at the event, saying "now is the time to develop resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events and climate change, and we are delighted to partner with ADB in this transformational project."
ADB financing amounts to USD 62,26 million (EUR 53,23M), with the Samoa Government contributing USD 12,77 million (EUR 10,92M).
The work is being undertaken by a variety of companies from the Netherlands, China, and New Zealand.