Vanuatu Eyes More Smaller, Climate-Resilient Wharves to Improve Island Connectivity

September 9, 2026 11:55 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

Compiled by Nicholas Mwai.

Vanuatu is assessing whether a network of smaller, strategically located and climate-resilient jetties could provide greater benefits to island communities than focusing investment mainly on large-scale wharf developments.

The Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority (VMSA), together with the Government and Ocean Logistics Limited, is conducting a nationwide assessment of domestic maritime infrastructure to identify priority locations where improved maritime access is needed.

The initiative is funded by the Ministry of Trade and Commerce (MOTC) through the National Trade Development Committee (NTDC), with VMSA Senior Inspector Jacky Taleo leading the assessment team.

Travelling aboard MV Nakato, Taleo and the team have been working alongside domestic vessel operators and communities to examine existing facilities and identify practical locations for future maritime infrastructure.

The assessment has already covered a wide range of islands across the country.

In TAFEA Province, the team assessed Dillon’s Bay and Port Narvin on Erromango, Lenakel and Resolution Bay on Tanna, as well as Aneityum, Futuna, including Herols Bay, Aniwa and Port Morgan.

The team then moved north, assessing Sulua on Emae, Panita on Tongoa, Port Quemie in South Epi, Liro on Paama, Craig Cove, Olal and Nobul on Ambrym, Pangi, Melsisi, Bwatnapne and Loltong on Pentecost, as well as Maewo, Lolowai and Devil’s Rock on Ambae.

The programme is expected to continue across the remaining islands following a short operational interruption involving the assessment vessel.

Moving beyond the biggest-wharf approach

The assessment is not simply about identifying locations where existing jetties need repairs.

It is also examining whether Vanuatu’s future maritime infrastructure strategy should place greater emphasis on building more smaller facilities across the country, rather than concentrating limited funding on a small number of large wharves.

For an island nation heavily dependent on shipping, safe maritime access is directly linked to the cost of living, economic activity and the movement of essential goods.

Almost every bag of cement, sheet of roofing iron, vehicle, piece of machinery and major construction material reaching an outer island must travel by sea.

Agricultural produce and other commodities travelling from rural communities to major markets face the same challenge in reverse.

However, in communities without suitable wharf infrastructure, vessels can be forced to load and discharge cargo across beaches or use facilities that are not designed for modern domestic landing craft.

This can increase handling time, transport costs and operational risks.

A relatively simple landing-craft jetty could change how cargo is moved between vessels and communities.

With the right design, a landing craft could lower its ramp directly onto the facility, allowing forklifts, trucks, excavators and other machinery to move cargo and vehicles between the vessel and shore more efficiently.

Such infrastructure could also potentially support Ro-Ro ferries, ramp-equipped barges and other domestic vessels.

More jetties, not necessarily bigger wharves

The assessment is considering whether limited infrastructure funding could have a greater national impact if spread across a larger number of strategically located smaller facilities.

Major commercial wharves would continue to play an important role at key locations, but not every island community necessarily requires a major port development.

In some communities, the most urgent need may simply be a safe and reliable connection between a vessel’s loading ramp and the shore.

The proposed approach does not mean lowering infrastructure standards.

Any future facilities would still need to be properly engineered to withstand Vanuatu’s challenging conditions, including cyclones, waves, corrosion and the growing impacts of climate change.

Instead, the focus would be on directing investment towards infrastructure that provides the greatest practical benefit to shipping and island communities.

In some locations, this could mean prioritising a strong, climate-resilient jetty and an appropriate road connection rather than spending large amounts on warehouses, extensive concrete yards or fencing that may not be essential to the community’s shipping needs.

Identifying Vanuatu’s maritime priorities

The nationwide assessment is expected to give Government a clearer picture of where maritime infrastructure is most urgently needed.

Importantly, the information is being gathered directly from island communities, VMSA and domestic shipping operators, giving the assessment a practical focus based on the realities faced by vessels and communities.

The findings will contribute to the development of a National Maritime Infrastructure Database for Vanuatu.

The database is also expected to support future planning and discussions with development partners, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other potential funding agencies.

This could help Government identify priority locations before engaging external engineering consultants to determine the detailed design and technical requirements of proposed facilities.

The domestic maritime industry has welcomed the initiative and expressed support for closer cooperation between Government, VMSA and vessel operators in planning the country’s future maritime infrastructure.

Strengthening economic and disaster resilience

The long-term objective is to establish a national network of safe, resilient and strategically located maritime access points capable of strengthening domestic shipping and reducing transport costs for communities.

Improved maritime access could also play an important role in disaster response.

For remote island communities, reliable landing facilities can become critical points for the movement of relief supplies, machinery, vehicles and emergency personnel following cyclones, earthquakes and other disasters.

The initiative therefore links maritime infrastructure not only to trade and transportation, but also to broader economic and disaster resilience.

For Vanuatu, the emerging message from the assessment is that better maritime connectivity may not require the country’s biggest possible wharves.

In many communities, a smaller, well-engineered and climate-resilient jetty in the right location could deliver greater value by addressing a basic challenge facing domestic shipping: moving cargo, vehicles and people efficiently and safely between the vessel and shore.