ABOUT PORT AUTHORITY

The Ports Authority Tonga (PAT) is a statutory body established under the Ports Authority Act 1998. Its core mandates are defined across several key sections of the Act, notably Sections 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12, and are further supported by its obligations under the Public Enterprises Act 2002. These mandates collectively outline PAT's jurisdiction, functions, objectives, governance, and operational powers.

Under Section 3 of the Ports Authority Act, PAT has jurisdiction over all ports and port premises within the Port of Nuku’alofa. This jurisdiction includes the land, waters, seabed, and airspace within the boundaries of the designated port areas. The Authority is responsible for managing and controlling all infrastructure and activities within these areas, which includes wharves, navigable waters, storage zones, and port-related facilities.

The functions of the Authority, as stated in Section 4, are centered on ensuring the safe, efficient, and effective provision of port services and facilities. These include facilitating the movement of ships, passengers, and cargo through Ports of Nuku’alofa, maintaining essential infrastructure and utilities, managing navigation and safety, and promoting the development and modernization of port operations. These responsibilities position PAT as a key enabler of Tonga’s maritime trade and national economic development.

Section 5 outlines PAT’s principal objectives, which are to manage port operations in an efficient and cost-effective manner, to promote economic growth by supporting trade, and to ensure the safety, security, and environmental sustainability of all port activities. A further objective is the achievement of financial viability to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Authority’s services and infrastructure.

The governance structure of PAT is prescribed in Section 10, which establishes a Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for providing overall strategic direction, ensuring effective governance, approving key policies, and monitoring the Authority’s performance. The Board must act in the best interests of the organization, in line with shareholder expectations and relevant legislation.

Sections 11 and 12 of the Act set out the powers of the Authority, which include the ability to acquire, lease, and manage property within the port jurisdiction, collect port dues and service fees, enter into commercial contracts, and issue regulations governing port operations. These powers enable PAT to function as a commercially-oriented statutory authority capable of entering public-private partnerships and managing critical maritime infrastructure.

Under the Public Enterprises Act 2002, PAT is further mandated to operate as a successful business. Specifically, Section 4 of the Act requires that all public enterprises, including PAT, must aim to be as profitable and efficient as comparable private sector entities. This includes striving for financial independence, delivering value to stakeholders, ensuring good governance, and returning dividends to the Government as the shareholder.

These legislative frameworks position Ports Authority Tonga to both deliver efficient, safe, and reliable port services and operate on a commercial basis. PAT is therefore expected to balance its statutory responsibilities as a public authority with the performance expectations of a competitive, financially sustainable enterprise that contributes meaningfully to Tonga’s economic development.

To support effective governance and operational integrity, Ports Authority Tonga (PAT) is guided by two key policy instruments applicable to all public enterprises in Tonga. The first is the Public Enterprises Staff Standard Employment Policy (PESSEP 2022), which sets standards for fair and merit-based recruitment, consistent employment practices, ethical conduct, professional behavior, capacity building, and a safe, inclusive work environment. The second is the Corporate Governance Code of Conduct and Practices for Directors of Public Enterprises (2024), which outlines expectations for ethical leadership, transparency, fiduciary responsibility, and strategic oversight. Together, these frameworks ensure PAT operates with professionalism, accountability, and integrity, aligning its corporate governance and staff practices with national public enterprise standards and shareholder expectations.

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