Archived Stories

31^st January, 2015.  The landmark development of the Port of Nuku’alofa in recent years has ushered in more economic, tourism and trade connections between Tonga and its South Pacific ports as well as the wider international ports. The re-opening of Vuna Wharf has encouraged tourism through facilitating port visits of the fast expanding global cruise business.

 MS Amsterdam arrived at Vuna Wharf while MS Mariner berthed alongside of the Queen Salote Wharf today Saturday 31 Jan. 2015

At the beginning of 2015, the first cruise to visit Tonga was the MS Silver Whisper. Over the weekend, Saturday 31 January,  while the MS Seven Seas Mariner called on Nuku’alofa Port, and another two cruise ships, MS Amsterdam and MS Marina made an emergency stopover in Nuku'alofa due to a cyclone warning to intended destination.

This is a new record high to receive more than a line of 3 cruise ships per day docking at Nuku’alofa.

The expansion of port facilities will support the wider economy of the Kingdom. Tonga’s tourism was encouraged as cruise visits bring in an average of 1.500 tourists per cruise, compared to the number of tourists arriving on international flights.

The primary functions of Ports Authority in facilitating trade activities between neighboring Pacific countries, as well as with the major industrial nations of the world is key driver for economic development. Tonga is no longer isolated from the developed nations, and it is through the ports that we become an integrated part of the world economy.

Operating in an ever-changing trading environment, Ports Authority is constantly reviewing the directions it should pursue for the advancement of the Nuku’alofa Port and Tonga’s economy in which its efficient expansion of operations makes a major impact in.

 ENDS