Ports Authority Tonga

VACANCY

MARITIME SECURITY GUARDS

The Ports Authority Tonga is seeking to recruit a competent, committed, self-motivated, healthy, enthusiastic and well-discipline male and female candidates to work as a Security Guard within the security divisions at the international and domestic wharves. Successful candidates will report directly to the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO).

Candidates must at least possess the followings:

• Clear Police Records with no criminal charged
• Passed Form 7 minimum
• Must be computer literate
• Must be between 20-35 years of age
• Must be healthy and Active
• Good Communication via Radio and Phone
• Must be well-discipline team player
• Must be efficient and committed to the job
• Two or more years served in the Armed Forces or Police Force

To all interested candidates, please take note that applications must be submitted no later than 15th December 2023. Please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call on +67623168 for details. All Applications must be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Ports Authority Tonga, Nuku’alofa and must include these:

1. Cover letter
2. Updated Curriculum Vitae
3. Certified copies of your transcripts and certificates,
4. Two (2) Reference letters, one must be from your current employer if available
5. Updated police records

11 May 2022

Ports Authority Tonga and the Puloka Construction Ltd on the 5th of May 2022 signed a $3.2 million agreement for phase one of the works for the New Custom Inspection Warehouse Facility.

Over the years, the severe operational bottlenecks and the fundamental issues of aligning people, processes, and technology at the Port of Nuku’alofa for Customs and Quarantine inspection became an issue. One of the current operational bottlenecks is the lack of area and facility for Custom to carry out
the cargo inspection thus causing delay in cargo clearance during the peak season.

Given the obligation of Ports Authority Tonga under the Ports Authority Act to facilitate trade by providing sufficient port facilities, the Authority felt the need for the upgrade of the existing Custom warehouse and the construction of a new cargo inspection facility.

The project will provide a proper facility for efficient and effective cargo clearance at the Port of Nuku’alofa. This need also became more apparent as Tonga embarked on the war against the importation and illegal trade of illicit drugs in response to His Majesty King Tupou VI’s statement at the National Symposium on Illicit Drugs. His Majesty stated that “the Problem of illicit drugs is a national issue that requires an urgent integrated national response and government must allocate and prioritize finances towards this important endeavor as a matter of urgency”.

The project will be implemented in two phases. Some of the major components of phase one is the construction of the New Cargo Inspection Facility which will feature two office complexes for PAT and Custom officers, nine bays for dry inspection services, four bays for frozen inspection services and one bay for storage. This phase is proposed to be implement first in this financial year 2021/2022. Phase one considers the installation of CCTV cameras at the inspection area to improve the supervision of containers the installation of a Customs scanner for container inspections. This warehouse, upon completion, will be the first and only one of its kind in Tonga.

Phase two involves the Upgrade of the Existing Custom Warehouse featuring the extension of the north verandah for container devanning and cargo pick-up services, east extension for public waiting area and café and modification of warehouse interior for new offices for the Custom, Guarantee and PAT officers
to overlook the entire internal cargo sorting and processing operations. PAT hopes that the new set up will also accomplish the idea of a one stop shop for customers. This phase is to be implemented after the completion of phase one which is planned for the financial year 2022/2023.

Since this type of project does not generate any real return to the Authority, PAT sought the assistance of the Government of Tonga at its Annual General Meeting for a cost sharing arrangement on this project through dividend paid to the Shareholder.

PAT acknowledges the Architect who is also the Project Supervisor, Mr. Lisiate Tupou of Quality Design and the Authority’s Infrastructure and Technical Services Major Projects Manager, Mr. Andrew Niukapu for working collaboratively on the technical aspects and design of the project.

The agreement for the project was signed by Mr. Tevita Fatafehi Puloka (Managing Director) on behalf of the Puloka Construction Ltd and Mr. ‘Alo ki Hakau Maileseni (Acting CEO) on behalf of Ports Authority Tonga in the Authority’s head office at Queen Salote Wharf.

-ENDS-

Issued by the: Ports Authority Tonga, Queen Salote Wharf, Nuku’alofa, Tel: (676) 23168, Website: www.portsauthoritytonga.com

The Authority is currently governed by a new Shared Board of Directors for 'Transport Sector' which consisted of the:

• Chairman: Daniel Kimball Fale
• Deputy Chairman - Sione Talanoa Fifita
• HSH Prince Kalaniuvalu Fotofili
• 'Inoke Finau Vala
• Fakahau Valu
• Semisi Tapueluelu
• Viliami Ma'ake

MANAGEMENT TEAM:

The management and operation of the Authority is under the direction of the Acting CEO; Mr. 'Alo Maileseni with the assistant of the following key personnel;

• Mele Havea Lavemaau– Manager Corporate Services.
• Iketau Kaufusi– Manager Infrastructure & Technical Services.
• Halloween Kisina– Manager Operation.
• Hakau Motu Fakapelea– Manager Marine Services and Port Master.
• Brisbane Lokotui – Ports Security Facility Officer
• VACANT- Risk & Compliance Manager.

Tuesday, 22^nd of February, 2021 | Nuku’alofa, St George Building, PAT held its 2020 Annual General Meeting with the sole shareholder of the Authority, the Government of Tonga. Representing the Shareholder to the Meeting was the Honorable Minister of Public Enterprises and Prime Minister of Tonga - Hon. Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tui’onetoa along with his CEO - Mr. Sione ‘Akauola and Deputy CEO (Monitoring and Compliance Division) Mrs. Falahola Naidu. This is the Annual General Meeting for the financial year ended 30 th June 2020 that was deferred from last year.

The Chairman of the Shared Transport Sector Board of Directors, Mr. Daniel Kimball Fale welcomed Hon. Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa to Ports Authority Tonga’s (PAT) Annual General Meeting at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning conference room, level 2 St George Building, Nuku’alofa.

During the Meeting the Directors declared and paid to the Shareholder a total of $1,541,445 as dividend. The dividend paid is equivalent to 75% of PAT Net Profit After Tax of $2,055,260 for the financial year ended 30 th June 2020. In this regard, PAT maintained the same percentage of dividend paid last year which was 75% of the Authority’s NPAT.

It was noted during the meeting that PAT’s performance for FY 2019/20 was significantly affected by COVID-19, the cargo throughput dropped by 12% while number of ships called went down by 14% which contributed to the 10% reduction in total income from $13.4 million to $12.1 million.
Expenditure on the other hand increased by 4% which was mainly attributed to an increase in Depreciation cost as a result of the new CAPEX investment during the year and Finance cost. As a result, the Authority’s NPAT decreased by 38% from $3.3 million of the previous year to $2.1 million. For the first time in the last five years return on equity was below the 10% required rate of return set by the Ministry of Public Enterprises.

Despite the challenges of Covid 19, PAT still maintained a strong financial position at year end with a Net Cash flow from Operating Activities of more than $4.3 million and Gearing ratio of 20% meaning PAT is still having room for more debt to fund its infrastructure development. The period was notable for the level of CAPEX investment completed during the year despite the adverse effects of COVID-19 over its cash flow position. The total CAPEX for the year was $4.6 million which is the second highest CAPEX over the last five years.

This includes the acquisition of the new working barge from Australia. The project was $1.5 million and was funded from PAT’s cash flow and secured bank loan. The dry dock of the MV Tugboat Hifofua in Fiji was also funded from PAT’s cash flow at a total of $1.2 million. In addition, PAT completed the upgrade of the slipway with a total cost of $626,539 to be able to slip and repair the boats and vessels in Tonga. These amongst other capital projects such as the tar sealing of the new domestic wharf car park, fencing replacement for the Queen Salote International Wharf, cargo shed upgrade and the acquisition of the online e-procurement software was completed during the 2019/20 financial year.

ENDS
Issued by: Ports Authority Tonga.