The Kingdom of Tonga is honoured to serve as the host country for the 48th Pacific Maritime Transport Alliance Annual Conference. As a Pacific island nation whose economic development, trade, transportation, food security, tourism, and connectivity depend heavily on reliable maritime services, Tonga recognises the importance of regional cooperation in strengthening the maritime transport sector.

Hosting the PMTA Annual Conference provides Tonga with an important opportunity to welcome port authorities, maritime organisations, government agencies, shipping operators, development partners, technical experts, and private-sector representatives from across the Pacific. It also allows the Kingdom to demonstrate its commitment to improving port efficiency, maritime safety, environmental responsibility, regional connectivity, and sustainable economic growth.

The conference reflects Tonga’s long-standing cultural values of hospitality, respect, cooperation, and partnership. Through the spirit of faka‘apa‘apa, feveitokai‘aki, and Pacific unity, Tonga welcomes all PMTA members, delegates, speakers, sponsors, and participants to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange professional knowledge, build stronger relationships, and identify practical solutions to the shared challenges facing Pacific ports and maritime transport.

Ports Authority Tonga as the Host Port Authority

Ports Authority Tonga plays the leading role in coordinating and delivering the conference on behalf of the host country. As a Government Public Enterprise, the Authority is responsible for managing and operating Tonga’s major commercial and domestic port facilities and supporting the safe, secure, and efficient movement of vessels, cargo, passengers, and maritime services.

In hosting the 48th PMTA Annual Conference, Ports Authority Tonga serves not only as the event organiser but also as Tonga’s principal representative within the regional port and maritime community. The Authority is responsible for coordinating the conference programme, venue arrangements, delegate services, stakeholder communications, sponsorship, media engagement, ceremonial activities, technical presentations, and official hospitality.

Ports Authority Tonga also provides an important platform for showcasing Tonga’s port operations, maritime infrastructure, development priorities, and future plans. Through presentations, discussions, site visits, and professional exchanges, the Authority can highlight its ongoing work in areas such as:

• port modernisation and infrastructure development;
• maritime safety and security;
• digital transformation and improved port systems;
• operational efficiency and customer service;
• environmental protection and climate resilience;
• workforce development and professional capacity-building;
• regional trade facilitation and shipping connectivity; and
• partnerships with government, industry, communities, and development agencies.

Importance of Hosting the Conference

The hosting of the PMTA Annual Conference is significant for Tonga because it strengthens the Kingdom’s visibility and leadership within the Pacific maritime sector. It provides an opportunity for Tonga to contribute directly to regional discussions on the future of Pacific ports, including the challenges of climate change, limited shipping connectivity, high transportation costs, infrastructure financing, maritime safety, technological development, and sustainable port operations.

The conference also creates opportunities for Ports Authority Tonga and other national stakeholders to establish new partnerships, learn from international and regional best practices, and explore potential technical and investment support. The knowledge shared during the conference can assist Tonga in improving its maritime systems, strengthening institutional capability, and supporting national economic and social development.

In addition, the event brings direct benefits to the local economy through accommodation, transportation, catering, tourism, cultural activities, event services, and other business opportunities. It provides an important occasion to promote Tonga as a welcoming, capable, and strategically located Pacific nation.

Regional Leadership and Cooperation

As both the host authority and an active member of the Pacific Maritime Transport Alliance, Ports Authority Tonga supports the PMTA’s role in promoting cooperation among Pacific ports and maritime organisations. The conference allows members to share experiences, discuss common operational concerns, develop professional networks, and consider coordinated responses to regional maritime challenges.

The Chief Executive Officer of Ports Authority Tonga, serving in the leadership role of PMTA President, represents both the Authority and the wider regional alliance. This position provides an opportunity to promote collective action, encourage innovation, strengthen safety standards, support environmentally responsible port development, and advance the interests of Pacific island ports.

Conference Theme and Strategic Relevance

The theme, “Pacific Ports at the Crossroads – Innovation, Safety and Green Growth,” reflects the important choices currently facing the Pacific maritime sector.

Innovation highlights the need for ports to adopt modern technology, digital systems, efficient procedures, improved data management, and more responsive customer services.

Safety emphasises the responsibility of ports and maritime organisations to protect employees, vessels, cargo, passengers, communities, infrastructure, and the marine environment.

Green growth recognises the need to balance economic development with climate resilience, environmental protection, energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, and responsible management of marine resources.

For Tonga and Ports Authority Tonga, these priorities are directly connected to national development. Efficient and resilient ports are essential for maintaining the flow of essential goods, supporting exports, enabling domestic transportation, strengthening disaster preparedness, and connecting Tonga with regional and international markets.

Welcoming Message

On behalf of the Government and people of the Kingdom of Tonga, Ports Authority Tonga warmly welcomes all PMTA members, delegates, partners, sponsors, and participants to the 48th PMTA Annual Conference.

Tonga is proud to provide a setting where Pacific maritime leaders can meet, exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and develop practical solutions for the future of the region’s ports and shipping sector. Through collective leadership and regional cooperation, the conference can contribute to safer, more innovative, resilient, and environmentally sustainable Pacific ports.

Ports Authority Tonga looks forward to hosting a successful and productive conference and to providing all participants with a meaningful professional experience and a warm Tongan welcome.

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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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