King Tupou VI has named Tonga’s new domestic wharf after his late father King Taufa’āhau Tupou IV.
The naming was revealed this morning in a letter from His Majesty read to Members of Parliament in a soft ceremony to open the Legislative Assembly for 2018.
As Kaniva News reported earlier this morning, work on the new multimillion wharf is nearly complete.
TOA Construction is expected to hand over the wharf at the end of the month.
Work on the Japanese-funded $TP66 million project is now concentrating on marking parking bays and pathways and landscaping.
This is expected to be completed by January 13.
The new wharf is expected to be opened by the king.
Tongan Port Authorities CEO Mōsese Lavemai said the new domestic wharf was “the most advanced and modern in the Pacific except Australia and New Zealand.”
The domestic wharf was now separate from the International wharf known as Queen Sālote wharf and the Cruise ship wharf known as Vuna wharf.
The wharf building was designed to resist earthquakes, tsunamis and cyclones.
The foundations are above sea level to cope with rise in ocean levels.
The wharf facilities were designed to help ships use less fuel during berthing.
The project, being constructed on the western side of Queen Sālote Wharf, includes two ship berthing areas with each having a length of 90 metres and a three story terminal building.
The building was partly powered by solar panels on the roof.
