Port Overview 

Constructed in the 1960s for lumbering operations, Asau is situated on the Northwest coast of Savai'i Island. The harbour and small wharf are seldom used now. The mouth of Asau Harbour is blocked by a coral reef. Draft is around 6m, there is a 2.5m draft restriction. Channel width is around 40m.  

 

 The breakwater protecting the bay is an old American airstrip from World War II. The port was well used in the past as it was well protected on the east and south by the mainland and on the north and west by coral reefs. The Port of Asau is currently under the care and jurisdictions of Samoa Ports Authority pursuant to the Ports Authority Act 1999. 

 

The port area is defined to include all seas areas within a two (2) mile radius from the main wharf. 

 

The wharf at the Port of Asau has max axle load of 10 tons measures 120m long and 13m wide with a height 2.8m above datum, having O- type fenders from one end of the wharf to the other. 

 

The current approach channel has a depth of 5.9m to 6.9m and the width varies from 54m to 38m. Due to solid and hard coral bed, the channel was not completed as planned to a width of 68.5m and a depth of 10m at low tide in order to target reasonable sized ships to enter the port for future developments, so the request arises for a private public partnership with cruise companies. 

 

Port website: https://www.spasamoa.ws/apia-port-facilities/asau-wharf  

Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com 

 

Port Location and Contact
Country	Samoa
Province or District	Savai’i Island, Vaisigano district
Nearest Town or City  with Distance from Port	Asau (village at the port)
Port's Complete Name	Port of Asau
Latitude	-13.51939
Longitude	-172.6372
Managing Company or Port Authority	Samoa Ports Authority
Management Contact Person	So’oalo Kuresa So’oalo
Nearest Airport and Airlines with Frequent International Arrivals/Departures	Faleolo International Airport  Air NZ, Fiji Airways, Samoa Airlines, Talofa Airways, Virgin Australia.

Port Picture 

 

(Source: Google Earth, 27/06/2023) 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies 

The port is not used because of the shallow and narrow channel resulting from sand and coral drift. Consequently, there are no facilities at the port other than the wharf itself. 

 

For more information on port contacts, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List  

Port Performance 

Due to the shallow and narrow channel caused by sand and coral drift, the port remains inactive, leading to the absence of any facilities apart from the wharf. 

Seasonal Constraints
	Occurs	Time Frame
Rainy Season	No
Major Import Campaigns	No
Other Comments	The port is not used because of the shallow and narrow channel resulting from sand and coral drift. Consequently there are no facilities at the port other than the wharf itself.

 

Handling Figures for N/A
Vessel Calls	N/A
Container Traffic (TEUs)	N/A

 

Berthing Specifications 

Type of Berth	Quantity	Length  (m)	Maximum  Draft (m)	Comments
Conventional Berth	1	100	12	Channel width and draft are limiting factors.
Container Berth	N/A
Silo Berth	N/A
Berthing Tugs	N/A
Water Barges	N/A

 
General Cargo Handling Berths 

Cargo Type	Berth Identification
Imports - Bagged Cargo	N/A
Exports - Bagged Cargo
Imports and Exports - RoRo
Other Imports

Port Handling Equipment 

The Port of Asau is currently under the care and jurisdictions of Samoa Ports Authority pursuant to the Ports Authority Act 1999. The port area is defined to include all seas areas within a two (2) mile radius from the main wharf. 

Equipment	Available	Total Quantity and Capacity Available	Comments on Current Condition and Actual Usage
Dockside Crane	N/A
Container Gantries	N/A
Mobile Cranes	N/A
Reachstacker	N/A
RoRo Tugmaster (with Trailer)	N/A
Grain Elevator with Bagging Machines	N/A
Transtainer	N/A
Forklifts	N/A

Container Facilities 

There are no container facilities. 

Facilities	20 ft	40 ft
Container Facilities Available	N/A	N/A
Container Freight Station (CFS)
Refrigerated Container Stations
Other Capacity Details
Daily Take Off Capacity   (Containers per Day)
Number of Reefer Stations   (Connection Points)
Emergency Take-off Capacity
Off take Capacity of Gang Shift   (Containers per Shift)

Customs Guidance 

There are no customs presence and services at the port. 

Terminal Information 

MULTIPURPOSE TERMINAL 

There are no terminals at the port. 

GRAIN AND BULK HANDLING 

There are no grain and bulk handing. 

MAIN STORAGE TERMINAL 

There are no storage terminal at the port. 

Stevedoring 

There are no stevedoring activities. 

Hinterland Information 

N/A 

Port Security 

There is no security at the port, the property is fenced. 

 

Security
ISPS Compliant	N/A
Current ISPS Level   (Level 1 = Normal, Level 2 = Heightened, Level 3 = Exceptional)	N/A
Police Boats	N/A
Fire Engines	N/A