Port Overview

The port of Yap is operated through the State Government Department of Public Works and Transportation who has responsibility for both the seaports and airports throughout Yap. 

The port consists of a single main dock for international freight inside a security perimeter with two public accessible domestic docks close adjacent to the international dock.  

Freight through the terminal is almost exclusively container freight with the exception of vehicles. No bulk break cargo is moved unless it is in an LCL container, bulk or bagged commodities are received or handled internationally. Bulk break goods are however handled on domestic shipping legs. 

Main dock infrastructure is poor with cyclone damaged warehouses and structures in disrepair. Handling equipment is in fair to poor condition. Terminal services are provided by a private company undertaking stevedoring and freight handling. 

Port website: NA 

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

Port Picture

• Domestic Dock
• Fisheries Dock
• Gate
• Stevedores
• Transit warehouse
• Container storage
• Main dock
• RoRo Ramp

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

Yap Department of Transport and Public Works are responsible for the administration and regulations of Colonia Port. However, all port operations are contracted out to private companies. 

WAAB is the main contractor and is responsible for all terminal services and stevedoring. Piloting services are available through WAAB and carrier agents through a subcontracted pilot.  

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

Port Performance

The port handles approximately 3- 5 cargo vessels per month almost exclusively container freight with Mariana Express Line Ltd and Kyowa line providing scheduled services to Yap. The dock is situated at Colonia. With the main dock covering 264m. The dock can accommodate vessels up to 500ft. 

Containers must all be unloaded by ship’s gantry crane as no container cranes are available at the dock. Containers can generally be unloaded at 6-10 per hour.  

The port is not congested but the limited amount of handling equipment available at the port could leave the port vulnerable in times of high need. Port handling equipment is in poor condition with only a small amount available with major equipment undergoing repairs. 

Transit warehouse facilities were also in poor condition with walls and ceiling exposed due to the damage caused in 2006 by Typhoon Ester. Apart from the removal of debris no further repair or reconstruction has been undertaken.  The minimal level and poor condition of large handling equipment is a potential bottleneck in the event of an emergency. 

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following table:

Berthing Specifications

A concrete RoRo Berth is available at the eastern end of the port which is easily able to handle RoRo ramp vessel up to 500MT load capacity

General Cargo Handling Berths

Port Handling Equipment

The port equipment is owned and managed by WAAB - a private operator. The handling equipment is in poor condition with a single top lifter available but constantly under repair before use. Smaller forklifts for movement of palletized freight are available and in fair condition. 

The top lifter moves all containers from dockside to storage and loads all tractor trailers for delivery. consignees can also unload containers in the storage area in lieu of delivery  

There are no tug masters, and all containers are stacked and loaded directly upon the delivery equipment (being trailer chassis) by the single top lifter WAAB maintains a single prime mover/tractor for delivery.  

Container Facilities

While almost all freight moving through the port is in containers the port has no dedicated container facility and operates as a general port. 

Customs Guidance

As with all states in the FSM Customs is nationally controlled and regulated through the Department of Finance and Tax Administration. DFTA Customs officers are based in at the adjacent near the YCA building attend the port upon the arrival of each vessel. Attendance at the port is dependent on the schedule otherwise customs is located at the Government administration buildings between 8am-5pm M-F 

Standard shipment documentation is required to clear customs and is processed at the port at state level. For tax and duty exemption the procedure is to obtain the exemption letter for humanitarian goods through DECEM and the Dept of Transport and Infrastructure in Palikir and for such an exemption letter to be provided with the clearance documentation at the port level ideally prior to the arrival of the shipment.  

Clearance time for consignment is 24-48 hours and humanitarian goods will be prioritized in an emergency provided correct documentation is complete 

For more information on customs in Micronesia, please see the following link: 1.3 Micronesia Customs Information.  

Terminal Information

Multipurpose Terminal

Yap port is essentially a general terminal and all vessel must be compatible and equipped with the ability to load and unload i.e. Gantry cranes for containers or bulk break or bagged or ramped vessels for vehicle loading on to the flat dock.  

There is one main general dock at 264m x 20m wide. A concrete RoRo ramp is situated outside the main dock adjacent to the east end of Dock A for use with front ramp landing craft. 

Grain and Bulk Handling

No faclilities.

Main Storage Terminal

Storage at the terminal is poor and cannot be expected to be used in an emergency as it can only handle small amounts of freight. Damage to the building caused by cyclones has rendered the building exposed to the elements. 

Stevedoring

While the port operation falls under the Department of Public Works and Transport stevedoring services are provided by a single private company WAAB which undertakes all terminal services. WAAB also provide services as a shipping agent and local transport services. WAAB offices are located at the dock in the transit warehouse. 

All ships operating at the port require gantry cranes to load/unload all container freight. The Kyowa line uses RoRo vessels for the shipment of vehicles which also fall under the responsibility of WAAB 

Stevedoring services are mechanical as are terminal services and the labour component is for the unstuffing of containers. During an emergency additional labour can be provided by the Dept of Public Works and Transport if needed. 

Hinterland Information

The private Terminal services operator WAAB also provides distribution services through the use of container chassis. Containers are delivered to customers and dropped at the consignee’s site. Consignees have 10 days after vessel departure to unload containers. WAAB own 1 x prime mover /tractor and no trailers. MELL Shipping owns 5 trailers and Matson Shipping owns 5 trailers which are all towed buy WAAB. There is only 1 x 40’ trailer available. 

Demurrage is charged after 10 days at the following rates 

 20’ container USD4.00 day/unit 

40”container USD6.25 day/unit 

There are no side loading container chassis available so all containers that require unloading at the site require forklifts to unload. The 25MT forklift can be hired at USD$175/hour 

Port Security

Micronesia is not signatory to the ISPS Code; however, the U.S. has invested resources to assist the Federated States of Micronesia build the capacity to implement the ISPS Code to increase merchant trade.  

Yap Port operates under ISPS guidelines and has recently undertaken an inspection (January 2018) While the results are unknown at the time of writing there was verbal acknowledgment from the Port Manager of some minor breaches. 

Entry to the Port requires photo ID which is held by security during the visit. The port is only accessible to persons involved in the collection of freight. It is also common for containers to be unloaded in the port area onto private transport as such despite the small volume the port is open to traffic for such purposes.