Port Overview 

Mulifanua is a village on the north-western tip of the island of Upolu, in Samoa. In the modern era, it is the capital of Aiga-i-le-Tai district. Mulifanua wharf is the main ferry terminal for inter-island vehicle and passenger travel across the Apolima Strait between Upolu and the island of Savai'i. 

The ferry terminal at Mulifanua wharf is five minutes west of Faleolo International Airport. The government's Samoa Shipping Corporation operates the ferry service, seven days a week, between Mulifanua and Salelologa at the east end of Savai'i island. A one-way trip between the two islands takes about 90 minutes.  

In 2018 Mulifanua had an upgrade completed on the passenger and bus terminal. As a result of drifting sand, dredging operation is being planned to maintain channel width and depth.   

 

The Samoa Port Authority manages the Mulifanua port which previously under the management of the Samoa Shipping Corporation. 

There are several small shops selling snacks, and there are always buses and taxis available at the terminal for departures and arrivals.  

 

Port website: https://www.ssc.ws/  

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

 

Port Location and Contact
Country	Samoa
Province or District	Upolu Island, Aiga-i-le-Tai district
Nearest Town or City  with Distance from Port	Mulifanua (Village at the port)
Port's Complete Name	Port of Mulifanua
Latitude	-13.830154
Longitude	-172.036398
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, 11/06/2023) 

 

1 Ro-Ro Wharf 2. Samoa Shipping Corporation (SSC) office 3. Ferry terminal buildings 

 

4. Car park 5. Loading/unloading area for ferry. 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies 

The management of the Mulifanua port is with the Samoa Ports Authority effective from October 2022.   

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

Port Performance 

The port is used for Roll-on and Roll-off inter-island ferry service.  

Seasonal Constraints
	Occurs	Time Frame
Rainy Season	No	N/a
Major Import Campaigns	No	N/a
Other Comments

 

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

 

Handling Figures Bulk and Break Bulk for N/A
Bulk (MT)	N/A
Break bulk (MT)	N/A

Berthing Specifications 

Type of Berth	Quantity	Length  (m)	Maximum  Draft (m)	Comments
Conventional Berth	1	45	5
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 Samoa Port Authority manages the Mulifanua port effective from October 2022, previously under the Samoan Shipping Corporation. 

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. 

 

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