By Pacific island Times News Staff
Sumitomo Matsui Construction Co. will soon begin the construction of the Port Authority of Guams' $46 million Hotel Wharf construction project touted to support military readiness by facilitating the operations of defense assets at the port.
Officials said the development of the H-Wharf increases vessel berth capacity for cargo and cruise ships allowing for future homeporting of cruise liners.
"With the impending military buildup and the need to ensure the port remains capable of providing full service to ocean vessels in support of loading and unloading cargo, our administration provided whatever financial resources we could use to push this project forward,” Gov. Leon Guerrero said during a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday.
The project is funded through grants from the American Rescue Plan, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program matched with funds from the port authority's revenue bond.
Leon Gurrero said she has directed the port authority to freeze its tariff rates for the next two fiscal years to help to stabilize the prices of goods.
Officials said the completed project will add over 500 feet of usable wharf water frontage to the port’s footprint.
ADVERTISEMENT
"This will redirect vessels arriving that do not require the use of gantry cranes such as those with construction materials, roll-on or roll-off operations, and cruise liners away from the main cargo terminal. The anticipated completion of this project is 790 days after the notice to proceed," states a press release from the governor's office.
“We are pursuing every opportunity for DOD and the Department of Transportation to become major benefactors in our acquisition of three new STS gantry cranes, replacement of yard equipment, rehabilitation of its wharves and aging facilities, and meeting its alternate fuel storage here in the Pacific," Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio said.
Subscribe to
our digital
monthly edition