US to rehabilitate postwar dock in Palau to boost military readiness in the region

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

Peleliu—The U.S. Department of Defense proposes to rehabilitate an 80-year-old dock in Palau to enhance the U.S. military forces’ capabilities in the region.

According to Joint Task Force Micronesia, the $12 million project for the postwar Peleliu South Dock is "one of several U.S. Pacific Fleet-led infrastructure improvement projects in Palau that support U.S. Indo-Pacific Command posture initiatives to ensure operational readiness in the region."

Peleliu South Dock was originally constructed by U.S. Navy Seabees in 1945 following the U.S. Marine Corps landing on the island during World War II.

According to the task force, the proposed renovation project would be led by Marines and Navy Seabees under the 30th Naval Construction Regiment.

The work is anticipated to begin by the end of 2025 and be completed within two years.

Palau and Peleliu state officials joined the U.S. Department of Defense at two public meetings this week to brief Palauan citizens about the scope and timelines of the proposed project.

The meetings, held in Peleliu on Aug. 12 and Koror on Aug. 14,  provided opportunities for residents to ask questions and share comments that will influence and become part of the environmental impact statement.

According to the task force, the proposed project would restore the channel width and depth to their original 1945 dimensions, which would improve the existing South Dock wharves and laydown areas.

Specifications would adhere to Palau standards and support U.S. military requirements, meeting defense obligations under the Compact of Free Association and enabling the DoD to fulfill mission requirements in the Indo-Pacific region.

The project is intended to provide infrastructure capable of supporting larger watercraft, including local barges. This shared-use facility would be suitable for use in all tidal conditions, improving upon existing limitations during low tide.

Planned work includes the removal of deteriorated and unusable World War II-era steel pier structures.

It also includes vegetation clearance and grading of a beach area, dredging to the original 12-foot below low-tide line, and installation of aids to navigation to increase safety in the harbor entrance and channel in accordance with specifications from the Palau Bureau of Marine Transportation.

The project also incorporates shoreline stabilization, a quay wall wharf with a roll-on/roll-off boat ramp, and construction of a public boat ramp to support safe launch and recovery of small craft for residents.

Officials assured residents that while the project is intended to facilitate the military’s requirements, it would also provide significant benefits to the local community, such as widening access to Peleliu.

“Twenty-four-hour access is really important for business people, fishermen and all people in Peleliu,” said Charles I. Obichang, Palau’s minister of public infrastructure. “In an emergency, we won’t have to wait until high tide to bring big vessels in and out of the South Dock."

Obichang noted the limitations of the existing structure, which he said is failing.

"The South Dock improvements are essential to loading and unloading heavy equipment and materials,” he added.

Naval Facilities and Engineering Command planners and engineers said the various phases of the project were planned to ensure minimal disruptions to dock operations and mitigate any environmental impact.

Officials said environmental and cultural resource surveys have been completed by a Palau-based environmental company, which is also preparing the environmental impact statement consistent with Palau's regulations.

The field surveys included identification and cataloging of marine and terrestrial habitats, biodiversity and cultural areas of significance.

There will also be strict oversight during construction to include environmental monitors to ensure the mitigation measures remain effective.

An area identified to contain historical artifacts would be avoided completely to preserve Palauan history for future generations.

“The Peleliu South Dock improvements will provide great benefit and safety to the local community,” John Burke, environmental planning lead for U.S. Pacific Fleet, said.

“We look forward to sharing the new facilities with the people of Peleliu.”

A strategic partner, Palau’s position is crucial in projecting U.S. military power and presence, and for monitoring sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific region.

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