Honolulu Harbor’s container yard upgrade begins

In 2008, Pier 29 suffered structural failures that rendered the cargo yard virtually unusable. Reconstruction will add approximately twelve acres of upgraded cargo yard as well as new drainage, water, lighting, sewer, fire protection and electrical systems. When completed, the project will increase Honolulu Harbor’s cargo capacity by creating more space for commercial operations.

The project was selected to receive US$24.5m in federal stimulus funds through the federal TIGER Discretionary Grant Programme, which seeks to promote economic recovery by preserving and creating jobs through investment in transportation infrastructure. The work is expected to be completed by February 2012 at a total cost of approximately US$29m.

The Port of Hawaii currently ranks 91st in Container Management’s World Top Container Ports. In 2009 teu throughput at Honolulu Harbour declined by 7% to just over 1m teu. For 2010 the forecast is for a further fall in volumes to around 950,000 teu.