Queens Wharf Rehabilitation Project, Fiji

The Queens Wharf Rehabilitation Project at the Port of Lautoka, Fiji, illustrates how material transport and supply chain constraints can influence infrastructure projects in Small Island Developing States. Electrochemical chloride extraction using GreenTech Shield (GTS) was applied on Queen’s Wharf from September 2023 to May 2025 (WPSP, n.d.). The project is reported to have highlighted the challenges associated with sourcing, transporting and managing specialized materials and resources in a remote island environment.

The Port of Lautoka is Fiji's largest port for handling bulk cargo and handles a diverse range of cargo critical to the national economy. Maintaining operational continuity during rehabilitation was therefore essential. However, the island location created additional challenges beyond the technical aspects of repairing aging infrastructure. Many of the specialized materials, equipment and skills required for marine rehabilitation works were not readily available within Fiji, necessitating importation from overseas sources.

A significant challenge identified during the project was the limited availability of specialist marine construction contractors and materials within the Pacific region. MCM Fiji, part of MCM Group, was engaged for the repairs (MCM Group, n.d.) and mobilized specialized equipment, foremen, supervisors and technical experts necessary to complete repairs in accordance with project specifications.

The transportation of these resources introduces substantial logistical and financial implications. Unlike major continental ports that can access extensive domestic supply networks, island ports often rely on international shipping to obtain construction materials and technical equipment. In island settings, imported materials typically increase project costs through freight charges, customs processes, shipping schedules, accommodation requirements for specialist personnel and the mobilization and demobilization of equipment.

These challenges demonstrate the importance of considering material transport as part of project planning and material selection decisions. In remote island environments, the true cost of material extends well beyond its purchase price. Factors such as shipping distance, transport reliability, import lead times and the availability of future replacement products can significantly influence lifecycle project costs. As a result, materials and repair technologies that reduce future maintenance requirements can provide substantial long-term benefits by minimizing the need for repeated imports and contractor mobilization.

This was demonstrated through the project’s adoption of Greentech Shield (GTS) Technology. Initially, the rehabilitation specifications required galvanic anodes to be installed around concrete repair areas to prevent ongoing reinforcement corrosion. However, due to the large quantity of repairs required, the supply and installation of galvanic anodes would have generated significant costs, including those associated with sourcing and transporting the products to Fiji. The contractor proposed the use of the GTS system as a value-engineering alternative. Beyond delivering immediate cost savings, the technology provided enhanced long-term corrosion mitigation by extracting chlorides from the concrete and reducing future deterioration (PIANC, 2026, p.84).

In the context of an island nation where replacement materials and specialist contractors must often be imported, reducing future intervention requirements offers significant operational and financial advantages.

The project also highlights how remoteness can amplify the risks associated with infrastructure maintenance. Delays in obtaining specialized materials or equipment can extend construction schedules, particularly when repair works are being undertaken within an operational port. For island ports that serve as critical gateways for national imports and exports, prolonged disruption can have broader economic impacts. Consequently, selecting durable materials and rehabilitation methods that minimize future maintenance demands becomes particularly important.

The Queens Wharf Rehabilitation Project demonstrates that material transport considerations are a critical component of infrastructure delivery in small island developing states. Importing specialized contractors, equipment and repair materials is a common logistical constraint for remote island ports. The case study reinforces the importance of considering not only the technical performance of construction materials but also their transport requirements, availability and long-term maintenance implications. By adopting rehabilitation solutions that extend asset life and reduce future repair needs, port authorities can minimize the frequency of importing materials and specialist resources, ultimately improving the economic and environmental sustainability of port infrastructure management in remote island environments.