CPA tackles Navy’s seaport concerns

Citing its significant contributions to the revival of the CNMI’s economy, the Commonwealth Ports Authority is intensifying efforts to improve facilities and services provided to visiting vessels by the United States Navy at the Saipan International Harbor.

Board Chair Roman S. Palacios disclosed a delegation of CPA officials recently met with U.S. Navy officials in Guam where issues surrounding the vessels’ needs and problems upon docking at the Saipan seaport were discussed.

CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas, Saipan seaport manager Tony B. Cabrera and CPA Board Member Frank Guerrero met with COMNAV Marianas Commander Mike Dodge, Lt. Aaron Gates, Water Front operations manager for Raytheon Guam Jerry Hammond and marine transportation officer Dick Riddle.

CPA and U.S. Navy officials, according to Mr. Palacios, discussed military vessels’ logistic needs and problems upon visiting the Northern Marianas.

A report from the CPA Board Seaport Facilities Committee stated that certain problems were made known during the meeting, including arrangements on the excessive port charges that the U.S. Navy thought were submitted by the ports authority.

CPA earlier this year sealed a technical agreement with the U.S. Navy for the installation of a major source of power at the Saipan International Harbor, in anticipation of the arrival of more military vessels into the CNMI for rest and recreation.

The agreement paved the road for the installation of two high voltage transformers at the dock site for use by naval vessels. The original masterplan for the Saipan International Harbor excludes the placement of major power sources for vessels docked at the facility.

The power sources have been installed without additional cost from the ports authority, mainly because of the technical agreement with the U.S. Navy.

The Navy has earmarked funds under the technical agreement which, aside from the power source, also includes telephone posts, high tension lines, cables and big step-down transformers that will provide power from the ground to the dock site.

The ports authority management is still yet to come up with a final decision on proposals to install a permanent power supply at the newly-rehabilitated Saipan seaport.

Two U.S. military vessels called Port of Saipan for rest and recreation in August. Last month, the USS Belleau Wood, an 820-foot naval ship, visited Saipan, as well as military submarine USS Houston.

No passenger ocean liner called the Port of Saipan last month except for a small yacht with 34 passengers, which arrived from Guam and departed for the Republic of Palau.

With its newly refurbished international harbor on Saipan, CPA is also hoping to lure tourists traveling by sea which is expected to grow by 10 percent within the year.

Officials anticipate a 10 percent increase in the cruise liner industry this year, and a continued growth in the next 20 years. In North America alone, there are 2.5 million travelers. Of this, 80 percent are repeaters and 40 percent go elsewhere to Vancouver, Alaska, Europe, Japan and other regions.