Commonwealth Ports Authority

Port of Saipan

• 2,600 linear feet of berthing space
• 22-acre container yard
• Water line and an underground fuel line protected by a concrete vault
• An underground sewage removal system
• Dockside lights for nighttime operation
• Upgrading of the port's electrical system to better accommodate refrigerated containers
• The channel, turning basin, and berthing areas have been widened and deepened to a uniform -40 feet in order to comfortably welcome medium to deep draft vessels into port
• Two fuel storage facilities at the Saipan seaport
• A bulk cement company
• Three freight forwarding companies and three shipping agents
• Sunset cruises, frequent daily ferry services to the island of Tinian and other tenants that offer services for our visitors.
• Equipped with a recently constructed state-of-the-art fire-fighting system using seawater as its source of water
• Improved navigational aids and repositioned harbor buoys to mark the safest route into port with the assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard.
• Two car rental companies available at the seaport for our inter-island travelers.

The Department of Homeland Security through its Port Security Grant Program, granted CPA funds for improvements to the Saipan and Tinian harbors.  These included procurement of new security vessels, purchasing of a new patrol vehicle, installation of a state-of-the-art surveillance system, installation of additional lighting and replacement of the existing perimeter security fence.

CPA is also improving the Saipan Harbor by paving the container yard, paving of parking stalls for the seaport customers and installation of refrigerated power outlets for the containers. 

Thanks to funds from the Department of Homeland Security through its Port Security Grant Program, CPA’s Ports Police Department purchased a brand new 27-foot Boston Whaler.  This vessel, in addition to the newly formed Dive Rescue Team, will enable CPA to enhance their abilities to secure the seaports, as well as the airports.  With these grants, CPA also procured a new patrol vehicle specifically for the seaport. 

With the money received from the Port Security Grants, CPA has begun work on installing surveillance cameras at the harbor, extending the perimeter fencing and installation of additional light poles for better visibility at night.  All of these are required to ensure that security at the seaport is consistent.  CPA received approximately $1.9 million for these projects.

In November 2006, CPA awarded the multi-million dollar Container Yard Paving Project to GPPC, Inc., costing approximately $6.4 million.  The project is scheduled for completion by April 2008.  This project is being funded substantially by revenue bonds and in collaboration with additional rentals from a terminal operator.

This long awaited project was necessary due to the continued flooding that occurs during rainy days.  The entire container yard floods which makes the environment dangerous for personnel operating heavy equipment and causes quicker erosion of the equipment and containers.   The project entails up to 14 inches of Portland Concrete Cement, stormwater drainage systems, extension of the seawater fire fighting system and other related work. 

CPA is also bidding out the paving of the parking stalls and will soon be bidding out the installation of refrigerator outlets and electrical upgrade, in conjunction with the Container Yard Paving project.

CPA has signed a contract with Saipan Crew Boats for the emergency dredging of the Saipan Harbor channel and the removal danger to ocean navigation (DTON) boulders located in the channel.  This project costs approximately $109K.