The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Harbours Division has announced it is moving forward with Phase 2 of the Kapalama Container Terminal (KCT) project at Honolulu Harbour.

Work began on a new terminal for Honolulu in 2018, after the HDOT announced a reshuffle that will see TOTE and Pasha operate at the new KCT, while Matson will expand into Pasha’s existing site.

Phase I of the KCT project includes the landside construction and adds 65.5 acres of container yard space, entry and exit gates, security fencing, parking, on-site utilities, lighting, and a weigh station. Work began in January 2018 and is on time and on budget, with an early scheduled completion date set for summer of 2020 at a cost of US$163 million.

Phase 2 includes the waterside construction to add 1,800 linear feet of new berth at Piers 40-43, which is enough for two container ships to dock simultaneously and up to six gantry cranes, and an additional 18.5 acres of hardened operational area next to the berths. Dredging includes work at the berths and in the channel, plus widening the existing slips between Piers 40 and 43.

HDOT has now advertised for bids for Phase 2 with the anticipated bid opening scheduled for February 2020. The estimated cost is US$200-300M million and the work is anticipated to be complete in 2023.

“Positive improvements are underway at our commercial harbours that will enhance operations for the harbour users, which ultimately benefits the public as a whole,” said Deputy Director Derek Chow, Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbours Division. “This project is especially exciting because it will help address our capacity issues and meet the growing economic demands for the long term, that when complete, overseas transfers of containers to the interisland carrier will reduce traffic around the harbour’s surrounding roads.”