The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Photo: Google Maps
The US Navy has been directed by the US House of Representatives to provide updates on the port improvements needed on Tinian for the military build-up on the island.
The US House Appropriations Committee order to the Navy came at the behest of Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan, who said rebuilding the port is a long-standing goal of the people of Tinian.
The committee directed the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for energy, installations, and environment to "provide a report, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act".
Sablan said the Navy has already acknowledged the critical importance of the Tinian Port Joint Area Development Plan.
Sablan said appropriators now want to know, more specifically, the major and minor construction projects under consideration by the Navy to support port operations, the design options to maximize training capabilities, coordination efforts with the Commonwealth Ports Authority, and actions the Navy can take to accelerate the port projects.
According to the Tinian Port Working Group's Joint Area Development Concept, dated 10 July 2023, the port was constructed in 1945 by Seabees and no major repairs had been done.
The condition of a breakwater, finger piers, and berths ranges from severely deteriorated, to operational but in need of significant repair.
The Department of Defense's current uses of the port include support for limited training activities and support for Divert Airfield construction.
DoD's future uses of the port include support port expanded training activities, support for refueling for DoD airport fuel storage, and support for future DoD construction.