Solomon Islands: Government highly likely to tighten sufferance wharves regulation and customs oversight

11 Aug

Around 3 August, media reporting indicated that Cabinet had yet to decide on the future of sufferance wharves amid disagreement over whether Goodwood Wharf at Ranadi should close while Leeroy Port remains operational. Infrastructure Development Minister Ricky Fuo'o said the Cabinet was awaiting legal advice from the Attorney-General. The issue follows the previous Government's 2025 decision to place Leeroy Port under the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA), close private sufferance wharves, and review the Ports Act. In August 2025, former Finance Minister Harry Kuma suspended all sufferance wharves over concerns about Customs oversight, International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) compliance, revenue losses, and national security. Succeeding Finance Minister Trevor Manemahaga revoked the suspension on 4 September and established a taskforce to review the wharves. Separately, around 7 August 2026, Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification Minister Derrick Rawcliff Manuari announced plans for the Government to acquire up to a 25% stake in major mining projects and reduce electricity costs to approximately AUD$0.21 (SBD$1.20) per kilowatt-hour. Proposed reforms would require royalties to be paid before mineral exports, reserve alluvial mining for Solomon Islanders, and increase landowner participation, while energy reforms would expand renewable power, including hydropower, solar and mini-grids, and improve electricity pricing.

Assessment: The Government is likely to tighten regulation and state oversight of port operations, similar to other recent measures increasing state control over the natural resources sector (see SPI 50, 17–30 June 2026). Sufferance wharves are likely to face stricter operating requirements and more restrictive Customs controls.

Sources: Joses Saren, “Government to take 25 percent stake in mining, cut power costs,” Island Sun, 7 August 2026; Eddie Osifelo, “Cabinet to make d ecision on Sufferance wharves,” Solomon Star, 3 August 2026; John Houanihau, “RIFT OVER WHARVES,” Island Sun,12 September 2025.