Maritime Investment in Climate Resilient Operations II

active

The proposed development objective (PDO) of Maritime Investments in Climate Resilient Operations II (MICRO2) is to improve the climate resilience and safety of maritime sector in Tuvalu and in case of an eligible crisis or emergency, respond promptly and effectively to it. MICRO2 is part of the Pacific Climate Resilient Transport Program (PCRTP) Series of Projects (SOP), which has four broad pillars that focus on increasing resilience in the transport sector through: (i) utilizing spatial and sector planning tools; (ii) investing in climate resilient infrastructure; (iii) strengthening the enabling environment; and (iv) supporting post-disaster recovery. The value of the programmatic approach is that it will support the systematic improvement of resilience across the countries included within the program to address commonly shared issues. In addition, the program offers a multi-pronged approach to support Tuvalu by considering risks in a wholistic manner, through the integration of resilient maritime infrastructure interventions into decision‐making and implementation.The PDO is to be achieved through the following four components: Component 1: Sectoral and Spatial Planning Tools (US$1.50 million). This Component involves technical assistance for sectoral and spatial planning tools that will improve the way that climate change is addressed in Tuvalu’s maritime sector to enable policymakers to make informed decisions based on the most accurate and up-to-date information available. This component consists of:Component 1.1: Development of spatial planning and risk-based tools (GIS mapping) for infrastructure investments to improve connectivity and climate resilience. Building on the ongoing activities for Nanumanga under MICRO, this component activity will be expanded to include Nukufetau, Nukulaelae, Funafuti, Niutao, and Niulakita. Similarly, this activity will collect and record the location and needs of vulnerable populations to improve preparedness and post-disaster response to climate hazards for persons with disabilities and the elderly in the outer islands. Component 1.2: A health outreach campaign to improve community resilience through the provision of support to the community to understand and manage the issues associated with ensuring a sustainable food supply. A pilot health outreach campaign is currently being implemented in Nanumanga. This component will expand the health outreach campaign to Nukufetau and Nanumea. Activities financed under this component include community health campaign for the communities in Nanumea and Nukufetau. Component 1.3: Technical assistance on maritime sector planning. (i) Climate-informed maritime asset management system: Provision of hardware, software and ancillary tools to establish and maintain a climate-informed maritime asset management system to be used by the Ministry of Public Works, Infrastructure, Environment, Labor, Meteorology and Disaster (MPWIELMD) and Ministry of Transport, Environment and Tourism (MTET). Activities under this component include data collection on physical inventory, freight and passenger traffic counts, safety data and asset condition as well as development of asset management inventory, which will be the first step to prepare a long-term maintenance plan. Training will be provided to relevant staff in the use of the system, and (ii) priority technical assistance to enhance planning capacity of the maritime sector in Tuvalu. Component 2: Integrated Climate Resilient and Safe Maritime Sector Solutions (US$40.0 million) This component involves the design and construction of identified priority maritime access and utility infrastructure to improve the resilience to climate-related hazards and/or extreme events as well as operational safety in the maritime sector. The expected activities include construction of new reef channels and turning basins to accommodate a 10 m workboat, construction of breakwaters to protect the channels and basins from wave action, jetties, small wharves, and concrete ramps for fishing vessels, and installation of aids to bavigation (AtoN). Coastal protection measures to ensure sustainability and resilience of infrastructure may also be financed. In addition, rehabilitation and/or upgrade of access and utility infrastructure linked to these harbors, including access road to harbors, electricity, water, terminals for passengers, and warehousing/storage areas, as well as equipment to improve maritime safety and resilience, would also be considered. The following subcomponents are proposed: Subcomponent 2.1: Nanumanga(a) Workboat harbor. The provision of new safe berthing facilities for a 10 m workboat harbor(b) Associated infrastructure. The construction of (i) a cargo shed/passenger holding areas and (ii) upgrading of the access road between the existing townsite and the proposed harborSubcomponent 2.2: Nanumea(a) Harbor infrastructure extension. Improvement of existing harbor facilities, which include the construction of new (i) passenger holding areas, (ii) cargo/warehouse shed, and (iii) additional berthing areas (suitable for local fishing boats)(b) Associated infrastructure. Upgrading of the access road between the harbor, the Town Center, and the rest of the island. Subcomponent 2.3: Nukufetau(a) Workboat harbor. The provision of new safe berthing facilities for a 10 m workboat harbor(b) Associated infrastructure. The construction of (i) a cargo shed/passenger holding areas and (ii) upgrading of the access road between the existing townsite and the proposed harborSubcomponent 2.4: Maritime Operations Safety and Resilience Improvement. A study on maritime safety improvement under Component 3 will determine the most suitable solution to improve maritime safety and resilience in Tuvalu. The outcome of the study will determine the most appropriate provision of safety equipment to improve health and safety of maritime operations, which may include a 10-m workboat, a small crane, harbor improvements, and other equipment. The parties confirmed their agreement with the components and subcomponents.Component 3: Strengthening Maritime Sector Capacity in Tuvalu (US$5.00 million). Possible activities under this component could include: Component 3.1 Implementation Capacity Building. This component will finance activities that will improve the policy, management and regulation of a climate resilient maritime infrastructure, and provide support to address gender employment gaps and potential sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment concerns related to project implementation. This component will also include a study on the safety improvements on ship-to-ship transfer. The study may also include an assessment of vessel safety and recommendation on vessels in Tuvalu’s context. Technical trainings will be provided to sector agencies and local consultants and contractors to operate and regulate a more climate resilient maritime investmentsComponent 3.2 Project Management Support. This sub-component will finance the provision of technical, advisory, operational, and administrative support to MPWIELMD and the Project Management Unit (PMU) and supervising engineer consultancy. This would include the provision of office space, equipment, supplies, and financial auditing services.Component 4: Contingency Emergency Response (US$0 million). This zero-sum component will finance response to an Eligible Crisis or Emergency, as needed.