Luganville Wharf

A new report has built on security fears reported last year that the wharf could be used as a naval base by China.

The concerns came in a recent review of China's Belt and Road initiative by researchers at thinktank the Center for a New American Security.

Scrutiny of the China-funded wharf revamp in Luganville last year prompted Vanuatu to strongly deny reports it could be taken over by Beijing.

Vanuatu's government was also forced to disclose there was no debt-swap agreement in the deal.

The new wharf is the longest wharf in the island states of South Pacific. It has the capacity to accommodate three ships compare the old one which can only receive one.

Luganville wharf has been until today considered the country's main port of export.

However, with the new wharf it is expected to receive more cruise ships than before.

Following the construction of the new wharf, there will also be the construction of more than two big hotels in Luganville.

Photo by Government of Vanuatu 

Wayne Huang of Shanghai Construction Group made the assurance as a giant vessel and barges packed with equipment and material arrived in Luganville for the project.

The Luganville Wharf is to be extended by 80 metres.

The 230 metre long vessel, the Zhenhua 22, raised eyebrows in the Santo town when it submerged to allow the barges to float ashore over the weekend.

Mr Huang says the Zhenhua is one of very few in the world and it was its first operation in the Pacific.