Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Port Administration of American Samoa (PAAS) has finalized the execution plan for the American Samoa Seaports Master Plan, establishing an 8-task analytical framework alongside dedicated inter-island and federal agency alignment initiatives. Developed in partnership with lead consultant HDR Engineering, Inc. and local partner ARC Consulting LLC, the project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) RAISE Program. 

Building upon the Territory's broader Seaport Vision 2030 initiatives, the Master Plan will conduct objective facility condition assessments, model port capacity, and project 5-, 10-, and 20-year demand scenarios. The study will evaluate costs and phasing to ensure all proposed infrastructure projects are actionable, cost-effective, and positioned to compete successfully for federal grants and financing. Core 8-Task Analytical Framework: 

● Task 1: Project Management, Data Collection & On-Island Kick-off: On-island site visits, infrastructure condition assessments, and the creation of a living Opportunities & Constraints Drawing maintained across all 9 months. 
● Task 2: Market Analysis & Cargo Forecast: 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year projections broken down by cargo type under low, mid, and high growth scenarios. 
● Task 3: Capacity & Needs Assessment: Port capacity modeling utilizing HDR’s proprietary PRISM tool to screen up to four land-use concept options via multi-criteria evaluation. 
● Task 4: Inland Connections & Network Integration: Analysis of travel times, truck haul routes, roadway choke points, and inter-island ferry integration. 
● Task 5: Recommended Projects & 10-Year Descriptions: Sequenced capital projects incorporating 10-year detailed descriptions, including layouts, cost estimates, risk assessments, permitting requirements, and safety/security technologies. 
● Task 6: Capital Improvement Program (CIP): A 20-year land-use CIP paired with a detailed 5-to-10-year project execution schedule matching projects to federal grant timelines and local match requirements. 
● Task 7: Economic & Social Impact Analysis: Quantification of direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts, job creation, cost-of-goods reductions, and community connectivity. 
● Task 8: Final Master Plan & Executive Deliverables: Comprehensive final report, executive presentation decks, and high-resolution renderings presented in person to PAAS and territory leaders. 
Territory-Wide Scope & Federal Alignment To ensure balanced development across the Territory, the study incorporates two specialized project tracks: 
● Additional Task A — Outer Port Impact Analysis: Evaluates existing and future infrastructure projects across all outer island seaport and ferry facilities—including Auasi, Aunu'u, Ofu, Olosega, Faleasao, Ta'u, Leone, Pala Lagoon, and Fagaitua—to guarantee Pago Pago Harbor is properly sized and equipped to serve regional maritime traffic. 
● Additional Task B — Two-Stage Federal Agency Engagement Forums: Establishes direct engagement with key funding agencies early in the planning process to streamline future grant approvals. 

○ Forum 1 (U.S. West Coast): 1-day session introducing PAAS and the Pago Pago Seaport to key federal agencies, presenting initial project lists, and identifying grant match requirements. 
○ Forum 2 (Pago Pago, American Samoa): 3-day forum in the Territory featuring draft plan presentations and guided tours of port facilities in Pago Pago, Auasi, Aunu'u, and outer port locations. 

"By grounding our planning in rigorous data modeling and proactive federal agency engagement, we are ensuring our seaport investments are fully fundable and built to federal standards," stated PAAS Director Barney Sene. "Sizing Pago Pago Harbor to support all our outer island facilities will strengthen our supply chain and deliver lasting economic benefits across Tutuila and the Manu'a Islands." 

Ongoing Stakeholder Consultation & Meeting Requests Stakeholder consultation sessions and site visits with the HDR consultant team are currently taking place in American Samoa through September 30, 2026. 

Commercial operators, shipping agents, government agencies, and community organizations who wish to arrange a consultation session or meeting with the project team while they are on-island are encouraged to reach out: Project Point of Contact: Natalia Palamo, Engineering Senior Manager Email: natalia.palamo@pa.as.gov | Phone: +1 (684) 699-9101 or +1 (684) 733-4548