Sequestered away in the South Pacific, the island nation of Tonga is one of the most remote countries on Earth. With a population of just over 100,000 people, the country is heavily reliant on imports from overseas for daily life, 98% being seaborne freight. Because of this, access to the sea is vital for Tonga’s survival.
The Queen Sālote International Wharf (QSIW) is a major artery for inbound cargo arriving in Tonga, but the wharf, and specifically its hardstand, was badly in need of an upgrade. Improvements were needed to help the wharf withstand the constant onslaught of the sea and extreme weather events. However, the capacity to produce the industrial pavers needed for this project was not available in the country. On top of that, and significant increases in shipping costs during the COVID-19 pandemic added to the expense of any redevelopment works.
To overcome this, the client had to call on a supplier more than 3,000 kilometres away: Adbri, a CRH joint venture in Australia.
Following extensive testing and iteration, beginning in 2023, the Adbri team used their technical knowledge to develop a new 80mm concrete paver. This was thinner than and lighter than the standard 100mm paver, while still being strong enough to withstand the incredible stresses that come with heavy cargo being loaded and unloaded by machinery on the wharf.
All told, Adbri supplied 1.4 million of these thinner pavers to the project, which saved 1,600 tonnes of shipping – and associated costs - for the project, due to finish in late 2025. Given the limited capacity of both Adbri’s masonry yard and the job site, these pavers had to be made and shipped to Tonga continuously throughout the project, a massive logistical undertaking. This way, Adbri helped the vital wharf remain open during construction, while retaining enough production capacity to supply its customers in Australia.
