A visit of DOWHA Engineering Co Ltd the design consultants concluded last Friday after visiting Tarawa for 4 days to discuss the concept design for the Bairiki wharf rehabilitation project. The visit includes a courtesy meeting upon arrival of the team on the 15th September 2026 bringing together representatives from the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (MFOR) and the PMC, (Hong-IK Engineering & Consultants).

The meeting provided an important opportunity for the DOWHA design team to engage with MFOR and gain a better understanding of the Ministry’s operational needs and expectations for the proposed Bairiki Wharf. Discussions covered the concept design, site conditions, operational requirements, technical and regulatory considerations, permitting, and climate-resilient design requirements.

On the 17th September, DOWHA Engineering Company also had the opportunity to meet key authorities, particularly the Kiribati Ports Authority (KPA) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE), to better understand local requirements and ensure that the proposed concept design is appropriate and can be further developed into a practical and detailed design.

The meeting marks an important step in progressing the detailed design of the Bairiki Wharf and strengthening coordination among the project partners and relevant stakeholders. The meeting was attended by OIC Teerere Tioti (on the 15th Sep) and OIC Tieri  (17th Sept) and Director Taati from MFOR, Project Manager Mr. Joo Sik Kim from the PMC, and DOWHA Engineers Mr. Nahmo Jeong and Mr. Dogyun Hwan.

MFOR sincerely appreciates the continued partnership of the Government of Korea, Korea ODA Desk, PMC and DOWHA Engineering Co., Ltd., in supporting sustainable fisheries infrastructure development and strengthening national capacity in Kiribati.