Solomon Islands says US in talks to fund Bina Harbour port

The United States is in advanced talks to finance Bina Harbour, a deep-water port in Solomon Islands, Prime Minister Matthew Wale said after talks in Washington.

Wale said US officials had given a “firm commitment, subject to details” to fund a wharf, power, fuel storage and roads at the harbour. He said Bina was a critical project.

Solomon Islands has long wanted to develop Bina Harbour for commercial and international shipping and to support its tuna industry by opening a canning factory. Washington and Canberra had feared China could build a dual-use military and civilian port there after Chinese construction companies were reported to have lobbied previous Solomon Islands governments over the project.

The US International Development Finance Corporation has signed memorandums with several South Pacific countries since May. US officials said Vanuatu and Solomon Islands signed with the agency to explore infrastructure projects.

A DFC official said the agency was open for business in Solomon Islands and was exploring opportunities to invest alongside private capital, but declined to comment on specific projects.

A previous Solomon Islands government signed a secret security pact with China in 2022 and a fisheries deal with China National Fisheries Corporation a year later. Wale was elected prime minister in May after pledging change and has visited Canberra, Washington and Tokyo seeking investment support.