KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews) — A dispute over the value of Malakal Port in Palau is threatening to derail a major national project tied to U.S. military expansion.
With a $45 million gap between appraisals, can Palau’s national government and Koror State find common ground — or is a forced takeover looming?
“The $60 million appraisal is bogus,” President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. said, as negotiations between the national government and the Koror State Government over the proposed purchase of Malakal Port stalled over sharply differing valuations.
The dispute centers on the national government’s push to acquire the port for $15 million, far below the $60 million valuation commissioned by Koror State.
The acquisition is a key step in a broader plan to expand and upgrade Malakal Port for joint use by the Republic of Palau and the United States military. Under the proposal, the national government would purchase the port from Koror State and then transfer it to the U.S military for improvements and shared operations.
Koror State hired an independent appraiser, which placed the port’s value at $60 million. During an April 2 meeting between Koror State’s elected and traditional leaders and national officials, Whipps publicly rejected that figure, questioning its credibility.
Port appraisals typically consider factors such as structural integrity, operational capacity and strategic importance. For Malakal Port, this includes its role as the country’s primary gateway for goods, the condition of its wharf, vessel draft depth, storage capacity, and the impact of planned upgrades such as dredging and new bulkheads.
Koror State currently leases the port, generating about $300,000 annually. Officials note that the facility has seen no major recent upgrades and that assessments indicate aging infrastructure requiring significant repairs.
Still, many Koror State residents voiced frustration at the national government’s lower valuation during the meeting. While the proposed $15 million represents a one-time purchase price, the current arrangement allows the state to retain ownership and receive steady rental income.
In an effort to bridge the gap, Koror State leaders suggested alternatives, including increasing the state’s annual block grant by $300,000 in addition to any purchase payment.
If negotiations fail, the national government could pursue eminent domain to acquire the port at its proposed value. Another round of talks is scheduled for later this week.
