by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The Port Authority modernization program must be reviewed by the governor in order for successful implementation of the plan. The transition report focuses on several issues of concern for the port including the need for a better defined relationship between the agency and the Maritime Administration and the need to immediately resolve the relocation of a fuel line.

Port general manager Pedro Leon Guerrero says negotiations are underway to determine who will pay for the fuel line relocating that he says must be done before the port can begin phase one of its modernization effort. "The tri-star fuel line runs underneath our container yard and the previous board and management agreed that we need to get those lines relocated otherwise in the future if something happened to those lines and needed some work then the operations of the port could be hampered so we have been having discussions with tri-star," he said.

Phase I is projected to begin later this year and cost $105 million, which the agency has said may be insufficient. Additionally, the agency is trying to resolve its procurement management contract, which is currently under protest.