The Navy awarded an $86 million contract yesterday to Guam MACC Builders, a Honolulu joint venture, for wharf improvements at Apra Harbor as the U.S. prepares to move 8,600 Marines from Okinawa to Guam.

The wharf and utilities improvements will increase berthing capacities to load and unload ships that directly support the Marine Corps forces relocation, the Navy said.

"Some of the wharves date from 1945, when the Naval Operating Base was first built to support the fleet," said Capt. Richard Wood, commanding officer, Naval Base Guam. "While the wharves have had minor improvements over the years to keep them serviceable, many are in need of complete renovation to meet the needs of 21st century ships and their operations."

Ships that will dock include those associated with an amphibious readiness group and their combatant escort ships, the Navy said. The projects will be done with the existing on-island labor pool, officials said. 

Guam MACC Builders consists of Watts Constructors, Obayashi Corp., Healy Tibbitts and Webcor Builders.

The work identified under this task order is expected to be completed by August 2013.

The Navy announced a "record of decision" on Sept. 20 to relocate about 8,600 Marines and 9,000 family members from Okinawa to Guam.

The Navy decided to defer a decision on a specific location for an aircraft carrier berth in Apra Harbor and said it will collect additional data on marine resources in the two alternative site locations. The Navy also deferred a decision on the location of training ranges for the Marine Corps forces pending studies relating to the National Historic Preservation Act.