PNG Ports serves the nation’s needs for the transportation of goods and people and acts as Papua New Guinea’s gateway to the world as the primary national port facilities provider. It is a State Owned Entity (SOE) whose ownership is vested in trust with the Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) on behalf of the Government of PNG. Read More
PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNG Ports) has welcomed the China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) for expanding its services to PNG.
COSCO Shipping Lines, the world’s largest integrated shipping group and third largest container shipping line, will now service PNG with bi-monthly vessel calls through Inchcape Shipping Services as its local PNG agents.
The maiden voyage into PNG was container ship, Hansa Cloppenburg, who called at the Lae Port yesterday (Thursday October 8) at 1125hrs. Tokyo Trader will follow on October 25 under the twice-a-month arrangement between Inchcape Shipping and COSCO Shipping.
Managing Director of PNG Ports, Fego Kiniafa, welcomed the bi-monthly service and commended COSCO for using its global network and introducing a new shipping service to the country.
“As the premier port services provider and owner of the international port facilities in the country, PNG Ports welcomes COSCO and thanks Inchcape,” Mr Kiniafa said.
“PNG Ports remains committed to working with COSCO and Inchcape, as we all work together to maintain the flow of goods in and out of the country.”
“We acknowledge the reputation and standing COSCO has within the (shipping) industry and look forward to providing efficient service that is on par with standard global practices, including fast turnaround times.”
“Our country also has a strong relationship with China in terms of trade and as such partnerships enhances these connections.”
The service is part of COSCO’s China/South Pacific service, which will offer fortnightly service connections between China and the South Pacific islands.
COSCO shipping owns and operates 403 container vessels and ranks 3rd place in the world in terms of shipping capacity. It services 401 shipping routes, of which 255 are international services to 356 ports in 105 countries worldwide.
Inchcape is one of the world’s leading maritime services providers with some 300 offices across 66 countries. In PNG, Inchape covers Kavieng, Kimbe, Lae, Rabaul, Wewak, Kumul Marine Terminal, Bialla, Basamuk, Madang, Manus and Alotau.
Consort Express Lines signs two-year agreement with PNG Ports Corporation
Consort Express Lines has signed a two-year agreement with PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNG Ports), committing to use PNG Ports facilities for its scheduled liner services in all locations where PNG Ports operates.
“A partnership with PNG Ports Corporation makes sense with our shared focus on safety, security and long-term approach to PNG,” says Consort Express Lines’ General Manager Thomas Bellamy, “and while there are other reliable port operators in country there is no other that maintains and manages port facilities country-wide.”
Mr Bellamy commented that shipping volumes have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in the same vein as PNG businesses in general and that it is “an additional bonus to be able to put the domestic container volume carried by Consort through PNG Ports Corporation facilities at a time when revenues are under pressure”.
PNG Port’s Managing Director Fego Kiniafa says PNG Ports is pleased to have entered this partnership with Consort Express Lines which will benefit all Papua New Guineans.
“I would like to thank Consort for its confidence in PNG Ports as a reputable state-owned enterprise and for sealing our association with Consort throughout the years with this agreement,” Mr Kiniafa said.
“We are delighted to be part of the growth of Consort, as its parent company, Steamships Trading Company, has been a part of ours over many decades.”
“PNG Ports is ready and we look forward to working more with Consort over the next two years as we strive to maintain the flow of goods to this nation, during the pandemic and onwards.”
PNG Ports Corporation is one of the oldest state owned entities in Papua New Guinea and is the sole authority over all declared ports in the country, itself managing 15 of those 23 declared ports. PNG Ports Corporate Limited history can be traced back to the Harbours Board Act of 1963.
Consort Express Lines has been offering liner shipping services throughout coastal regions of Papua New Guinea since 1978, and in various forms before that for one hundred years. Consort Express Lines has had a long-lasting affiliation with PNG Ports Corporation and is confident the new arrangement will lead to a stronger partnership.
Both PNG Ports Corporation and Consort Express Lines continue to make long-term investments in infrastructure, people and technology – providing safer, more efficient service delivery for their customers and stakeholders.
Quick action by PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNG Ports) saw the rescue of nine youths whose dinghy capsized near the Motukea Port, in Port Moresby, last Saturday.
A distress radio call by cargo vessel, Kumul Arrow, who was anchored in Fairfax harbour, alerted the PNG Ports Operations, Pilotage and vessel tracking services (VTS) teams who were on weekend duty at the Motukea Port.
The distress call was sent after officers on board Kumul Arrow noticed the all-male crew, between the ages of 12 and 25, trying their best to swim ashore after their dinghy capsized between Gemo Island and the ship.
The group were returning from Gemo Island at about 5pm after a picnic but their dinghy, a 23ft 40 horsepower, ran out of fuel. The dinghy capsized when the motor switched off and a huge wave hit them as a result of strong winds that afternoon.
PNG Ports immediately sent out a pilot boat to rescue them after receiving the distress call where they were taken to safety at around 6:30pm.
PNG Ports’ Chief Operations Officer, Rodney Begley, thanked the teams on duty for the swift response and for saving lives in rough seas.
Mr Begley commended the brave efforts of the VTS and Pilotage teams for risking their own lives to save that of the youths.
Managing Director of PNG Ports, Fego Kiniafa, urged small craft owners to pay attention to strong wind warnings and make sure there is enough fuel before travelling out to sea.
“Warnings by relevant authorities, such as the National Maritime Safety Authority and weather services have to be taken seriously as mishaps out at sea happen anytime.”
“Such incidences have been common in recent times throughout the country where some have perished out at sea and it is very important that all safety measures, including the use of life jackets are followed,” Mr Kiniafa said.
He thanked Kumul Arrow for sending out the distress call and the Operations, Pilotage and VTS teams at PNG Ports for the swift action in the rescue mission on Saturday.
