PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNG Ports) will be part of a working committee which will look into addressing criminal activities within the declared port areas.
PNG Ports’ Board Chairman, Harvey Nii, Chief Executive Officer, Neil Papenfus, and Chief Maritime Compliance Officer, Ben Tomba, discussed this with relevant stakeholders during a workshop hosted by PNG Ports recently at the Grand Papua Hotel in Port Moresby.
Mr Papenfus said collaborative measures need to be taken to address maritime security issues within the port boundaries.
“As the port authority, we can only do what is in our jurisdiction, and this issue is one that will need all stakeholders and port users to discuss the way forward.”
“Collaboration is key for effective measures to be decided on and in cases like this, we need the support of each other, ideas and knowledge sharing to effectively address this.”
Mr Papenfus said PNG Ports would fully support the formulation and implementation of a policy to combat crime at the regulated port areas, and would also upgrade its Vessel Tracking Services systems to aid this.
Mr Tomba added that the issues highlighted during discussions at the workshop will form the basis of the draft policy.
The workshop was attended by selected representatives from the Department of Transport, National Maritime Safety Authority, Water Police, PNGDF Maritime Operations, PNG Customs, National Capital District Commission, Motu Koita Assembly, National Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Authority, Conservation and Environment Protection Authority, Civil Aviation and Safety Authority, National Fisheries Authority, and Total Energy, among others.
Apart from being the owner of port facilities throughout a network of 15 ports, PNG Ports also performs the role of Port Manager, a delegated function from the Department of Transport.
PNG Ports performs this role through its PNG Harbours Management Services (PNGHMS), with the Chief Maritime Compliance Officer as the Port Manager by default to oversee and roll out its functions.
The major responsibilities of PNGHMS as the Port Manager is the safety of shipping and the environment within all the declared ports, its waters and the vicinity; policy formulation, and carrying out regulatory compliance inspections to ensure minimum safety, security and environment standards are maintained, in line with the requirements of the Harbours Act.
Other News Articles
