PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNGPCL) signed a contract to custom build two (2) new Pilot Boats with Norman R. Wright & Sons of Brisbane, Australia, who have been designing and building high quality commercial and pleasure boats, from ferry’s to superyachts, since 1909.
“I am very pleased with the Board's acceptance of managements recommendation of Norman R. Wright & Sons” advised the PNG Ports Chairman, Mr. Kepas Wali, “it is a testament to the quality, that there are still Pilot Boats in operation, which were built by this company in 1993. This is some 27 years ago and that after 3 generations, there are still Wright family members involved in the operation of the company which provides me with a lot of comfort and confidence”
The contract was signed by Mr. Tony Riek, Managing Director of Norman R. Wright & Sons and Mr. Kepas Wali, Chairman of PNGPCL on Tuesday 25th February at the PNGPCL Head office in Port Moresby. The signing was the culmination of a lengthy tender process undertaken, including ensuring that the design specifications met the technical standards of ExxonMobil a major client, and evaluation of ten (10) proposals by PNGPCL pilotage, commercial and operations teams received from potential suppliers in Australia, China and Singapore. Norman R. Wright was selected once quality, cost, reputation and proven ability to build state of the art Pilot Boats were accessed.
“PNG Ports Corporation Limited as the premier Pilotage provider in PNG, currently operates a fleet of 15 Pilot Boats nationwide and is able to offer nationwide 24/7 coverage to its valued clients, “this is something competing companies simply strive to match” advised Mr. Wali. “We are at the forefront of this industry, through the adoption of state of the art technology, and we intend to stay at the forefront, with this investment in new Pilot Boats well into the foreseeable future”
