WORLD-STANDARD pilotage services provided by PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNG Ports) will be further boosted with the arrival of its latest K2.2 million customised pilot boat.
PNG Ports chief executive officer Fego Kiniafa announced this as the pilot boat was being loaded on Swire Shipping vessel Tonga Chief in Brisbane destined for Port Moresby.
The pilot boat will be christened Paga after the Paga Hill which overlooks the Fairfax Harbour where PNG Ports operates from in Port Moresby.
Two similar boats, christened Siabo and Davage, were delivered last year and are currently being used at the Motukea Port.
The pilot boats are specifically built for PNG Ports by Brisbane-based boat builders, Norman R. Wright & Sons, with two more expected to be completed and delivered over the next few months.
Mr. Kiniafa said PNG Ports was investing heavily in the pilotage sector in order to meet business demands and industry standards as global trade picks up post-COVID-19.
“PNG Ports will undergo a billion kina infrastructural development, including the re-fleet of pilot boats and rehabilitation of the ports,” he said.
“We launched our 30-Year Port Infrastructure Master Plan last year which attracted a concessional loan from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific.
“This AIFFP funding will go towards the rehabilitation of Kavieng, Kimbe, Oro Bay and Lorengau, and further development of the Lae Tidal Basin.
“PNG Ports is also looking at diversifying its business and port rehabilitation and the purchase of pilot boats are the platform to these possible future changes, which will pave way for economic growth.
PNG Ports chief executive officer Fego Kiniafa announced this as the pilot boat was being loaded on Swire Shipping vessel Tonga Chief in Brisbane destined for Port Moresby.
The pilot boat will be christened Paga after the Paga Hill which overlooks the Fairfax Harbour where PNG Ports operates from in Port Moresby.
Two similar boats, christened Siabo and Davage, were delivered last year and are currently being used at the Motukea Port.
The pilot boats are specifically built for PNG Ports by Brisbane-based boat builders, Norman R. Wright & Sons, with two more expected to be completed and delivered over the next few months.
Mr. Kiniafa said PNG Ports was investing heavily in the pilotage sector in order to meet business demands and industry standards as global trade picks up post-COVID-19.
“PNG Ports will undergo a billion kina infrastructural development, including the re-fleet of pilot boats and rehabilitation of the ports,” he said.
“We launched our 30-Year Port Infrastructure Master Plan last year which attracted a concessional loan from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific.
“This AIFFP funding will go towards the rehabilitation of Kavieng, Kimbe, Oro Bay and Lorengau, and further development of the Lae Tidal Basin.
“PNG Ports is also looking at diversifying its business and port rehabilitation and the purchase of pilot boats are the platform to these possible future changes, which will pave way for economic growth.
