Left: Niugini Coast arrives in Lae. Main: Motukea Island, location for Port Moresbyâs new port. Pictures: Steamships/Stephen Rae.
This is despite the discovery of major structural defects in Phase 1 of the project. The K809 million [US$266 million] Phase 1 project was completed in 2014 by contractor China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). PNG Portsâ Alphonse says an international operator for both the Lae port and Motukea terminal has been sought. This would mark a major change in the way ports are managed; PNG Ports has traditionally operated the nationâs ports directly. Another part of the Lae port development is Huon Industrial Park, which will store wet (general fuels and chemicals) cargo, dry bulk materials, feed stocks and be the base for a mineral export facility. The cost is estimated to be K258 million. Laeâs port handles more than 60 per cent of PNGâs international and domestic trade. Alphonse says that Phase 2 includes a second multipurpose berth, a tidal basin, terminal
works buildings, storage areas, roads, drainage, water, electricity and sewerage services. A second berth of at least 240 metres length is required for the terminal to operate as efficiently as possible by an experienced terminal operator, Alphonse says. âThis will enable two vessels of anything up to 200 metres length overall to berth at the same time.â Alphonse says PNG Ports has held discussions with potential tenants from the mining, petroleum, power and fisheries sectors. The government estimates that when the expanded port is fully operational, it will create 5000 new jobs. Eventually, as a consequence of growth in revenue from more pilotage, wharfage and berthage, it is projected that 10,000 new jobs will be created.
Regional ports PNG Ports is gradually rehabilitating 13 other ports around the country. It is needed. According to the World Bank, PNGâs regional ports âprovide only a basic service for coastal traffic and are often unusable in bad weather.â The Lorengau port rehabilitation program on Manus Island, for example, includes the installation of wharf fenders, a standby generator set, new fencing and an access gate. ï”
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