Two operators join forces to spur PNG maritime industry

By FRANK ASAELI
P&O Maritime Services (PNG) Ltd and PNG Dockyard have combined to generate more employment through spin-off business awarded to many local contractors in vessel dry-docking.
John Hulse, country manager of P&OMS, said with the increasing volume of exports from the country’s resource industries, dependency on shipping was growing.
He said two of Papua New Guinea’s leading maritime operators had reached agreements to dry-dock vessels over the next three years.
Mr Hulse said that P&OMS would be operating under the Western Tug and Barge entity.
“The first of the fleet to undergo this procedure is the Western Zenith, a copper carrying barge on charter to Ok Tedi Mining Ltd, which will remain in the dockyard for 25 days to undergo extensive overhaul,” he said.
This will be followed by three other vessels in 2008 as they comply with maritime regulations for operation.
The two companies
are fast becoming ex-perts in their individual fields of cargo services, dry-docking and fabrication respectively.
The companies had further plans to work together to keep all maritime operations handled locally and for further ventures on Motukea, which had highway and deep water approaches at Fairfax harbour.
Mr Hulse said the first vessel will complete its dry-docking next month.