K1.5m Wewak port ugrade

 PNG Ports Corporation Ltd (PPCL) will spend K1.5 million this year into the Wewak port improvement to handle the increasing agricultural production from the cocoa and rubber sectors.

PNG PCL said the port was expected to see a substantial increase in cargo for both inward and outward shipments once production in Turubu oil palm, Frieda River copper project mine and other small-scale mining went into production.

Chief executive Stanley Alphonse said work start this year.

Alphonse said the development of the Wewak port was part of the ongoing commitment by PNG PCL to rehabilitate and upgrade infrastructure throughout its port network.

He said this was in line with their corporate strategies and the National Government’s development plans for the marine transport sector.

According to its quarterly publication, cargo being handled by Wewak port was increasing every month.

This would be sustained once several resource projects started production.

Apart from the berthing and wharf facilities, the port also provided storage area, passenger access, anchorage and rental space.

Meanwhile, PNGPCL announced last Friday that it would start clearing up the ports nationwide all wrecked vessels that were posing navigational and environmental risks.

This was one of PNGPCL’s major functions in managing and regulating declared ports in the country. 

Alphonse said: “The exercise is a first of its kind in Papua New Guinea and our maritime compliance division will work with the owners of the wrecks to have them removed. 

“The exercise will be carried out at all the ports.”

Alphonse said the wrecks, including those that were sunk and were posing navigational risks, would be refloated and towed away.

They would either be destroyed or sunk in an approved location to be used by researchers for study purposes and as tourist attractions.  

Alphonse said: “The comprehensive exercise comes on the back of the unprecedented growth in the economy, which has seen vessel calls into Papua New Guinea increase drastically over the last decade; 

“Wreckages abandoned at harbours pose a serious threat to vessel traffic, foreshore development, lives and marine environment.”