K70 million investment to boost port’s productivity

THE International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) South Pacific will be investing K70 million on cranes to boost productivity at the Lae port. The Lae port is currently trading as the South Pacific International Container Terminal. ICTSI chief executive officer Robert Maxwell told The National that the investment was part of the company’s plan to increase capacity. The investment will also benefit the Porgera gold mine in Enga, Wafi-Golpu, Papua LNG and the P’nyang gas projects when they come into operation. Maxwell said as part of the company’s set up and the terminal operating agreement with PNG Ports Corporation Ltd, 30 per cent of the share capital had been issued to the landowners.
It included the Tatana and Baruni communities for the Motukea International Terminal and Ahi and Labu in Lae. The ICTSI currently employs 486 locals and has reduced the number of expatriates. Maxwell said the company had built police stations in Lae to combat law order issues in the city and up-skilled employees, donated school and stationery needs plus personal protective equipment.  He noted that the ICTSI had a good partnership with PNG Ports Corporation Ltd since being awarded the 25-year concession in 2017 to operate and manage the international arms of the port facilities at Motukea and Lae.