Local firms refuse outsiders

 THREE landowner stevedoring companies in Lae, Morobe, have expressed concern about moves by PNG Ports Corporation Ltd (PNGPCL) to invite other  companies to operate at the Lae wharf.

Riback Stevedoring, Lae Port Services and United Stevedoring –all landowner companies – warned that any new company engaged by PNG Ports to replace them would not be welcomed.

The landowners made their intentions known at a media conference after PNGPCL had advertised in   newspapers seeking “Expression of Interests” (EoI) from “experienced” and “qualified operators” to be granted “Stevedoring Access Agreements” (SAAs) and “Terminal Management Contracts” (TMCs) to operate at the Port Moresby and Lae wharves.   

The SAA advertisement stated in part: “To ensure full and proper use of MHCs (mobile Habour cranes) PNGPCL needs to ensure that stevedoring operations are conducted in modern and efficient manner which optimises the benefits to all port users from this new outcome granting SAA in Port Moresby and Lae.”  

Dominic Mark, spokesperson for the Aihi villagers, said the notice by PNGPCL was an insult to the landowners who had invested a lot in their respective companies.

“We have valid licenses to provide stevedoring services,” he said.

Samuel Nalau, another landowner leader and the Lae Maritime Workers’ Union council executive, said the advertisements questioned the capabilities of their companies and is “very serious.”