McGann: Motukea can complement PNG ports

 CURTAIN Brothers’ Motukea Island international wharf outside Port Moresby has the potential to attract more ships, according to general manager Justin McGann.

He said these included ships from the PNG Ports Corporation Ltd’s Port Moresby port, already affected by congestion.

PNGPCL chief executive officer Stanley Alphonse told business website Business Advantage PNG that  work was underway for a new port in Port Moresby.

“There is an inter-departmental committee set up, which includes PNG Ports and a significant amount of work has been made in terms of looking at the site and putting together the concept,” he said.

“I believe that in the near future our project steering committee will be looking at the commercial arrangements – the financing of it – and the detailed design of it.”

Motukea, opened in November 2010, has already handled much cargo required for the PNG LNG plant.

McGann said it had given his company confidence that Motukea could handle more ships from Port Moresby.

He said an agreement was  in place with PNGPCL to handle any overflow from Port Moresby.

“The facilities here complement the facilities in town.”

McGann said Motukea came about because Curtain Brothers’ owner Sir Mick Curtain foresaw the need for another port.

“When the PNG LNG plant was to be built, there was a need for what they call a material offloading facility.

“Sir Mick Curtain has, for many, many years, wanted to build an international wharf at Motukea to extend the opportunities for Motukea to grow as a port and as a dockyard. 

“Our timing for the wharf coincided with the LNG project coming up in full swing. We’ve done the full mobilisation for the LNG project.”