More navigation aids installed to improve safety

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Friday July 20th, 2012

THE National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) continues to ensure safer shipping in the area with the recent installation of 63 small navigational aids.
NMSA general manager and chief executive officer Chris Rupen received the equipment at a reception during the Asia-Pacific Port State Control Officers and Regulations workshop on behalf of the authority from Nawae Construction Ltd.
Rupen said the navigational aids added to the 214 acquired under a programme  funded  by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and managed by NMSA.
“Incidentally, your visit here to our country coincides with the recent completion of the ‘GO PNG’ funded small navigational aids rehabilitation project which saw the installation of 63 small navigational aids located along shipping routes throughout the country as part of a safer shipping strategy being promoted by NMSA”, he told the delegates.
Of the 162 sites, 63 were selected and improved by the Nawae Construction in Central, Milne Bay, East and West New Britain, New Ireland, Manus, Morobe and Madang provinces.
Rupen said navigational aids served both international and local coastal routes, and supported service to remote coastal communities.
Maintaining a high standard for navigational aids was important, Rupen said.
He said this was crucial as there was a big increase in the volume of cargo handled at PNG ports which translated to an increase in shipping activities. Cargo volume had risen from 5.2 million tons in 2006 to 7.2 million tons in 2012.
Nawae Construction project manager Adam Hay said the company was proud to have done the job.
“The work was done with high level of professionalism”, he said.