Motukea port declared area under control

THE Motukea port international terminal has been declared a Customs-controlled area for safe trading at the port, says PNG Ports officer-in-charge Ian Hayden-Smart.
He told PNG Customs chief commissioner David Towe and International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) chief executive officer Robert Maxwell that as part of the global port and shipping industry, PNG Ports was committed to meeting international standards.
He added that having Motukea declared as Customs-controlled area was a milestone for the country.
“Our two main ports in Lae and Port Moresby (Motukea) have undergone significant changes over the last few years,” Hayden-Smart said.
“We have seen the relocation of the Port Moresby port to Motukea and the expansion of the Lae port to the Tidal Basin, plus the major upgrades. Both have one of the leading terminal operators in the world, ICTSI, who is driving efficiency at both ports.”
“The declaration and re-declaration have come in line with the development of both ports into modern international port facilities.
“We recognise the positive impacts of collaborating with our industry stakeholders, and this achievement with Customs paves the way for the ongoing facilitation of safe and secure maritime trade.”
PNG Ports this year signed a lease agreement with Customs to cut down on questionable goods shipped into the country through Lae.
It also signed a memorandum to renew a partnership with Customs, as facilitators of international sea trade and maritime security.
He thanked the ICTSI for investing in the overall productivity of the Lae and Motukea ports.
“Most recently, the introduction of the ship-to-shore cranes have improved efficiency significantly,” Hayden-Smart said.