PNG Ports Corp keen to promote local tourism

PNG Ports Corp Ltd is keen to continue supporting and promoting tourism in Papua New Guinea through facilitation of cruise shipping throughout 16 ports  it  operates around the country.
PNGPCL chief executive Brian Riches told participants at the recent national tourism conference in Port Moresby that whilst there were challenges to rehabilitate its existing network of ports, PNGPCL was focused and committed to operating its ports and wharf facilities in a manner that not only generates maximum benefits to end-users but also balances and promotes the overall economic and development objectives of the government.
As part of its plans to tap into the tourism and cruise shipping industry, PNGPCL has introduced new initiatives to support this industry apart from the general rehabilitation of its wharf infrastructure.
The new initiatives include the introduction of the volunteer youth ambassadors programme (VYA), full refund of pilotage charges for all bona-fide cruise ships, rehabilitation and maintenance of PNGPCL berths and wharfs, construction of dedicated coastal passenger facilities which can be used by foreign tourists and improved security initiatives for passengers and vessels and all port infrastructures.
PNGPCL has plans to invest significant amount of resources over the next five years to rehabilitate core infrastructure to a fit for purpose standard.
Works have already begun on most of PNGPCL’s port infrastructure over the past year and this continues this year.