PNG Ports to repair Aitape port

PAPUA New Guinea Ports Corporation Ltd will repair the Aitape port in West Sepik at a cost of K24 million, an official says.
PNG Ports acting chief executive officer Rodney Begley said this was an initiative under its community service obligation to provide a vital service to Aitape, boost the economy of the district and support the Government’s Connect PNG initiative.
Begley said funding for the rehabilitation of the Aitape port was from the blended financial package of K1.5 billion by the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) which was part of a bi-lateral sovereign loan between the Australian and PNG governments and PNG Ports. In a meeting with Aitape MP Anderson Mise in Port Moresby, Begley described Aitape port as a “quiet” port with little to no vessel traffic.
“Between December 2021 and December 2022, there were zero vessel calls, no cargo exchange and containers at the port,” Begley said.
“Previous years had an average of three vessel calls per year,” he said.
“However, PNG Ports, through the AIFFP funding, will be rehabilitating the port to ensure that ships call at the port again, open up Aitape to sea trade and contribute towards the growth of the district’s economy.” Begley said current facilities at the port include the main wharf, a small ships wharf, an access trestle jetty and buildings.
“The port is primarily used by landing craft vessels operated by commercial operators for importing dry cargo for the local store,” he said.
“It was built in 1972 by the Department of Works, and refurbished in 1990.
“PNG Ports acquired the port in 2010 and undertook upgrading of the landside facilities in 2013, and constructed the passenger facilities and coastal defence system in 2014.
“On Feb 10, 2021, heavy swells caused the main wharf to collapse and was declared unsafe for operation.”