Ports’ cargo facilities seen as key

MANY new airports in the country need cargo facilities to support the agriculture and livestock industry, says Farmers and Settlers Association president Wilson Thompson.
Thompson said Papua New Guinea (PNG) needed extensive airports and airstrips system with more movement of cargo, and improved services and costs.
Chemica Ltd chief executive officer George Leahy said it was closing its West New Britain’s Kimbe branch due to lack of airport infrastructure.
Thompson said the National Airports Corporation needed to assist the airlines as well.
“For Chemica, there are low sales in the country,” he said.
“It started with Lae Biscuit that produces biscuit and noodles but had to close factory for week as they had more stock.
Chemica is no exception, where they want to maintain the operations to support the local economy but with less sales and overheads that must be paid to keep running, they had to close.
“Any Air Niugini or PNG Air flight can take five boxes of day old chicks.
“They (Chemica) have 100 boxes order and say two flights by Air Niugini and PNG Air from Lae to Kimbe can take only 20 boxes.
“So provinces served live chicken are affected.
“Transport schedule has been unreliable and businesses can lose customers if cargoes are delayed.
“We need good network of airports and airstrips, including international ports that would create business opportunities but supported by cargo handling facilities that would make PNG goods competitive and affordable.”
Thompson, in a letter to Air Niugini Cargo recently, said emphasis on agriculture and food productions discounts or freight subsidy to emerging and established suppliers would be appreciated.