Papua New Guinea Port Development

Papua New Guinea is embarking on a 30-year (2021-2051) port infrastructure development plan. PNG’s Port Authority, PNG Ports Corporation Ltd (PNG Ports), a fully corporatized state-owned entity whose ownership is vested in trust by the PNG government, owns and operates 15 port facilities nationwide. 

The 15 ports are strategic assets of national importance, providing critical links to world markets. These ports play a vital role in supporting the importing of essential goods to the local communities and providing a gateway to international markets for exports. 

A key priority for the PNG Government and PNG Ports is to drive economic growth through sustainable port infrastructure development. The PNG Government, through PNG Ports, have invested in the order of PGK2 billion into port infrastructure with the support of the Australian Government through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP).

PNG Ports have identified strategic opportunities over a short term (repair program), medium to long-term (asset renewal and modernization) through their 30-year master plan. Key opportunities include the immediate repairs and modernization of port assets, international transshipment hub, growth through resources sector, system optimisation via digital transformation, future planning and risk mitigation, landside transport and distribution network connections, and government policy for private ports.

The work that is envisaged in the short, medium, and long term depends on the different locations of the ports given PNG’s geographical terrain, established industries, pre-existing land uses, and the different provincial government expectations for the development of each port location. The 15 ports in PNG include Wewak Port, Vanimo Port, Rabaul Port, Oro Bay Port, Motukea Port, Madang Port, Lorengau Port, Lae Port, Kimbe Port, Kieta Port, Kavieng Port, Daru Port, Buka Port, Alotau Port, and Aitape Port.