AUSTRALIA will deploy its hydrographic survey ship, HMAS Leeuwin, to Papua New Guinea for a five-week mission to improve navigation safety and strengthen maritime cooperation.
The ship will work alongside the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) to survey waters used for shipping and other maritime activity, while Australian personnel provide mentoring and training to PNGDF members embarked for the mission, the navy said.
Australia’s Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, said the deployment underscored a partnership that has lasted more than five decades.
“Australia and PNG have worked side-by-side in hydrographic surveying for more than 50 years, helping to chart PNG’s waters for safe maritime activity,” Jones said.
“This longstanding partnership is essential to maritime trade, strengthens PNG’s sovereignty, and shows Australia is a trusted partner the Pacific can count on,” he said.
The mission is being supported by the Defence Cooperation Program and the Australian Hydrographic Office, Jones said, adding that PNG was continuing to build its maritime capability and contribute to a “peaceful, prosperous and resilient Pacific.”
HMAS Leeuwin’s commanding officer, Commander Danny Finn, said embarking PNGDF personnel would help build local capability while improving operational understanding of PNG waters.
“Embarking PNGDF personnel provides a valuable opportunity to work, learn and share knowledge together at sea,” Finn said.
“Their local knowledge enhances our understanding of PNG’s maritime environment, while together we build the skills and interoperability needed to support regional security,” he said.
Alongside survey operations, the vessel will also carry out defence and community engagement activities during port visits across Papua New Guinea.
Australia has long used defence cooperation and hydrographic support as part of its wider security engagement in the Pacific, where it has sought to counter growing strategic competition and reinforce ties with island states.
