Page 2 - IB March 2025

‘PNG Ports ‘Raise the Bar’ in Pilotage Training’

(L-R) Captains Haoda Virobo and Bonny Aisa during a simulation exercise, part of PNG Ports’ LNG tanker training programme, at Smartship Australia
in Brisbane.

PNG Ports Corporation (PNG Ports), the dominant port operator Bauri reported that additional pilots will continue to be identified
and marine pilotage leader in Papua New Guinea, has raised the for the LNG training in line with business continuity planning.
standard of PNG’s pilotage services following a programme of This is timely, given that the Nation’s LNG output (and therefore
LNG tanker training undertaken in Port Moresby and Brisbane. exports) is set to increase with the imminence of its second major
Theoretical, practical, and simulator training finessed the skillsets LNG project, the Total-led Papua LNG development, as well as
of six of PNG Ports’ most experienced pilots, two of whom the ExxonMobil-led P’nyang LNG Project.
already pilot LNG tankers, and all of whom have vast experience However, it’s not just an increase in LNG tankers that PNG
on multiple vessel types. Ports pilots will need to service, but an increase in all manner
PNG Ports’ pilots have serviced the Caution Bay LNG terminal of vessels. The construction phases of the P’nyang and Papua
operated by ExxonMobil PNG Limited since 2014, when the LNG projects will be associated with a steep increase in large
country first commenced its LNG exports. Crucial to PNG’s cargo vessels in particular, given that nearly all equipment and
developing economy, the LNG sector contributes significantly to materials required for construction need to be imported by sea.
the nation’s GDP, with Caution Bay currently the sole terminal for “The training our pilots undertake to qualify them for LNG
this highly important export. tanker pilotage is of the highest possible international standard”,
Under an MOU with ExxonMobil PNG Limited, PNG Ports is said Bauri. “As such, it more than qualifies them to pilot any type
committed to training and certifying pilots through PNG’s National of major vessel that services PNG, not just the LNG tankers. In
Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) to meet regulatory standards. other words, the LNG training our pilots receive isn’t just good for
The six pilots who’ve recently received training constitute both LNG operators, but for any shipping company that calls into PNG,
a ‘pool’ and a ‘pipeline’ of LNG tanker pilotage talent. Two of the because it provides them with a higher quality and safety-assured
pilots are already experienced LNG tanker pilots and another two pilotage experience, as well as one that is in full compliance with
have received all necessary training and assessment and are international maritime regulations.”
just waiting to be signed off. The remaining two pilots, who have CEO Neil Papenfus is adamant that he doesn’t only want to
undertaken the first stage of the LNG training programme, are raise the bar when it comes to the training PNG Ports’ pilots
continuing to progress and are expected to achieve competency receive, but all of the country’s pilots. The PNG and Australian
in the near future. governments signed off on a A$621.4 million ‘PNG Ports
The LNG training programme was developed and overseen by Infrastructure Programme’ in 2022, to repair and upgrade seven
McGuire Maritime. Chief Operating Officer of PNG Ports, Felix key ports. Papenfus believes that “one way to protect this
Bauri, described the simulator training component, conducted investment is to prevent future damage from ship collision, and
at the Smartship Australia simulator centre in Brisbane, as that this can, in part, be achieved by having better trained pilots,
“especially critical for LNG pilotage, and particularly so for a with improvements in training to be mandated by the NMSA and
country like PNG, which is so dependent on LNG exports.” He tied to licensing.” Another mechanism by which Papenfus says
added that “simulator training is also the only way a pilot can be vital port infrastructure can be protected is to increase the number
consistently trained in a range of contingencies and emergencies of pilotage-mandated ports. Only six of PNG’s 23 declared ports
such as steering failure or tug error, as well as in adverse weather are mandated.
conditions.”

Sponsored Content
Sponsored Content
2 Islands Business, March 2025