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‘PacTow Celebrates ISO Certifications’

Papua New Guinean marine services company
Pacific Towing (PacTow) is celebrating three recent
and significant ISO certifications – ISO:9001 (Quality),
ISO:45001 (Occupational Health & Safety), and ISO:14001
(Environment). The certifications apply to the diverse
breadth of services the company provides to clients
across multiple industries throughout Melanesia, as well
as more broadly throughout Oceania and Southeast Asia.
The ‘scope’ of PacTow’s ISO certifications is extensive,
encompassing towage, mooring, salvage, commercial
diving, and life raft services. Although harbour towage
is PacTow’s core business, it increasingly provides its
other services to PNG’s oil and gas sector, as well as in
international waters.
PacTow’s ISO certification process took approximately
one year. General Manager, Neil Papenfus, reports PacTow’s recent ISO certifications – ISO:9001 (Quality), ISO:45001 (OH&S), and ISO:14001
that the process took longer than anticipated due to (Environment) – reflect its marine services market leadership in not just PNG but broader Melanesia.
complexities and delays associated with COVID-19, with Pictured is a PacTow tug and linesboat assisting the berthing of US naval vessel ‘USS Charleston’ for
refuelling purposes.
most of the auditing being conducted online. He credits
his Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment & Quality
(HSSEQ) team for PacTow’s successful certification.
Papenfus acknowledges PacTow’s pursuit of ISO
certification as “overdue” but notes that the company
holds other significant certifications and has implemented
numerous initiatives attesting to its quality, safety, and
environmental credentials. For example, in 2021 PacTow
voluntarily undertook and passed its International Safety
Management (ISM) Code audit; an audit conducted in
accord with the International Maritime Organisation
(IMO), the United Nations agency specialising in maritime
and shipping affairs. Furthermore, the company’s camp
facilities at its dedicated tug base in Port Moresby are
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) certified.
PacTow’s quality credentials are underpinned by PacTow tugs assisting Singapore flagged oil tanker Crescent River in Port Moresby. PacTow is
substantial investments in training programs (in-house Melanesia’s only full member of the International Salvage Union and the International Spill Control
and overseas) for all of its seafarers and onshore staff Organization.
(including two cadetship programs) – 97 percent of whom
are Melanesian. The company even has its own purpose-built important than the marketability of these certifications though is
training facilities at its dedicated tug base in Port Moresby. the improvements we’ll enjoy in operational efficiencies which will
PacTow also has its own internal Safety Awards program, as well result in an even better client service experience. Likewise, the
as an innovative program (i.e., ‘Gender Smart Safety’) that specifically refinements we’ve made during the certification process will help us
improves the workplace health and safety of female employees. achieve our major HSSE and organisational goal for 2022, which is

Initiatives to reduce its environmental impact include mangrove further reducing our carbon footprint.”
rejuvenation projects, a new waste management plan, and the PacTow delivers excellent, reliable, and safe marine services
decreased use of diesel along with the increased use of solar energy. through Melanesia and the broader Pacific. A well-maintained fleet,
“PacTow already enjoyed a reputation for excellence and reliability” as well as a dedicated and exceptionally trained team underpin
said Papenfus “but our ISO certifications give us additional credibility PacTow’s ongoing expansion and success. PacTow is part of a larger
especially from the perspective of new or prospective clients. More sea and land logistics group wholly owned by Steamships Limited.

To learn more about PacTow: www.pacifictowingmarineservices.com

Islands Business, April 2022 37