Page 34 - Islands Business September 2023

Shipping Shipping

PORT INVESTMENTS AND

CONTAINER SAFETY

A REGIONAL WRAP

In Papua New Guinea, Steamships recently acquired to undertake port construction, repair and maintenance at
Motukea North, a significant milestone in its plans to develop Tinian Port from 2025. The project concept—which is still
a 38-hectare site to the north-west of Motukea Wharf into making its way through US and CNMI processes—includes two
Portside Business Park. warehouse facilities; hardening and repairs to the four berths;
“We see the Portside Business Park precinct as the future dredging the harbor to 28 ft; removal of a finger pier and
industrial and commercial hub for Port Moresby. Steamships installing two mooring buoys outside the harbor. The must
is proactively working with the respective PNG Government substantial aspect of the project concept is the repair of the
agencies to have Portside Business Park become a Special entire breakwater structure to protect the port area.
Economic Zone. This industrial park has the potential to “A rebuilt Tinian Port is a stronger support facility
become the catalyst for economic development in both the consistent with the vision of our Covenant,” said Governor
resource and non-resource sectors,” said Steamships Managing Arnold I. Palacios.
Director, Rupert Bray. Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director,
The Park will have an industrial zone with a wharf and Christopher Tenorio called the agreement monumental,
open-yard storage; a light industrial zone with warehouses saying: “We will have a modern, functioning Tinian Port for
and offices; and a commercial retail and tourist zone. Total our community and for our strategic partnership with the
investments in the Park are projected to exceed PGK1 billion. United States for national security.”
Still in Papua New Guinea, PNG Ports Corporation has posted
a K83 (US$22.63) million profit for the 2020 fiscal year, and
paid a dividend of more than K21 (US$5.74) million to the
government. At the cheque handover in May, Chairman Kepas Lautoka Port in Fiji has joined the Sea Container Hygiene
Wali said: “The profit and dividend payment is the result of System (SCHS), which is expected to reduce delays and costs
stringent cost-cutting measures and strategic decisions that associated with exports from the port. Under the SCHS, sea
management had to make.” containers are cleaned at recognised facilities before being
He said while PNG Ports was hit hard after the closure transported to the port for hygienic storage until they are
of borders and travel restrictions related to COVID: “Cargo loaded in compliance with the required protocols. When
volumes are picking up but very slowly, and revenue is working well, the system can reduce the need for external
fluctuating but this is being managed well. We are seeing sea container inspections upon arrival to as low as 5%, saving
positive outcomes and hope to maintain this going forward.” exporters money and reducing the risk of inadvertently
shipping pests such as the Giant African Snail around the
region. Suva Port is already part of the SCHS scheme, as is
Solomons Ports, PNG’s Port Moresby and Lae Ports, Apia Port
In Guam, the Joint Region Marianas Chief-of-Staff Capt. in Samoa and Nuku’alofa in Tonga.
Michael Smith and other military officials broke ground at the
site of the Mike and November wharves in August.
It signifies the start of a US$138 million project to repair
and modernise the 75-year-old wharves. Marshall Islands has been one of the key proponents of a
US Naval Base Guam (NBG) Commanding Officer Capt. thwarted push to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in
Michael Luckett observed at the groundbreaking, “I’ve seen the shipping industry to net zero by 2050.
the growth in the mission out here and the huge demand that And the nation took another step forward in its own
has been placed on port facilities and port operations here journey to net-zero in June with the keel laying ceremony for
to support our Navy, as well as our partners and allies in the a supply vessel in Geoje Island, South Korea.
region. Marshall Islands aims to cut GHG emissions by 40% below
“This project is absolutely critical to improving our 2010 levels by 2030 and achieve full decarbonisation of the
capacity and capability to support the fleet. We are the sector by 2050.
busiest Navy port in the Western Pacific and the third busiest The vessel currently under construction in Korea will
port in the entire Navy.” provide a trading, research and training platform.
“The keeling would be the start of the paradigm shift from
conventional driven, solely engine propelled ships to a new
generation of vessels for our islands in the larger Pacific
Meanwhile in CNMI, the US Department of Defense aims Region,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Minister Kitlang
Kabua said at the ceremony.

34 Islands Business, September 2023