MEDIA RELEASE
An important news release from PNG Ports Corporation Limited

14 December 2011

Mr. Riches said that the MHCs are brand new and have been shipped by Gottwald Port Technology straight from its factory in Duesseldorf, Germany. He further said these cranes are the most advanced in the world with the ability to be operated by the driver external to the cabin using a detachable wireless workstation, not much  bigger than a play station console.

Mr. Riches said the RTGs are cranes from Jurong Port in Singapore and are near-new and they are still fully operational with brand new engines, tires and loading equipment and have many, many hours of operations left in their economic life.

He said there is also an agreement with the suppliers for both types of cranes essentially to follow through with the contractual delivery of the cranes, assemble counterweights for the MHCs, commission the RTGs and carryout basic site training to technical personnel and operators. Both sets of cranes needed to be fully serviced after the sea voyage to PNG and they need to be maintained constantly whether they are operational or stationary.  Some of the cranes require civil works before full operations can take place; however, they will be kept maintained regardless of use.

A Singapore company, Portek, who have contractual arrangements with PNG Ports, has representatives currently in Port Moresby as part of their engagement and they will be carrying out workshops for PNGPCL staff on the operations and implementation of the terminal operating systems. “Portek is a major partner in our capacity building in service delivery and port efficiency at PNG ports,” Mr. Riches said.

Mr. Riches went on to say on the topic of  procuring new machinery and building of infrastructure, “at PNGPCL, we have comprehensive new tendering, contracting and procurement policies and procedures that have been developed and approved which we follow religiously. It is sad how people get a kick out of trying to discredit a State Owned Enterprise that is actually making a difference.”

PNGPCL has so far carried out geotechnical investigation at its Lae and Port Moresby ports, civil works design and tender documentation, tender evaluation and approval by PNGPCL and the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) Board; contracts has been awarded and works on railways have commenced recently in Port Moresby. It will be some time before civil works commence for the Lae RTGs as the lengthy approval process to enable construction near completion. Papua New Guinea can expect to see world class Port operations and efficient management systems in place and operational by mid to late 2012.

For more information, please contact:
the.editor@pngports.com.pg