MEDIA RELEASE | 14 November 2011 | ||
Lae Port turns another page in its history Just a couple of weeks ago Lae Port witnessed the delivery of two new mobile harbor cranes from Europe. Recently, the Board of the Independent Public Business Corporation approved the purchase of these seven RTGs which are additional to the three deployed in July this year for Port Moresby Port, bringing a total of 10 cranes in country. The three cranes in Port Moresby are part commissioned and awaiting completion of civil works for the runways for the RTGs to be operational in Port Moresby. It is anticipated that the seven RTGs will arrive in the country on Wednesday 23rd November, 2011. RTG’s are specialised equipment which will be situated in the yard for stacking containers. The operation of the RTGs is part of PNG Ports’ current remodeling exercise aimed at transforming the ports of Port Moresby and Lae into being modern, commercially viable and internationally competitive ports. With the implementation of the RTGs, the stacking capacity will be increased by 250%. This will solve some of the yard congestion problems and will also promote improvement in the truck delivery times. With the introduction of the RTGs, PNG Ports is striving to keep pace with the demand to provide additional storage space and to process the containers faster through the port. These challenges have been influenced largely by the increase in demand in recent times due to the positive economic growth that the country has experienced to date. PNGPCL Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Brian Riches said the ports of Lae and Port Moresby (more particularly Lae) are experiencing serious congestion due to increased cargo volumes, static ship discharge rates due to lack of change in stevedoring methodology and higher berth occupancy rates. The installation of this equipment will help to assist to address these issues. “PNG Ports is an important stakeholder within the logistical supply of chain and will play a significant role in meeting this increasing demand and the deployment of the RTGCs will assist the facilitation of these demands,” he said. Mr. Riches commended PNGPCL staff and management for their hard work for working to make the modernisation dream a reality through the arrival of the RTG’s and urged them and the port stakeholders to continue their commitment and dedication in transforming the ports of Port Moresby and Lae into world class international port facilities. For more information, please contact: | |||
| |||