The PNG Ports Corporation Limited is the successor company to PNG Harbours Limited in accordance with the requirements of the (Amendment) Act of 2002. PNG Ports Corporation Limited was incorporated under the Companies Act of 1997 in 2006. The Independent State of PNG is the sole shareholder in PNG Ports Corporation Limited.
The Board and the General Manager of PNG Ports Corporation Limited are appointed by the National Executive Council (NEC).
PNG Ports Corporation Limited is responsible for the control and management of all sea ports that come under its jurisdiction. These ports include the ones that were owned by the State and controlled by the then PNG Harbours Limited.
The regulatory functions of the ports which were once performed by the PNG Harbours Limited are now the responsibility of the Department of Transport. The issuing and administration of regulatory contracts or licensing of activities with in the port services industry is now the responsibility of the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC).
FINANCES OF PNG PORTS CORPORATION LIMITED
The PNG Ports Corporation Limited is a self funding institution but as a government owned entity it is answerable to the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC).
From its revenue, the PNGPCL must provide for the management and administration of the ports, depreciation, interest, and payment of loans, land rates, rents, insurances and other miscellaneous provisions.
The PNGPCL like every other corporate entity is subject to the government tax regulations.
GENERAL MANAGEMENT
The General Manager is the Chief Executive Officer of PNG Ports Corporation Limited and is responsible for the management of all sixteen (16) ports in PNG. The General Manager is answerable to the Board of Directors appointed by the NEC. The Board is answerable to the IPBC.
PORT MANAGEMENT
Out of the sixteen ports, fourteen are directly managed by PNG Ports Corporation while two are controlled by agencies. All ports except Aitape & Samarai have Port Managers located there. Port Managers are assisted through an establishment of operational, administrative and maintenance staff whose numbers vary according to the size of the port. Local agents, representing the PNGPCL manage other ports such as Aitape and Samarai.
At each declared port, there is a Port Advisory Committee consisting of 3 (three) ex-officio members and up to 9 members with alternates, representing all interest groups of the port users. The Minister for Transport appoints members for a term of two (2) years.
The functions of the Committee are to consider any matters on the working or efficiency of the port.
The Committee may make rules to regulate port operations.
DECLARED PORTS
There are twenty three (23) declared ports, of which sixteen (16) are operational, seven (7) are non-operational. Out of sixteen (16), two (2) are under agencies.
OPERATIONAL DECLARED PORTS
| 1. Aitape | 9. Lorengau |
| 2. Alotau | 10. Madang |
| 3. Buka | 11. Oro Bay |
| 4. Daru | 12. Port Moresby |
| 5. Kavieng | 13. Rabaul |
| 6. Kieta | 14. Samarai |
| 7. Kimbe | 15. Vanimo |
| 8. Lae | 16. Wewak |
PORTS UNDER AGENCY
Aitape and Samarai
NON OPERATIONAL PORTS
Kerema, Kinim, Kupiano, Lihir, Misima, Siassi, Silovuti
OTHER PORTS
Only the declared ports in Papua New Guinea are managed by PNG Ports Corporation Limited. The Maritime Division of the Department of Transport regulates other government and privately operated ports.
WORKING HOURS
The PNG Ports Corporation Limited offices are open for business from 0800 to 1200 hours and 1300 to 1621 hours on Monday to Friday except for Public Holidays. Arrangements may be made through the Port Managers to provide services outside these hours.
BERTH RESERVATIONS & PRIORITIES
A berth reservation system applies at most ports which entitles certain classes of ships to an alongside berth on arrival in a port. Such ships are passenger vessels, foreign naval vessels, tankers and cargo vessels meeting specified requirements, giving advance notice of arrival and paying the stipulated fee. Port Managers will provide full details upon application.
Ships without reservations, are subject to the overall efficiency of the port as determined by the Port Manager, and normally berth in order of arrival.
In emergency cases, the Port Manager may, in the public interest, grant priority to any type of vessels.
STORAGE AND WAREHOUSING
Warehousing facilities are not provided in the ports; all covered and open staking areas are for transit purposes only. At most of the larger ports private companies operate bonded and free warehouses to which undelivered cargo is consigned after specified period.
Four working days from the date of completion of discharge of the vessel are normally allowed free in the case of overseas inward cargo. Two days only are normally allowed for coastal cargo before storage charges accrue. Outward cargo may, subject to the approval of the Port Manager, be brought into the port seven days prior to the date of shipment without incurring storage charges.
PILOTAGE
Pilotage services are available at most ports on a forty-eight (48) hours notice, and compulsory at the ports of Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, Rabaul and Kimbe.
Pilotage Exemption Certificate is issued by the Department of Transport.
The PNG Ports Corporation Limited Superintendent of Pilotage, under certain conditions, issues pilotage exemption certificates.
PNG Ports Corporation Limited makes it a requirement that all pilots must be licensed.
STEVEDORING
Stevedoring organizations are licensed by the ICCC and may handle cargo within the PNG Ports Corporation Limited operating areas with the exceptions of certain smaller ports, some classes of vessels working at the coastal wharves and ships at private wharves. The normal working hours for stevedores are from 0800hrs to 1200hrs and from 1300hrs to 1600 hrs. Arrangements may be made through the stevedores to provide services outside these hours.
The ICCC may restrict the licensing of the stevedores at each port to the number, which it considers reasonable in the interest of efficiency. The PNG Ports Corporation Limited does not handle cargo nor does it control the stevedoring or shore handling charges.
TUGS
Privately owned tugs and mooring boats operate at some ports under licenses issued by the ICCC. Only licensed tug owners may operate in declared port areas. Tug assistance is not compulsory in any port, but is recommended in certain ports or for certain classes of vessels.
CUSTOMS
PNG Ports Corporation Limited does not provide customs facilities, as these come under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner General of Internal Revenue Commission (IRC).
PORT DEVELOPMENT
The PNG Ports Corporation Limited is responsible for the provision of facilities and the planned development of the declared ports. The Board is required to submit its Capital Works Programme covering the next five (5) years, to the Government on an annual basis. Long-term development plans have been drawn up for all the major ports, including short and medium term projects, which are soon to be realized. These are illustrated on the sketches relating to the individual ports in this Handbook.
PORT MAINTENANCE
PNG Ports Corporation Limited is responsible for maintaining the ports and repairing any defects arising from fair wear and tear and for ensuring damages are repaired promptly.
WHARF LOADING
Maximum distributed loads, forklift loads and vehicular loads, which are permissible on wharves, are also specified on the information provided for each port. Explanatory notes and diagrams relating to these loads are given at the back of the Handbook. Port users exceeding the specified loads are liable to prosecution.
HARBOURS BOARD ACT AND BY-LAWS
The enabling legislation which provides for the establishment of PNG Ports Corporation Limited is the Harbours Act (Chapter 240) of Revised Laws of Papua New Guinea as amended.
The Legislation included both the Act and By-Laws made under that Act.
CHARGES AND DUES
Full details are set out in the Charges and Dues By-Laws.
DISCLAIMER
The information is provided in good faith and at the time of printing is believed to be still in draft form. The PNG Ports Corporation Ltd accepts no liability for its accuracy or completeness and port users are advised to check with the senior staff in Head Office and with relevant Port Managers on any details, which are critical to them.
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