Portek to operate 2 Papua New Guinea container terminals

PORTEK International Ltd of Singpore has signed a collaborative agreement with Papua New Guinea Ports Corporation Ltd (PNGPCL) to jointly operate its two largest container terminals.

The Lae Port container terminal handles 140,000 TEU annually, whilst Port Moresby, located in the country's capital, handles 79,000 TEU.

The 5-year collaboration at the two ports will include training of PNGPCL personnel in port operations, including the use of Portek's in-house terminal management system (TMS). The deployment of personnel is expected in January 2013.

This is a strategic move on both sides. PNGPCL wants to benefit from Portek's team of experts in the field of operation, maintenance and port information technology. Meanwhile, the port operator intends to market its TMS as a part of a holistic solution to its partners to increase port efficiency.

Aline Wong, corporate development executive, Portek International, said in a report by Port Stategy: "Our solution is a total solution (for the ports). There will be port professionals who will assist in the process of re-engineering PNGPCL's current operations. These efforts will be captured and customised into the terminal management system which Portek will be implementing at the ports of Lae and Moresby."

PNGPCL first worked with Portek 18 months ago when it supplied 10 refurbished rubber-tyred gantry cranes to the same ports.