By PAUL OEKA
PNG Ports Corporation recently celebrated the arrival of the largest container ship ever to visit Papua New Guinea.
The international container ship CMA CGM Perth made its maiden voyage into PNG when it berthed at the Lae tidal port earlier last week on Tuesday.
With an impressive length of 262 meters and width of 33 meters, the colossal shipping vessel was recorded as the largest container ship to ever grace our shores following the expansion of the Lae tidal basin.
The ship is owned by France global shipping and logistics company CMA CGM and ranks as the fourth largest in the world due to its capacity to carry containers and weighs a massive 52,000 tons.
PNG Ports CEO Neil Papenfus said the arrival of the giant container ship to PNG’s shores marks an important stage in the country’s progress.
“Today we welcome CMA CGM Perth to Lae tidal basin which I believe is the largest container ship to enter our shores. This marks a significant milestone in our commitment to strengthen maritime trade and enhance supply chain efficiency for economic growth in PNG.”
He added that the modernisation and expansion of the tidal basin has increased PNG’s trade capacity for economic development and job opportunities.
“The arrival of this vessel is more than just an introduction to a new vessel, it represents progress and confidence that global shipping partners continue to place in our port infrastructure.
“The Lae tidal ports modernisation and expansion is set increase PNG’s trade capacity and support employment and local businesses.” Papenfus said.
Furthermore, the PNG Ports CEO also acknowledged the government by extending his gratitude to the Marape-Rosso government for their continuous support towards investing in the port’s expansion.
The entry of the giant ship to PNG comes after recent infrastructural improvements at the Lae tidal basin including instalments of bollards and other utilities that has extended the port in allowing larger international vessels to berth safely and efficiently.
Meanwhile CMA CGM Perth is expected to leave the country’s shores and will continue on a voyage to China with exports from PNG consisting of major cash crops such as cocoa, coffee and copra in the coming week.