By SEPKOLIN WALNE
The Australian government will provide A$620 million to upgrade five ports in Papua New Guinea to improve PNG’s maritime capacity and strengthen the bond between the two countries.
Australian High Commissioner to PNG Ewen McDonald said more than 90 per cent internationally traded goods in PNG were transported by sea, therefore maritime infrastructure was critical.
“A commitment of over AUD$620 million to upgrade ports across PNG (Kimbe, Oro Bay, Daru, Kavieng, and Lae),” he announced during the 2025 PNG Update at the University of Papua New Guinea.
“The Kimbe Port, the first upgrade underway, is supporting local jobs via local construction companies and supply chains,” he said.
Mr McDonald said the AIFFP-funded PNG Ports Infrastructure Investment Program was focused on strengthening connectivity and supply chain efficiency across Papua New Guinea.
“This is the largest program in AIFFP portfolio. Using projects to provide opportunities for the national industry should be a goal for all development partners in PNG. Certain parts of the upgrade were only open to quality local firms.”
He added that other aspects, such as the marine works, were contracted to an international company, using a 70 per cent local workforce. The Kimbe Port project would create about 300 local jobs during construction.
Mr McDonald said he supported Prime Minister James Marape’s vision for high-quality infrastructure built by Papua New Guinean companies.