Port Overview
The increase in vessel size and carrying capacity and the growing trend toward containerization have had significant impact on all PNG ports, particularly Lae port, PNG’s largest, busiest, and single most important port. Lae port handles about half of the throughput of the 22 declared ports and more than 60% of the international and coastal trade registered in PNGPCL’s ports, and generates more than 50% of PNGPCL’s revenue. It serves as a gateway linking the world market with a large hinterland comprising Morobe province, the city of Lae (the capital of the province, and PNG’s industrial and commercial center), and five resource-rich provinces in the Highlands. The hinterland is home to about half of the population and represents half of the territory. PNG’s most significant road, the Highlands Highway, runs from Lae to the Highlands region, dispensing imports ranging from heavy machinery to food products in the region and bringing the country’s major export items to Lae port. About 50% of PNG exports and 90% of coffee exports are shipped from Lae port.
Lae port has been adapting to the demands of container operations over the past 20 years. But investment in facility maintenance and expansion has not kept pace with the growing trend toward containerization and larger ships. The current five berths at Lae, with a total length of about 520 m, and a total storage area of 53,620 square meters (m2) for cargo marshaling, are aging and cannot handle increasing cargo volumes and ship sizes. Berth 4 for domestic ships can no longer accommodate these ships and is underused. Berth 1, with a total length of 123 m and water depth of 11 m, is suitable for overseas vessels but is now used as a domestic terminal. Overseas vessels are mainly served by berths 2 and 3, which have a total length of 307 m. As a result, port congestion at Lae is frequent, imposing high costs on port users. In 2005, all classes of vessels reportedly spent 210 days waiting for a berth, each day’s delay in the harbor costing a shipping company $8,000–$15,000. Some vessels are turning away from the port. Others are considering imposing congestion charges in the range of $200– $250 per TEU, which will translate into higher costs for importers and exporters, and eventually consumers and the general economy. Port congestion also poses health and safety hazards, and the issue of compliance with the International Shipping and Port Security Code. As Lae port is the principal gateway for PNG, delays at the port have a cascading effect on other ports.
With a throughput reaching 2.4 million revenue tons, Lae port is operating at the limits of its capacity. The situation is expected to deteriorate, as the economic prospects for PNG remain strong, and the hinterland of the port is experiencing a boom in development. Some shipping companies have already purchased more ships, and are increasing their demand for efficient modern port infrastructure and management. Failure to expand capacity at this time and to manage Lae port more efficiently will dampen economic development.
Port website: http://www.pngports.com.pg/index.php/lae-port
Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com
For more information about the Port of Lae services, contacts and rates, please see Annex 2.1.1.
Port Location and Contacts |
|
---|---|
Country |
PAPUA NEW GUINEA |
Province or District |
Morobe Province |
Town or City (Closest location) |
City of Lae |
Port's Complete Name |
Seaport of Lae (UN/LOCODE: PGLAE) |
Latitude |
-6.741111 |
Longitude |
146.9856 |
Managing Company or Port Authority |
PNG Ports Corporation Limited |
Management Contact |
Telephone: +675 472 2477 |
Closest Airport and Frequent Airlines to / from International Destinations |
Airport Name:
International Airlines:
|
Port Picture
Description and Contacts of Key Companies
Port Contacts |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Port Operating Company |
PNG Ports Corporation Ltd. |
||
Telephone |
+675 308 4200 |
Fax |
+675 321 1546 |
Website |
|||
Port Operations |
PNG Ports Corporation Ltd. |
||
Telephone |
+675 472 2477 |
Fax |
+675 472 2543 |
|
For more information, please see the following link: 4.4 Papua New Guinea Port and Waterways Contact List
Port Performance
PNGPCL insists on the confidentiality of its port traffic indicators.
Handling Figures |
2005 |
---|---|
Vessel Calls |
+/- 700 |
Container Traffic (TEUs) |
23,811 TEUs |
Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges
For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link: http://www.pngports.com.pg/index.php/tariff
General Notice:
- Except when explicitly mentioned, all the rates mentioned in this chapter are in Papua New Guinea Kina (PGK) and are excluded of 10% GST (VAT)
- Except when explicitly mentioned, all the rates mentioned in this chapter concern all ports managed by PNGPCL
- The general discharge rates applied by PNGPCL are the same for Lae, Port-Moresby, Kimbe, Vanimo and Samarai. Those rates are “taxes” and are in addition to the rates of the transport companies.
Berthing Specifications
Wharves
Berth |
Length |
Width |
Water Depth |
Deck Height |
---|---|---|---|---|
Berth 1 |
123 m |
12 m |
11 m |
2.7 m |
Berth 2 |
123 m |
12 m |
11 m |
2.7 m |
Berth 3 |
184 m |
37 m |
11 m |
2.7 m |
Berth 4 |
54 m |
13 m |
4.9 m |
2.7 m |
Berth 2 |
35 m |
13 m |
2.7 m |
2.9 m |
Tanker Berth |
100 m |
10 m |
13.7 m |
35 m |
Barge Ramp |
Width 12 m Grade 1 in 8 |
Permissible Loadings
Berth |
Distributed |
Road Vehicle |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Truck |
Semi-trailer |
Forklift |
||
Berth 1 |
1.95 |
T17 |
ST28 |
F5 |
Berth 2 |
1.95 m |
T17 |
ST28 |
F10 |
Berth 3 |
3.90 |
T17 |
ST28 |
F20 |
Berth 4&6 |
3.90 |
T17 |
ST28 |
F12 |
Tanker Berth |
3.92 |
T17 |
ST28 |
F3 |
Wharf Facilities
-
Bulk Handling: The Port has a Vigan Machine and handles Bulk wheat and grain.
-
Storage Area: Under cover storage 14,600 m2, open storage 39,000 m2.
-
Tanker facilities: Tanker Berth length 100 m depth 13 m below LAT and handles all types of fuels, max draft 9.5 m.
- LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas): One 54.86 m berth depth 6.10 m.
- Bunker Provider: Only light fuels are available by road tanker. For heavy oil available by pipe line. Suppliers: Mobil and Inter Oil.
- Water Provider: Water is supplied on request by the Port Authority at Berth.
- Slipways, Ship Repairs & Maintenance: A new dry dock facility is in operation at Motukea (Port Moresby) by Curtain Brothers (PNG) Ltd.
- Waste Disposal: No waste disposal facility is available. Arrangement for disposal can also be done with the Shipping Agents and National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority (NAQIA).
- RO-RO & Passenger Handling: Overseas Wharf (Berths 1-3) accommodates both types of vessels.
Port Handling Equipment
The port is a State Owned Entity (“SOE”) whose ownership is vested in trust with the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) on behalf of the Government of PNG.
Equipment |
Available |
Total Quantity and Capacity Available |
---|---|---|
Dockside Crane |
There are no wharf mounted gantry cranes. However, forklifts are
available and capable of lifting up to 20 ton containers. Shippers are advised to check this before shipping heavier loads. Prior advice and approval must be sought from the relevant Port Authority. |
|
Forklifts |
Yes |
20 tons |
Container Facilities
The following container service companies are operating in Lae seaport:
- All Shipping Agencies: http://www.australasialine.com/asp/index.asp
- Coscon: http://www.coscon.com/home.do
- NYK: https://www2.nykline.com/
Facilities |
20 ft |
40 ft |
---|---|---|
Container Facilities Available |
Available |
Available |
Daily Take Off Capacity (Containers per hour) |
25 per hour |
Customs Guidance
For more information on customs, please see the following links:
1.3 Papua New Guinea Customs Information
Terminal Information
Grain and Bulk Handling
The Port has a Vigan Machine and handles bulk wheat and grain. Capacities exist at the private companies level. Both flour mills have their own bagging system in place.
Main Storage Terminal
Storage Type |
Area (square meters) |
---|---|
Under Cover Storage |
14,600 |
Open Storage |
39,000 |
Stevedoring
Stevedoring is ensured by private companies (annual licensing) in all ports of PNG. The majority of them are sub-companies of Steamships. All companies insist on the confidentiality of their tariffs and rates.
Most of the time, stevedoring operations costs are included in the global service costs ensured by the sea transport companies.
Stevedore Providers
Lae Port Services Pty Ltd
P.O Box 434, Lae
Telephone: (675) 472 1915
United Stevedores
P.O Box 2191 Lae
Telephone: (675) 472 1099
Port Security
Security |
||
---|---|---|
ISPS Compliant (Yes / No) |
Yes |
|
Current ISPS Level |
1 |
Level 1 = Normal, Level 2 = Heightened, Level 3 = Exceptional |