PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNGPCL) proudly announces the participation of its Chief Commercial Officer Deborah Michelle Onga as a panellist at the 2025 International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) World Ports Conference, held from 7–9 October in Kobe, Japan.
The conference, celebrating the IAPH’s 70th anniversary, gathered more than 200 global port authorities and 170 port-related businesses under the theme “Reinvention and Prosperity in Turbulent Times.” The event brought together international leaders from the IMO, World Bank, UNCTAD, and major global maritime organisations to explore how ports can achieve sustainable growth in an era marked by geopolitical uncertainty, conflict, and climate change.
Maximising the Value of Port Land through Smarter Concessions
Onga was invited as a panellist for the session “Maximising the Value of Port Land through Smarter Concessions,” joining distinguished speakers from Thailand, Chile, and Canada. The discussion focused on how port authorities can structure smarter concession agreements to ensure land is used for its highest economic, operational, and strategic value.
She explained how smarter concessions can transform PNG Ports from a traditional landlord into a strategic asset manager and development catalyst, maximising long-term economic, social, and environmental value for the nation.
Drawing on her leadership of PNG Ports’ commercialisation strategy and its flagship Lae Industrial Park development, Ms. Onga highlighted the company’s ambition to unlock the commercial potential of all 15 of its ports — not only the major gateways of Lae and Port Moresby but also its vital regional ports, including its loss-making CSO ports.
She outlined how improved land utilisation, coupled with a transparent and standardised concession framework, can strengthen investor confidence, ensure governance and integrity, and align with government policy and Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) oversight standards.
Her insights positioned Papua New Guinea as a model for how small developing nations can approach port land management strategically — using concession frameworks that strengthen trade competitiveness, sustainability, and community benefit.
Representing the Pacific at a Global Forum
Onga’s inclusion on the IAPH panel marked a historic milestone — positioning Papua New Guinea at the forefront of Pacific representation on the world stage. While delegates from Fiji, Solomon Islands, and other Pacific nations were in attendance, Onga was the only Pacific voice featured on the official speaker program.
Her participation symbolised a turning point for the Pacific region, which has long been under-represented in global port and maritime discussions. She spearheaded conversations not only for PNG but also for the broader Pacific Islands on how developing economies can transform their ports into engines of national and regional prosperity.
“It was a profound honour to speak for Papua New Guinea and the wider Pacific at such an influential global forum,” said Onga. “For too long, our region’s expertise and perspectives have been overlooked. This opportunity demonstrates that the Pacific has strong, capable voices with real experience to contribute to the global maritime sector.”
She also expressed her appreciation for the collaboration and advocacy of Mike Gallagher, CEO of Ports Australia, whose support helped secure her inclusion on the panel.
“I am sincerely grateful to Mike Gallagher for recognising the importance of Pacific representation and for championing the inclusion of Papua New Guinea. His support ensured our region had a seat at the table — and a voice in shaping the future of global ports,” she said.
Bringing Global Insights Home
Accompanied by PNG Ports Director Ms. Belinda Manning, Onga also gained valuable insights from broader conference discussions centred on how ports can achieve real growth when supply chain resilience is tested by conflict and climate change.
Through networking and dialogue with international peers, Onga and Manning return with key learnings on resilient infrastructure investment, sustainable port innovation, and effective governance frameworks — insights they plan to incorporate into PNG Ports’ future operations, along with a strategy to drive greater Pacific representation and active engagement with the IAPH.
“The knowledge and global connections gained from this conference will help PNG Ports advance its commercialisation strategy and position Papua New Guinea’s ports as regional leaders in sustainability and trade facilitation,” Onga added.
Founded in 1955, the IAPH is a global alliance representing over 200 port authorities and 173 businesses across more than 90 nations. The Association serves as a key platform for collaboration, policy exchange, and innovation among the world’s leading maritime and logistics organisations. The 2025 conference marked its 70th anniversary, reaffirming its commitment to connecting ports and people worldwide.
