For more than a century, the Steamships Group of businesses has underpinned Papua New Guinea’s maritime and logistics sector. Today, its Logistics Division is the country’s most complete logistics services provider – spanning sea, land, and portside solutions – geared to support the oil, gas, and resources sectors.
Nick Fisher, CEO of Steamships Logistics, highlights the company’s enduring advantage: “Our century-long presence in Papua New Guinea means we understand the terrain, the waterways, and the challenges of moving critical cargo across the country better than anyone.”
Shipping & Towage
Steamships Logistics operates PNG’s most comprehensive coastal and project shipping network through its business, Consort Express Lines. Another of its businesses, Pacific Towing – a full member of the International Salvage Union (ISU) and International Spill Control Organization (ISCO) – provides complementary harbor towage, emergency response, commercial diving, and marine support. Critically, Steamships Logistics can transship international cargo to remote areas of PNG – from riverine landings to isolated coastal communities – so equipment and supplies reach projects on time.
Alistair Skingley, GM of Consort Express Lines, explains: “We connect international cargo to even the most remote inland and coastal destinations, while linking export communities through one accountable logistics chain for oil, gas, and resources clients.”
These capabilities have supported LNG-linked supply chains and contractors serving the country’s first major LNG project (i.e., PNG LNG), and they are configured to support the upcoming execution of its second (i.e., Papua LNG), as well as offshore developments like Pasca A.
Land Freight, Cartage & Heavy Equipment Hire
Beyond the shoreline, Steamships Logistics’ ISO-accredited land operations – East West Transport and JV Port Services – combine to provide true last-mile delivery. The division has a versatile and modern fleet of vehicles as well as a diverse array of mobile plant and heavy equipment for hire (e.g., cranes, reach stackers, forklifts, prime movers, side loaders).
It also manages bulk fuel logistics for aviation and marine customers, supporting continuous operations at energy sites. This integrated land capability is ready to scale for Papua LNG construction logistics and to safely mobilize oversized and hazardous cargo to site.
Project Staging
Steamships Logistics is strategically located at multiple sites throughout PNG – including within and alongside the Portside Business Park development – an emerging logistics precinct adjacent to Port Moresby’s international and domestic wharves. Portside Business Park provides expansive depot and laydown areas – an efficient midstream node for staging, storage, assembly, and dispatch of mining and petroleum equipment.
The park streamlines import handoffs, integrates customs brokerage and heavy-lift handling, and links seamlessly with Steamships’ coastal shipping, river routes, and cartage for onward movement: including transshipment to remote sites. A staged development, Portside Business Park is purpose-built to support Papua LNG, the expansion of PNG LNG, and future major resource developments, including offshore projects.
Joint Ventures for Long-Term Partnerships
For decades Steamships has partnered with local landowner groups in numerous joint venture (JV) partnerships around the country. This JV model is central to how its Logistics Division builds durable, community-aligned logistics solutions. JVs operate across key ports and deliver employment, skills transfer, and earnings that flow back into host communities.
Notably, Gulf Maritime Services and Hebamo Transport were both formed to provide marine and land logistics support for projects including Papua LNG – a clear demonstration of Steamships’ commitment to partnership, local content, and long-term capacity building that the oil and gas sector values.
Boilerplate
Steamships Logistics, a division of the Steamships Group, is Papua New Guinea’s largest full-service logistics provider. With over 2,000 employees – 98% Papua New Guinean nationals – it delivers integrated shipping, transport, and project solutions nationwide. A proud PNG company, Steamships Logistics plays a vital role in driving the nation’s development and connecting PNG to the Pacific and beyond. To learn more about Steamships Logistics: www.steamships.com.pg.
