The Department of Works and Highways (DWOH) has taken a major step towards modernising Papua New Guinea’s transport infrastructure with the launch of a consultancy to develop the country’s first legal and institutional framework for a railway network.
A pre-start meeting for the consultancy contract was held on 5 December, marking the commencement of planning for the proposed railway system. International law firm Leahy Lewin Lowing Sullivan (LLLS) has been awarded the contract to draft the legal framework that will underpin railway development in PNG.
The initiative is being led by the Railway Development Program Office within DWOH, which is tasked with delivering the project through a phased implementation approach, with clearly defined milestones and deliverables.
Laying the Legal and Institutional Foundations
The structured approach is expected to provide certainty for stakeholders while establishing the legal and institutional foundations required for PNG’s first railway transport network. Secretary for Works and Highways Gibson Holemba highlighted the importance of the consultancy in ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of the project.
“This initiative is about positioning government, technical experts, and legal partners to work together in delivering a complex, nation-building project,” Secretary Holemba said.
He explained that the initial phase of the railway network is planned along the Markham stretch of the Highlands Highway in Morobe Province, connecting the main port in Lae to Watarais.
“This railway is expected to significantly reduce heavy traffic volumes on the Highlands Highway and ease pressure on road infrastructure linking the Highlands Region,” he said. “Once operational, it will play a critical role in supporting key economic sectors, particularly mining and agriculture.”
Secretary Holemba also noted that the consultancy goes beyond drafting legislation. It represents a strategic effort to create an enabling environment for investment, coordination, and long-term infrastructure planning.
Opportunities for Business and Economic Growth
For the business community, the railway development signals new opportunities across construction, logistics, resource transport, and regional economic growth as PNG moves toward a more diversified transport system.
Representing LLLS, Managing Partner Michael Sullivan emphasised the strategic importance of expanding PNG’s land transport options. While rail transport is not entirely new to the country—having been used during the pre-independence era—modern challenges, particularly land compensation and security concerns, require updated legal solutions.
“These factors make it critical to have a clear and comprehensive legal framework in place before construction begins,” Sullivan said. He added that the consultancy will focus on addressing these challenges in a practical and commercially viable manner.
The launch of the consultancy marks a critical milestone in PNG’s journey toward a modern rail network and a more integrated, efficient transport system.
