TE (PNG) is proud to announce the grand opening of its newly completed showroom on Gabaka Street, coinciding with the company’s 70th year of operations in Papua New Guinea.
Since its founding in 1955, TE (PNG) has grown into a trusted technology partner for communities across the country. The new Gabaka Street showroom reflects this legacy and the company’s continued investment in delivering modern, reliable solutions to its customers. With a focus on showcasing its expanding product and service range, the facility has been purpose-built to enhance customer experience and accessibility.
Robbie Huxley, Managing Director since 2018, acknowledged the milestone as both a moment to reflect and look forward. “I’ve had the privilege of leading TE (PNG) for the past several years, and I’m proud to be part of a team that continues to build on the company’s strong Papua New Guinean roots,” Mr. Huxley said. “This new showroom represents more than just growth—it's a symbol of our long-standing presence in PNG and our commitment to innovation as the country prepares to celebrate 50 years of independence.”
Mr. Huxley also paid tribute to the company’s staff. “Our success over the years has been driven by the skills and dedication of our Papua New Guinean workforce. They are the backbone of our business, delivering professional solutions to international standards, every day.”
The launch event was attended by representatives from government, industry, and the local community, who were invited to explore the new space and speak with TE (PNG)'s team about the company’s CHIBES offerings—Communications, Hospitality Equipment, Information Technology, Broadcast & Audio, Electrical & Hardware, and Security Systems.
TE (PNG)’s new showroom is now open to the public.
About TE (PNG):
Founded in 1955, TE (PNG) is a leading technology integration and solutions provider in Papua New Guinea. With a focus on innovation, quality, and customer service, the company continues to serve industries and communities across the country. TE (PNG) is committed to developing local expertise and supporting the next generation of technical professionals.
Across the resource and energy sectors, developers have turned to modular composite construction for camps, office complexes, and a wide range of support buildings—recognising its clear advantages over traditional timber solutions. Modular systems engineered by Ark offer superior performance in key areas including durability, minimal maintenance requirements, and resistance to termites and rot. They also deliver enhanced fire safety and thermal insulation. Just as importantly, modular components are designed for rapid, safe, and efficient assembly—making them an ideal choice for remote or time-sensitive projects.
Ark delivered its first LNG camp in PNG in 2010 – a 1,000 person, multi-storey accommodation complex and support buildings assembled by a 99 percent local workforce in less than one year. Fifteen years on, Ark’s camps are established across PNG, with the company’s modular solutions increasingly being adopted by organisations beyond the resource sector.
General Manager, Ark Pacific, Cass Ruka says that Ark has invested heavily in perfecting its product for PNG’s challenging building environment. “We’re an ISO9001 certified company with plenty of other certifications attesting to quality, such as our Australian-compliant fire safety ratings and our internationally rated insulation.” Ark’s innovations in insulation technology enhance indoor comfort while significantly reducing the need for heating and cooling—lowering operational costs and boosting the overall sustainability of its buildings.
Despite timber’s natural beauty, even when treated it is still susceptible to termites and wood rot thrives in the tropics. Timber is also a highly combustible material. Given the safety risks—particularly in large-scale capital investments such as workforce camps that must accommodate hundreds or even thousands of personnel—it’s no surprise that developers are increasingly steering away from timber construction when they can.
Ruka explains that timber buildings also take longer to construct than their modern modular alternatives and also incur higher freight costs. Alternatively, Ark’s products are designed for rapid assembly – even by unskilled labour – and they enjoy a freight footprint of up to 70 percent less than competitors’ products. Six of Ark’s flat pack units are equivalent to a single standard 20 foot shipping container when stacked together ready for transport. This equates to fewer ships, trucks, barges, etcetera when building with Ark.
In addition to increasingly refining its product for PNG’s challenging and often remote construction environment, Ark is investing in a stock facility and additional staff in Lae. Scheduled to open in Q3, the facility will hold up to 20 complete modular units (enough for a large office complex or small camp), as well as ablution blocks and a wide range of spare parts (from nuts and bolts to spare walls).
Ruka reports that customers value the prospect of placing an order and having it on site within a couple of days. “We’ll have everything flat-packed and ready to go at the facility—it’ll simply be a matter of loading it onto a truck. Alternatively, if the client prefers, we can pre-assemble the units in our yard before dispatching them to site.”
Steamships recently announced the appointment of Ruth Kissam, who joined the Steamships team as General Manager of Corporate Affairs. She is the first woman to hold the position within the Company, and with the historical appointment, Steamships reinforces its commitment to closing gender gaps as Ruth leads an all-female-Papua New Guinean team.
A respected leader, advocate, and changemaker, Ruth Kissam brings a wealth of experience in grassroots development, community engagement, and advocacy. In her new role, she will oversee Steamships’ communications, sustainability, and community engagement efforts, leading a dynamic and all-female team of Papua New Guinean professionals. Her appointment marks a milestone in Steamships’ commitment to gender equity and the empowerment of women in leadership roles.
"Ruth’s appointment reflects Steamships’ ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for capable, passionate Papua New Guinean women to lead," said Steamships Managing Director Chris Daniells. “We believe that empowering women in leadership not only strengthens our company but also helps build a more inclusive and resilient future for Papua New Guinea.”
Kissam’s all-female team challenges the gender norms and is spearheading key initiatives across the company’s corporate affairs portfolio, ensuring that community, sustainability, and inclusive growth remain central to Steamships’ operations.
“I’m proud to lead a team of smart, dedicated Papua New Guinean women who are passionate about making a difference,” said Ruth Kissam. “Together, we’re not just representing women in leadership, we’re reshaping what leadership looks like through an iconic company that has played a significant role in the growth of this great nation.”
Steamships has a proud history of taking active steps to grow women in senior leadership positions, nurturing local talent and promoting based on merit. These included Seini Fisi’ihoi who was the General Manager of Human Resources 2022-2023, and Deborah Onga previously Steamships’ youngest member of the Senior Management team, taking the position as Group Legal Counsel December 2020 – March 2024.
Westpac is proud to mark 115 years of continuous service in Papua New Guinea with the return of one of the country’s most prestigious recognition platforms the Westpac Outstanding Women (WOW) Awards.
Established to honour exceptional women who are making significant contributions across business, government, community, education and social development, the WOW Awards return at a milestone moment when both Westpac and Papua New Guinea are celebrating landmark anniversaries. In 2025, Westpac marks 115 years in the country, while PNG celebrates 50 years of Independence.
“Westpac has been part of Papua New Guinea’s story for over a century. We’ve stood alongside communities through major transitions, and this year is especially meaningful,” said Andrew Cairns, Chief Executive Officer, Westpac PNG. “Bringing back the WOW Awards in 2025 reflects our commitment to celebrating the people who are shaping PNG’s future. Women are at the heart of progress in every sector and when we back them, we back the nation.”
The 2025 WOW Awards will honour seven (7) category winners, including an overall Westpac Outstanding Woman of the Year. Each winner will receive a K5,000 grant to support their professional or community development, along with mentorship, and fully funded travel and accommodation to participate in the awards program and associated leadership engagements.
From a business perspective, the return of the WOW Awards reflects Westpac’s values-driven approach to leadership. It is a strategic move that reinforces the Bank’s focus on inclusion, empowerment, and long-term impact, and provides a platform for celebrating the achievements of women who are breaking barriers and leading change in their industries and communities.
Throughout its 115-year presence in PNG, Westpac has consistently played a role beyond banking. Serving as a partner in nation-building, economic development, and community upliftment. The WOW Awards, last hosted in 2021, have previously launched the careers of many women who have gone on to lead, influence policy, and mentor the next generation.
This year, the Awards will honour new voices and stories, while reigniting the national conversation around gender equity, leadership and opportunity.
“We are proud of our history, but even more excited about the future. Westpac remains deeply committed to backing women, backing business, and backing PNG,” added Mr. Cairns. “Our legacy is built on trust and service, and we will continue to walk alongside Papua New Guinea in the years to come.”
BSP Financial Group Limited’s (BSP) Port Moresby Branch is undergoing a full refurbishment —a key part of the bank’s ongoing modernisation program aimed at delivering a better, faster, and more convenient banking experience for all customers.
BSP Group General Manager – Retail, Ronesh Dayal, in announcing this said the bank is upgrading one of its most iconic branches to bring customers a more modern and seamless banking experience.
“To ensure there’s no disruption to our services during this exciting transformation, we’ve temporarily relocated all banking operations to the mezzanine floor of the Port Moresby Branch building, effective today – Monday, 19th May 2025.
“All banking services will continue at the temporary location, including Teller transactions, customer enquiries, new account openings, Lending services, and Digital banking support. Our friendly staff are ready and available to assist you at every step,” he added.
This refurbishment marks the second major upgrade under our modernisation program, following the successful reopening of our Waterfront Branch in November 2024.
“The Port Moresby Branch, a trusted financial hub since 1st May 1957, is being transformed to reflect BSP’s long-term commitment to innovation and customer-first service. Once completed in August 2025, the new branch will feature a refreshed, modern layout and enhanced digital banking solutions—making everyday banking even easier. Similar upgrades are planned across key locations in Papua New Guinea as part of BSP’s commitment to the prosperity and progress of the communities we serve,” Mr Dayal further added.
In the meantime, BSP Paramount Banking Team has relocated to Level 2, Moki Business Park, Waigani, and continues to support BSP’s valued customers.
“Thank you for your continued support as we build the future of banking in PNG,” Mr Dayal concluded.
Komatsu Australia is looking forward to meeting the needs of Papua New Guinea customers following the acquisition of existing distributor company, UMW Niugini Limited. The business has been renamed Komatsu Niugini Limited (KNL).
Sean Taylor, Komatsu Australia Managing Director says the acquisition follows a change in the ownership structure of the joint venture parties that previously owned UMW Niugini Ltd.
“As a result of this change in structure, KNL has become a fully owned part of the Komatsu Group. Komatsu Australia is the obvious choice to manage Komatsu Niugini going forward, given our proven expertise and success in the Oceania region,” he says.
“The KNL team will be able to draw on the resources of the broader Komatsu Australia business, especially our technical expertise and training capabilities to support machine troubleshooting and workforce development. We hope this acquisition will also benefit our Australian customers who have connections in PNG as well.”
Komatsu products have been distributed in PNG since its incorporation in 1970, and the local team has established itself as a leading supplier of construction and mining equipment, as well as power generation solutions. The company holds significant market share in the PNG’s heavy equipment sector supporting a machine population in excess of 1200 Komatsu machines. KNL employs approximately 100 people and services major customers including Morobe Mining, Monier (PNG), Digicel (PNG), Construct Oceanic and IPWENZ Construction.
The acquisition was completed on 1st May 2025 with Dash Rayat leading the business as General Manager of Komatsu Niugini Limited (KNL) as part of the transition from UMW Niugini Ltd. The main office will continue to operate from its Port Moresby base.
“Our local PNG customers can expect the same level of support they have always had from their trusted local experts, now supported by the wider Australian business. We look forward to welcoming the KNL team and building on the strong foundations already in place in the region, while leveraging our global expertise to create value together,” Sean says.
Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Ruth Waram to the position of Manager Media & Public Relations, reporting to the General Manager People & Culture.
Ms Waram commenced work with Ok Tedi this week and is based at its Port Moresby Office. For the next three months, Ms Waram will initially focus on supporting the PNG Chamber of Resources and Energy Team to deliver on the Chamber’s PNG’s 50th Independence Anniversary Grand Exhibition.
She brings to OTML over three decades of experience in journalism, corporate communications, media relations, and stakeholder engagement and most recently serving as Manager Communications & External Affairs with Newmont Corporation at their Lihir Operations. Her extensive background includes key senior roles with Oil Search Limited, where she led communications during major national events such as the 2018 APEC Leaders’ Summit, the 2018 Earthquake Relief effort in Southern Highlands, and the Rugby League World Cup.
She began her career as a journalist with Times Newspaper and Post Courier, later progressing into leadership positions in the media and public relations field. Ruth’s strength in strategic communications, event management, and public image development has earned her national recognition, including multiple journalism awards and roles in high-level industry forums.
Ms Waram also brings her passion for community service, including voluntary leadership roles experiences with the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Port Moresby and the PNG Orchids Women’s Rugby League Team.
“We are pleased to have Ms Waram join Ok Tedi and we are looking forward to her contributions to this great company,’’ said Kevin Russell, General Manager People and Culture at OTML.
“I am excited at this opportunity to join Ok Tedi Mining Limited, a very successful Papua New Guinea company, that is thriving in the mining sector, and I look forward to working with the team,’’ Ms Waram said.
Ok Tedi Mining Limited continues to develop Papua New Guineans as the country prepare to celebrate 50 years of independence.
The company, through its Training and Development Team has applauded ten students that recently graduated from the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (UoT) on April 11th and University of Papua New Guinea on April 28th .
The graduands will now join OTML’s Graduate Development Scheme later in the year.
OTML Manager Training & Development Ian Strachan highlighted the significance of the company’s drive in its legacy of building young professionals at an early stage.
“At OTML, people are our greatest resource, most of them come through tertiary institutions including Unitech, UPNG, and DWU. OTML invests substantial amount of money every year in its Undergraduate Scholarship Program, Graduate Development Scheme (GDS), Apprenticeship Training, Preferred Area Development (PAD), Industrial Training Program, and On-The-Job (OTJ) Trainings,” Mr Strachan said.
“It is evident that we are not only committed to developing OTML’s human resource, but also PNG’s human resource,” Mr Strachan added
Brian Ngi Sissan Titley, the recipient of the OTML award at UoT, graduated with the highest GPA. He acknowledged OTML’s support on behalf of his colleagues for the assistance in industrial trainings, school fee aids, book allowances, and travel assistances.
“The scholarship has eased the financial burden on my parents. I have two other siblings who could not start school earlier. When OTML sponsored me, my parents were able to pay for my siblings’ school fees,” said Mr Titley.
Mr Strachan stated the 10 graduates had successfully maintained their GPAs throughout their studies.
“Their success reflects not only their personal commitment but also OTML’s ongoing investment in developing future leaders for Papua New Guinea. These achievements have been rewarded as they have secured their spots in OTML’s two-year GDS program,” Mr Strachan said.
As a responsible corporate citizen, OTML is committed to investing in the education and development of Papua New Guinea's future leaders. This is evident with the company’s financial support to promising students pursuing higher education in relevant fields such as engineering, geology, applied physics, environmental science, surveying, accounting, and more.
Since the inception of the training programs, OTML has trained 1,161 Apprentices, 700 PAD trainees, 50 Industrial trainees, 30 OTJ students and 70 students have successfully graduated through the Undergraduate Scholarship program.
Margaret Aka, 2018 Sports Category Award winner of the Women of Westpac (WoW) Award winner and renowned sports consultant currently attached with Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), credits the WoW Awards for being a powerful turning point in her career and personal growth.
Known for her tireless advocacy in youth and women’s development through football, Margaret’s journey is one of passion, purpose, and perseverance. Since receiving the WoW Award, she has continued to break barriers and becoming a role model for women in sports, not just in PNG but across the Pacific.
“Being recognised by the WoW Awards was more than just a title. It gave me confidence and validation that the work I do in sports has real impact. It pushed me to dream bigger and aim higher,” Margaret shared.
Margaret’s commitment to sports development has taken her from local fields in PNG to global platforms with OFC. She uses her voice and experience to create pathways for young athletes, especially girls, to see sports as a tool for education, leadership, and opportunity.
Her story is a reminder of what can be achieved when women are supported, seen, and celebrated,
The WoW Awards, an initiative by Westpac PNG, recognises and uplifts women who are making a difference in their communities and industries. Margaret’s journey continues to inspire future generations of women leaders and athletes.
The 2025 WOW Awards will honour seven category winners, including an overall Westpac Outstanding Woman of the Year. Each winner will receive a K5,000 grant to support their professional or community development, along with mentorship, and fully funded travel and accommodation to participate in the awards program and associated leadership engagements.
As Westpac PNG celebrates 115 years of service, stories like Margaret’s reaffirm the importance of empowering women to drive positive change on the field and beyond.
Steamships is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms. Ruth Kissam as the new General Manager of Corporate Affairs. Ruth is a Community Organiser and Human Rights Activist by training and passion. She has been in the development space for over 16-years and has an impressive record working with a wide range of stakeholders at public and private levels and championing campaigns and impactful causes that have made a real difference in both civil society and in grass roots communities.
Most recently with United States Institute for Peace (USIP) as their Strategic Advisor and held various advisory roles with international development partners, Ruth has extensive experience with government, corporate and community engagement and is very well connected and respected with a wide and established network. Ruth also holds multiple board level positions.
“Ruth’s passion for human rights and deep understanding of PNG’s social and economic landscape align perfectly with our strategy to drive positive change and support the execution of Steamships strategy as we prepare for a period of sustained growth over the next 3-years,” said Chris Daniells, Steamships Managing Director.
Ruth’s career includes leadership roles with international NGOs, advocacy for marginalised groups, and advisory work on governance and human rights. Ruth brings a wealth of experience in corporate responsibility, sustainability and strategic communications. Her leadership will further strengthen Steamships’ commitment to sustainable business practices, community partnerships, and inclusive growth in Papua New Guinea.
"I’m honored to join Steamships as General Manager of Corporate Affairs. After years of working in the NGO and humanitarian sector, I’m excited to build bridges between community needs and business objectives,” said Ms. Kissam, “Steamships has a long history of contributing to Papua New Guinea’s development, and I look forward to aligning our efforts with its strategic goals to create shared value for both the company and the communities we serve."
Ruth studied Law at the University of PNG for two years, is an Obama Fellow at Columbia University and a Draper Hills Fellow (Fisher Family) at Stanford University.
Matzuz Aid Post on Lihir Island, New Ireland Province now has reliable lighting to the facility for the first time after BSP Lihir installed a solar power system.
The Community project initiative, saw BSP Lihir staff volunteer their time outside work to make significant improvement to the health facility, located 40km from the main Lihir Township for the local community.
This improvement now means healthcare workers no longer have to rely on torchlights to treat patients during the night. The solar system now powers the entire Aid Post, enabling a better environment for medical staff to administer patient care.
BSP Lihir staff went beyond the installation itself, contributing their time and effort to paint the Aid Post and enhance the surroundings, creating a more welcoming healthcare facility for the community.
The handover ceremony, held on May 3rd, 2025, was officiated by key community leaders, including Ward 9 Member Honourable Robert Huonanayal, Aid Post Chairman Tom Arau, church leader Peter Uspor, contractor representative Bobby Samuel, and other community members. BSP Lihir Deputy Manageress Grace Ngatia said BSP is proud to partner in championing prosperity across the community through this Aid Post.
"The successful completion of this solar-powered lighting project at Matzuz Aid Post reflects BSP’s ongoing commitment to developing sustainable solutions for our communities. Access to reliable lighting will enhance healthcare services, improve safety, and ensure that medical assistance is available at all hours,” Ngatia said.
Ward Member Robert Huonanayal expressed his deep appreciation, commending BSP for the positive impact of the project.
“Now, our Aid Post has proper lighting, ensuring our health workers can care for patients at night without difficulty. This is a huge step forward for our community,” he said.
The Community Project initiative show’s BSP’s commitment to supporting rural communities and improving essential services.
Steamships is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Emmanuel Auru as the new Group Legal Counsel. With over 16 years of experience across competition law, mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, and economic regulation, Emmanuel joins Steamships from Westpac (PNG) where he held the position of Head of Legal & Company Secretary.
“After an extensive search, we are delighted to be welcoming Emmanuel to the team,” said Managing Director Chris Daniells “He is joining at a particularly exciting time for Steamships as the company positions itself for a sustained period of growth with a multitude of projects on the horizon. Emmanuel has a wide range of experience working across both the Public and Private sectors and is a great fit for the business. He will play a key role in supporting our ambitions for the future.”
Earlier in his career, Emmanuel held various senior management roles at the ICCC and international law firm Allens Linklaters, where he assisted the PNG competition regulator in undertaking competition law legislative reforms, SOE reforms and market studies. Some of his notable projects include ExxonMobil’s acquisition of InterOil assets in 2016, the restructure of Telikom PNG Ltd, Bmobile PNG Ltd and DataCo PNG Ltd in 2017, and the merger between Santos Ltd and Oil Search in 2021.
“Steamships, to me, is a generational company with a long and proud history of building and serving Papua New Guinea and its people. It’s a household name in PNG that my grand parents, parents and I grew up depending and relying on, and on the eve of PNG’s 50th Independence, I am honoured and privileged to be part of the Steamships company and continue its legacy of contributing to the development and prosperity of PNG, and her people for over 100 years,” said Emmanuel Auru.
Emmanuel holds a master’s degree from Melbourne University, a Bachelor of Law from University of Papua New Guinea and post graduate certifications from the PNG National Research Institute, the Merger Training Institute of London, and the Australian National University.
Outside of his career in Law, Emmanuel was a successful sportsman, representing Papua New Guinea in rugby union and won a bronze medal in the 2007 South Pacific Games, and is currently a Judiciary Member of Capital Rugby Union, Port Moresby (since 2017) and World Rugby Union Citing Commissioner (since 2022).
Thirty-five professionals from various testing laboratories across Papua New Guinea have been awarded certificates after successfully completing a fourday training on the International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017 – general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration of laboratories.
The training was conducted at the Crown Hotel in Port Moresby from April 28 to May 1st and was facilitated by the PNG Laboratory Accreditation Scheme under the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT).
The course focused on core aspects of ISO/IEC 17025:2017, including internal audit practices, method validation and verification, and the principles of measurement uncertainty.
The objective was to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to implement and maintain robust quality management systems that ensure laboratory accuracy, consistency, and impartiality in testing and Accreditation.
The course was facilitated by Mr. Wai Yin Lawrance Wong, an experienced trainer based in Australia. Mr. Wong holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Chemistry and a Master of Science in Environmental Management from the University of Hong Kong. He is the founder of 1A Accreditation and Quality Consultant, established in 2022, and provides consultancy and training services on ISO/IEC 17025 to laboratories worldwide.
Mr. Wong previously worked for the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), Australia, for 17 years as a Senior Accreditation Specialist. He also served as a Technical Assessor for the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) for over a decade. Before that, he was a laboratory manager overseeing one of Hong Kong’s most advanced environmental testing facilities at the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre.
NISIT’s newly appointed Acting Director, Mr. Joe Panga, congratulated all participants and encouraged them to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen practices within their respective organisations.
“After this training, you can now return to your organizations with greater confidence, enhanced skillsets, and the ability to mentor others—creating a ripple effect of competence and growth across your respective fields,” Mr. Panga said.
“You have now gained a clear understanding of how to properly conduct testing, calibrations, and measurements. You have learned about internationally accepted best practices that can improve your ability to deliver precise and reliable results.
“These days, we’ve lost touch with our cultural values, and that influences how we conduct ourselves at work. We must uphold honesty, respect, and high standards to raise the quality of our work. Challenges are inevitable, but how we address them defines our success. At NISIT, we aim to set a benchmark to become the best standards authority in the Pacific.”
Mr. Panga also commended Mr. Wong, stating, “Through our international affiliations, we’re able to bring in experts like Mr. Wong who possess deep knowledge and experience. Their insights are invaluable to our development.”
Participants in the training came from various organizations, including:
One participant, Mr. Larson Kitao from the National Fisheries Authority and a member of the Testing Laboratories Accreditation Board (TLBAB), said:
“The training was insightful and essential in aligning our practices with international standards. I commend NISIT for organizing such a well-structured and informative session.”
On a broader scale, the training supports PNGLAS and the country’s goals of:
Islands Petroleum Charity Colour Run 2025 – We Are One
Mark your calendars and join us in spreading colour, unity, and hope across Papua New Guinea!
📅 Event Dates & Locations
• 29 June – Takubar Sports Ground, Kokopo @ 7AM
• 13 July – Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium, Lae @ 6AM
• 27 July – Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, Port Moresby @ 6AM
This nationwide initiative aims to bring communities together in support of vital health and education services. Proceeds and sponsorships—both in cash and in kind—will benefit:
✅ St. Mary's Hospital, Vunapope (ENB)
✅ Nonga General Hospital (ENBP)
✅ Milford Haven Medical Clinic & Primary School
✅ Port Moresby General Hospital (A&E and O&G Departments)
Together, We Are One. Be a part of something meaningful.
The Board of Ok Tedi Mining Limited has endorsed the appointment of Mark Stone as the Board Chairman, effective immediately.
Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited (KMHL) Board Chairman and OTML Board Director, Dr. Ila Temu, made the announcement.
Dr. Temu said Mark J. Stone has over 30 years of experience working in the international mining industry. While his roles have focussed on leading all people aspects of operating a business, his positions as an active member of various executive leadership teams have equipped him with a solid knowledge of the levers for success in a global mining company.
Mark has worked in Australia, PNG, Africa and South, Central & North America in major resource companies such as BHP, MMG, First Quantum and most recently with Ok Tedi Mining Limited. His commodity experience includes coal, copper, gold, silver and manganese.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Newcastle (Australia) in which he majored in organizational development. He is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute and the Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy.
Mark has a passion for business success to deliver benefits to stakeholders. He believes in good governance and accountability, a clear vision and unlocking the potential of people to produce outstanding results.
Swire Shipping, a leading shipping company in the Asia-Pacific, today announced that three of its vessels serving the South Pacific have made the switch to B24 and B30 2 nd generation biofuel blends. The voluntary move supports Swire Shipping’s long-term sustainability ambitions and will provide more options to customers looking to reduce their emissions.
The three vessels involved in the biofuel programme are Apia Chief and Tonga Chief on the Pacific Weekly Express (PWX) service running direct calls from Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Fiji, and Kokopo Chief on the East Timor (ETS) service which provides direct service every 10 days between Singapore, Dili, Darwin and Surabaya. The vessels will bunker B24 in Singapore in Q2 2025 enroute to the South Pacific, and subsequently transition to B30.
Swire Shipping’s Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy Sutton, said, “At Swire Shipping, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future. The island nations of the South Pacific are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and this move marks an important step in our ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and support a cleaner, greener shipping industry.”
The biofuel programme brings together Swire Shipping and its sister company, Argent Energy, a waste-based biofuel producer, achieving synergies within the Swire Group to meet the shared goal of delivering sustainable energy solutions to customers. The collaboration includes an agreement with BP, a supplier of biofuel in Singapore, to explore new feedstocks of marine fuel.
Argent Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, Louise Calviou, commented, “This successful biofuel programme highlights what can be achieved through strong international partnerships, all united by the common goal of decarbonisation. It has been especially rewarding to work alongside our sister company and other partners to accelerate the use of waste derived biofuels. We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts, with sustainability at the centre of all we do.”
With the launch of its biofuel programme, Swire Shipping will also launch a carbon abatement programme, Voyage to Zero, to help customers decarbonise their supply chains. Participating customers will receive certificates of emission savings, verified by an independent third party, towards the reduction of their Scope 3 emissions.
“Swire Shipping has ambitious voluntary targets for reduction of emissions by 2027. The biofuel programme is a significant milestone in our decarbonisation roadmap, and with Voyage to Zero we are able to offer greater support to customers looking to decarbonise their supply chains. In this first year, the impact of the programme will be comparable to removing 2,700 cars from the road,” said Susana Germino, Chief Sustainability & Energy Transition Officer, Swire Shipping.
In August 2024, Swire Shipping conducted a successful 2nd generation biofuel B24 trial which allowed the company to test operational readiness to adopt biofuels on its owned vessels for the long term.
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