Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, announced its debut in Papua New Guinea with the opening of Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites – a 394-key hotel located in Port Moresby’s central business and government district, five minutes from Jacksons International Airport and connected to the Vision City Mega Mall – marking Marriott International’s second property in the country and a significant milestone for the brand’s expansion in the Pacific. 

KEY FACTS: 

• Brand Milestone: First Sheraton Hotels & Resorts property in Papua New Guinea and Marriott International's second hotel in Port Moresby
• Accommodations & Location: 394 keys, including guestrooms, suites and fully equipped apartments, located in Port Moresby's central business and cultural district, five minutes from Jacksons International Airport and connected to Vision City Mega Mall
• Meetings, Dining & Social Spaces: More than 2,500 square metres of meeting and event space, including Papua New Guinea's largest ballroom, complemented by multiple dining venues and the new Sheraton Club
• Wellness & Recreation: Infinity swimming pool, one of Port Moresby's largest fitness centres and a full-service day spa

Jason Nuell, Regional Vice President Marriott International – Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, said: “The opening of Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites marks a significant milestone as we introduce one of Marriott International’s most global brands to Papua New Guinea. With Sheraton’s focus on intuitive design, technology-enabled experiences and spaces that foster connection, the hotel is positioned to become a central gathering place for both international travellers and the local community, seeking trusted hospitality.” 

A Space to Gather, Connect, and Belong

Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites’ lobby embodies the brand’s design philosophy and serves as a welcoming heart of the hotel, a vibrant, open space thoughtfully designed to foster community connection, productivity, and a sense of belonging. With large windows welcoming natural light, the spaces create a warm and inviting atmosphere designed to bring people together. Whether it’s families, business travelers, or longer stay guests the expansive lobby has been repositioned as an open, shared space, aiming to promote social interaction and collaboration. Anchored by Sheraton’s signature Community Table the space invites guests to gather, work, or unwind in an environment that blends residential warmth with modern functionality. Guests can also retreat into the soundproof Booths, offering a quiet space with privacy without breaking the flow of the open lobby experience. Tech-enabled Studios provide a polished but informal setting for guests to engage, innovate, and connect effortlessly.

Refined Accommodations Designed for Every Type of Stay

Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites features 394 accommodation rooms, including 284 guestrooms, 15 suites and 95 apartments, designed to meet the needs of both business and leisure travellers. The apartments include separate living areas, kitchens and dining spaces, supporting extended stays and family travel, while rooms reflect Sheraton’s contemporary design approach with functional layouts and integrated technology.

Meetings & Event Spaces Meant to Foster Connection

The hotel features over 2,500 square metres of meeting and event space, with the largest ballroom in Papua New Guinea. Designed for large-scale conferences, corporate meetings and social gatherings, the flexible venues are supported by integrated technology and dedicated event planning services.

This scale positions the hotel as a key hub for government, corporate and resource sector events in Port Moresby.

Dining and Social Spaces: Destination Dining and All-Day Gathering Places 

Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites brings together a collection of distinctive dining and social venues designed to serve both hotel guests and the local diners, from refined destination dining and vibrant all-day restaurants to intimate cocktail experiences and relaxed poolside spaces.

Silverleaf, the hotel’s exclusive destination restaurant, offers an elevated à la carte dining experience centred on premium seafood and meat grilled over the Josper, complemented by Mediterranean-inspired flavours, private dining and sweeping city views. Greenhaus delivers a vibrant, contemporary buffet experience across all meal periods, with live cooking stations, artisan breads, New Guinea coffee, freshly baked pastries and globally inspired themed dining experiences.

At the heart of the lobby, &More by Sheraton is a dynamic fusion of a coffee shop, market stall, and laidback bar, where guests can seamlessly transition from a morning coffee to an evening cocktail. The space is designed for both social gatherings and solo relaxation, with locally inspired beverages and freshly made pastries.  The broader dining offering also includes Monsoon Bar & Lounge, a lively sports and entertainment venue with cocktails, premium beverages and Australian and American-style pub favourites, and the Pool Bar & Café, a relaxed resort-style escape serving international favourites. 

Wellness Facilities That Invite Guests to Relax and Reset 

The hotel offers a range of wellness facilities including an infinity swimming pool with panoramic views, Sheraton Fitness – one of the city’s most comprehensive fitness offerings, and a full-service day spa. These facilities are designed to support both short stays and extended visits, catering to business travellers and leisure guests alike.

Prime Location Positioned for Ease & Discovery Located in Port Moresby’s government, sporting, commercial and cultural hub, the hotel is positioned just five minutes from Jacksons International Airport and is directly connected to Vision City Mega Mall, one of the city’s leading retail and entertainment destinations. Directly across the road, the Papua New Guinea Football Stadium offers guests direct access to the nations favourite sporting matches.

The integration with retail, dining and entertainment offerings reinforces the hotel’s role as a central hub for both visitors and locals and offers guests continual security and peace of mind to enjoy an array of shopping, dining and entertainment experiences while in Port Moresby. 

Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites General Manager, Shin Ching, said: “The opening of Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites after it’s transformative renovation represents an important milestone for Papua New Guinea’s hospitality sector - bringing the global Sheraton brand and much-loved hospitality experiences to Papua New Guinea. We are thrilled to welcome guests to Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites, a place where travelers from around the world and locals can connect, relax, and create memories. We look forward to the Grand Opening Event slated for later this year, where we will officially launch Sheraton’s arrival to Papua New Guinea”

Sheraton Port Moresby Stanley Hotel & Suites strengthens Sheraton Hotels & Resorts’ presence of 8 other Sheraton properties across the Australia, New Zealand and Pacific region, where the brand continues to evolve through its global transformation focused on design, experiences and community connection.  As Marriott International’s second property in Papua New Guinea, the opening reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to growth in the Pacific region.

FX Business Centre, a business unit of the Remington Group, has partnered with the National Judicial Staff Services (NJSS) to digitize decades of court records, marking a major step toward modernizing the country's judicial records management system.

The initiative aims to address the growing challenge of managing the NJSS's extensive archive of physical court documents. The agency currently holds an estimated 96,000 hard-copy court files dating back to the 1930s, making storage, retrieval, and records management increasingly complex.

In Port Moresby alone, about 20 shipping containers filled with legal archives are scheduled to be converted into secure digital records.

Under the partnership, FX Business Centre, through Remington Digital Solutions, will provide end-to-end document digitization and advanced data management services. The project involves scanning individual court files and integrating the digitized records into the judiciary's existing information systems, reducing physical storage requirements while improving document accessibility.

During a recent press conference, Registrar Ian Augerea, senior officials from the archives department, and representatives from Remington outlined the project's objectives and its expected long-term benefits for judicial operations.

"Remington has come on board with a solution that allows us to easily extract data from all scanned documents," Augerea said.

NJSS officials said separating closed cases from active court records will enable staff to retrieve information more efficiently. The digitization project will use ELO, Remington's digital document management platform, to organize, secure, and manage the scanned records.

Once completed, the initiative is expected to eliminate time-consuming manual searches, improve operational efficiency, and significantly reduce the risk of document loss, deterioration, or damage caused by environmental factors.

Westpac PNG recognized seven women for their leadership and contributions to communities across Papua New Guinea during the 2026 Westpac Outstanding Women Awards (WOWA) held in Port Moresby on July 25.

More than 200 nominations were received from across the country, with winners selected in seven categories: entrepreneurship, not-for-profit, private sector, public sector, sustainability, sports and arts, and young achiever.

Stella Ipang was named the 2026 Overall Winner after also taking the Private Sector award. She was recognized for advancing gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) in Papua New Guinea's immunization sector, helping improve access to healthcare for women, children and marginalized communities.

Westpac PNG Board Chairwoman Tamzin Wardley said the awards celebrate women whose leadership and resilience are creating meaningful change.

"The Westpac Outstanding Women Awards recognize women who are breaking barriers, creating opportunities for others and helping shape a stronger future for our nation," Wardley said.

The 2026 category winners are:

• Entrepreneur: Martha Raka

• Not-for-Profit: Jacqueline Mary Boga Garoau

• Private Sector: Stella Ipang

• Public Sector: Elizabeth Tandoa

• Sustainability: Emma Oliver

• Sports & Arts: Wosi Kaeyo

• Young Achiever: Getta Kambar

As the overall winner, Ipang will receive a PGK 5,000 grant, a year-long mentorship program with Westpac PNG, and the opportunity to attend an executive leadership symposium in Australia in 2026 or 2027.

Westpac Pacific Managing Director Emma Low said Ipang's work in advancing inclusion and improving health outcomes distinguished her among a strong field of finalists.

Accepting the award, Ipang said she hoped the recognition would inspire more women and girls to pursue leadership opportunities and make a positive impact in their communities.

Westpac PNG Chief Executive Andrew Cairns said the awards highlight the important role women play in strengthening communities and the nation through service and leadership.

The annual awards recognize women making significant contributions across business, public service, community development, sustainability, sports and the arts in Papua New Guinea.

Steamships has announced a K100 million investment to modernize Pacific Towing's (PacTow) fleet and expand maritime training, reinforcing the company's commitment to safer port operations, reliable marine services and the development of Papua New Guinea's maritime workforce.

The investment includes K70 million for two state-of-the-art tugboats that will become the most powerful and technologically advanced vessels of their kind operating in Papua New Guinea. The first tug, Pacific Responder, is expected to arrive in Port Moresby within the next six to eight weeks, followed by Pacific Resolute, which will be based in Lae.

A further K30 million will be invested in life-extension drydocking, technical upgrades and maintenance across PacTow's existing fleet to enhance operational reliability and ensure uninterrupted services at the country's key ports and trade corridors.

"PNG's ports, waterways and trade are too important to accept anything less than safe, properly maintained marine assets and absolute operational resilience," Steamships Managing Director Chris Daniells said.

"This investment reflects Steamships' commitment to our vision that we do not just operate here—we invest here—and that PNG deserves high-quality vessels, strong local crews and long-term investment in national maritime capability."

PacTow employs more than 250 people, with 97% of its workforce comprising Papua New Guinean nationals. Over nearly five decades, the company has built local maritime expertise through technical and operational training that meets national and international industry standards.

The investment also supports Steamships' Maritime Training Centre (MTC) in Port Moresby, which provides practical training for seafarers across the group's fleet, including PacTow's tug operations. The center also runs initiatives such as the Women in Maritime Scholarship Program, delivered in partnership with the Australian government, Swire Shipping and Consort Express Lines.

PacTow General Manager Gerard Kasnari said the investment would improve service reliability while strengthening the country's maritime workforce.

"This fleet renewal program will strengthen our fleet and support safer, more reliable service for customers," Kasnari said.

"Our tugs are important, but our people are our ultimate strength. Developing PNG's next generation of seafarers is one of the most important contributions we can make at a time when the country urgently needs qualified maritime professionals to support LNG, resource and coastal trade projects."

Beyond harbor towage, PacTow also provides ocean salvage, pollution response and emergency marine services, supporting coastal communities and helping protect Papua New Guinea's marine environment.

Steamships said details of the commissioning and naming ceremonies for Pacific Responder and Pacific Resolute in Port Moresby and Lae will be announced once schedules are finalized.

PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNG Ports) has declared an interim dividend of K22.5 million to its shareholder, Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH), for the 2025 financial year, based on an estimated Net Operating Profit After Tax (NOPAT) of K90 million.

The company said the final dividend for FY2025 will be declared after the completion of its audited financial statements.

The result reinforces PNG Ports' position as one of Papua New Guinea's strongest and most resilient state-owned enterprises. Its network of 15 ports facilitates trade and cargo movements worth an estimated K28.9 billion annually. In 2025, the ports handled 10.8 million tonnes of cargo across 4,838 vessel calls.

Chief Executive Officer Neil Papenfus attributed the result to disciplined operations, operational efficiencies and sustained investment.

"PNG Ports Corporation Limited has once again delivered consistent value to the State. This marks the second consecutive year that PNG Ports has declared the same interim dividend, underscoring our steady, reliable and disciplined financial performance," Papenfus said.

He said the company's performance was driven by efficiency gains, growth in key revenue streams — including wharfage, berthage, storage, pilotage and terminal leasing — as well as strategic investments to modernise facilities at Motukea, Lae and Kimbe.

Minister for State Enterprises William Duma said the dividend demonstrated the progress of the Marape-Rosso Government's state-owned enterprise reform programme.

"This reflects sound financial management and the determination of the Board, management and employees of PNG Ports to ensure our ports system remains both commercially viable and nationally beneficial," Duma said.

"The profit once again delivered by PNG Ports is a shining example of how a state-owned enterprise can be successfully operated as a commercial business while continuing to provide essential services to our people," he added.

Beyond its commercial operations, PNG Ports continues to maintain 12 Community Service Obligation (CSO) ports, which operate below commercial viability but remain open to ensure remote provinces retain vital maritime access. The corporation is also continuing infrastructure upgrades under its 30-Year Port Infrastructure Master Plan.

The Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) has strengthened the governance capabilities of its trust company directors and senior executives through a two-day directors' training programme delivered by the PNG Institute of Directors (PNGID).

About 45 participants, including directors from MRDC trust companies and senior staff from MRDC and its affiliated investment companies, attended the programme, which was held in two batches from July 20 to 21.

The training forms part of MRDC's continuing effort to improve corporate governance standards across the group by equipping directors with a stronger understanding of governance principles, legal and fiduciary responsibilities, compliance requirements, ethical leadership and board effectiveness.

The programme was delivered under the PNGID Directors Development Programme and supports ongoing discussions to formalise a memorandum of agreement between MRDC and PNGID.

Under the proposed agreement, PNGID will provide facilitators and customised training programmes for landowner-based directors, emerging directors and professional directors within the MRDC group.

Participants received certificates of participation upon completing the programme and were offered the opportunity to become members of the PNG Institute of Directors.

MRDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Augustine Mano said the company remained committed to investing in director development to strengthen governance across its operations.

"We look forward to engaging PNGID to facilitate more trainings to deliver tailored directors' training on corporate governance, compliance, and directors' duties and responsibilities for our directors within our group," Mano said.

MRDC said strengthening governance capabilities remains a key priority as it manages resource-derived investments on behalf of Papua New Guinea landowners and other stakeholders.

Pacific Towing (PacTow) is joining the international maritime community in marking the 30th anniversary of the International Convention on Salvage 1989 entering into force—a milestone that continues to underpin marine salvage operations, environmental protection, and maritime safety around the world.

The Convention entered into force in July 1996 and established the internationally recognized legal framework for marine salvage. It reinforced the long-standing principle of "no cure, no pay," meaning professional salvors like PacTow undertake emergency response at their own financial risk and are rewarded only when their efforts are successful.

Although harbor towage is PacTow's core business, the company has successfully completed more than 100 salvage operations across Papua New Guinea and the wider Pacific, supporting shipowners, insurers, governments, and coastal communities.

PacTow General Manager Gerard Kasnari said the anniversary was an opportunity to recognize both the Convention and the people who respond when vessels are in distress.

"The Salvage Convention provides the legal foundation that enables professional salvors to respond quickly and confidently when ships need assistance," Mr. Kasnari said.

"Every successful salvage operation helps protect lives, ships and their cargoes, and the marine environment. Those outcomes are just as important today as they were 30 years ago."

PacTow is proud to be a long-standing full member of the International Salvage Union (ISU) and remains the only full ISU member in Melanesia. The ISU represents the world's leading professional salvage companies and works to promote high standards across the global salvage industry while supporting the continued development of international salvage practices.

The company is also a member of the International Spill Control Organization (ISCO), recognizing the close relationship between marine salvage and environmental protection. Salvage operations often involve managing the risk of fuel, oil, or hazardous cargo entering the marine environment, making effective spill preparedness and response an essential part of modern salvage capability.

PacTow's dedicated salvage, emergency response, and spill response capability is supported by a strategically positioned fleet operating throughout Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. It also has specialized equipment and experienced personnel—including Melanesia's only commercial dive team—trained to respond rapidly to maritime incidents across the region.

Mr. Kasnari said maintaining regional emergency response capability is becoming increasingly important as shipping activity continues to grow throughout Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.

"Papua New Guinea sits on important international shipping routes and supports major resource, energy, and trade industries. Having an experienced, locally based salvage and emergency response capability is critical to keeping vessels moving safely, protecting our marine environment, and supporting confidence in regional trade."

"As PacTow approaches its 50th year of operation in 2027, we remain committed to investing in our people, equipment, and capability so that shipowners and the wider maritime community can rely on a rapid, professional response whenever it is needed."

The Papua New Guinea Chamber of Resources & Energy (PNG CORE) officially launched the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy Statement, championed by the Women in Resources and Energy (WIRE) Committee, during PNG Resources Week 2026.

The milestone framework establishes a clear industry roadmap for diversity, safety and inclusion across Papua New Guinea's mining, petroleum and energy sectors.

The policy directly targets the structural, legal and cultural barriers that women face within the industry and aims to bring positive change to the way women contribute to the resource sector, according to WIRE Chairperson Karo Maha, who is also the Country Manager for New Porgera Limited.

"The reason for this policy is straightforward. PNG cannot build a safe, productive and sustainable resources and energy sector while capable people remain unable to enter, contribute, progress or lead because of barriers unrelated to merit," said Ms Maha.

"Whilst the industry has come a long way, our survey shows that there's still a lot of work left to do," she said.

The 2025 WIRE survey results call for more respectful workplaces, the elimination of workplace bullying, gender bias, intimidation and sexual harassment, stronger leadership and accountability, and more flexible and supportive work practices.

The policy also calls for merit-based recruitment, equitable salaries and promotions, and practical support for people affected by family and domestic violence.

"Inclusion should not stop at the gate of a mine, a project site or a corporate office, but should be reflected in how the sector builds capability and shares opportunity. The lesson is not that the sector has failed; it is that progress is uneven, and good intentions must be supported by clear systems, trusted reporting channels and consistent leadership," Maha said.

Maha said the policy establishes principles that organisations can use as guidelines to determine the most effective way to achieve shared objectives.

The Papua New Guinea Chamber of Resources & Energy (PNG CORE) is the peak industry body representing the mineral resources and energy sectors in Papua New Guinea.

Its mission and vision are to create understanding, generate knowledge and forge relationships that empower Papua New Guinea to capture sustained nation-building benefits from its natural resources.

Steamships Ship Management (SSM) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of  Understanding (MOU) with Tetra Tech Development Pty Ltd, delivery partner of the Australia  Awards PNG Program, reaffirming a long-standing commitment to creating maritime career  pathways for Papua New Guinean (PNG) women. 

The agreement supports the continuation of the Women in Maritime (WiM) Scholarship  Program, providing women with access to maritime education, sea-time training and  professional development opportunities that lead to internationally recognized maritime  qualifications.  

The scholarships fund coursework at the PNG Maritime College, together with participant  stipends, travel and insurance support.  

Under the partnership, SSM will provide structured sea-time training placements, onboard  supervision and mentoring support for up to ten women annually pursuing Officer of the Watch  (Deck) and Officer of the Watch (Engine) qualifications.  

The MOU represents the next chapter of a partnership first established in 2018 by Pacific  Towing (PacTow), which launched one of PNG’s pioneering female maritime cadetship  programs. The initiative reflected PacTow’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality,  workforce diversity and the development of highly skilled PNG seafarers.  

Since its inception, more than 50 PNG women have benefited from the scholarship program,  accelerating their careers through deck and engine cadetships and helping address the  underrepresentation of women across the maritime sector.  

SSM combines the ship management activities previously undertaken by PacTow and Consort  Express Lines, both operating within Steamships Logistics Division. While the current  agreement is signed by SSM, it continues the legacy and achievements of the PacTow  partnership established in 2018.  

“The maritime industry plays a vital role in PNG’s economy and developing skilled national  seafarers is critical to its future,” said Nicholas Fisher, Executive Advisor Marine Fleet &  Investments, Steamships Logistics Division.  

“This partnership gives young PNG women real hands-on experience at sea and a genuine  pathway into careers that have too often been closed to them. We are proud to continue the  work that began under PacTow and open our vessels and our expertise to support the next  generation of PNG seafarers. We thank the Australian Government for its ongoing investment  in the Australia Awards Program, which enables partnerships that strengthen PNG’s maritime  workforce.” 

Beyond scholarship support, PacTow and Steamships have continued to invest in initiatives that  foster a more inclusive maritime industry. These include cadetship and mentoring programs,  leadership development opportunities, workplace policies promoting gender equity, anti-sexual  harassment and family and sexual violence training, and support services that help create safer  and more inclusive workplaces. 

The initiative contributes to addressing critical workforce needs within PNG's maritime sector  while creating greater opportunities for women to pursue rewarding careers at sea and ashore. 

The MOU took effect on 8 July 2026 and will run until 30 June 2027, with the partnership  governed by a join steering committee that will meet quarterly to oversee progress, share  learnings and identify further opportunities for collaboration.  

 TISA Insurance Group has won four awards at the 2026 Insurance Asia Awards, recognizing its operations in Papua New Guinea and Fiji and marking its second consecutive year of success at the regional awards program.

The latest recognition brings the group's total haul to six Insurance Asia Awards over the past two years, underscoring its growth and expansion across the Pacific.

TISA Insurance Papua New Guinea received the Domestic General Insurance Company of the Year and Strategic Partnership Initiative of the Year awards. TISA Insurance Fiji was named International General Insurance Company of the Year and received the Bancassurance Initiative of the Year award.

The Insurance Asia Awards recognize insurers that demonstrate excellence, innovation and customer service across the region.

TISA Group said the awards validate its strategy of integrating banking and insurance services under a single Pacific brand to provide customers with savings, lending, investment and insurance solutions.

Group Chief Executive Officer of TISA and Chairman of TISA Insurance Group Michael O. Koisen accepted the awards on behalf of the group during the ceremony. He was joined by TISA Group Chairman Peter Mason, TISA Insurance Group Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Norton, and TISA Insurance Fiji & Tonga Chief Executive Officer David Ariff Chan.

Koisen said the awards reflect the contributions of employees across the group's operations in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.

"These achievements belong to our people across Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. This recognition reinforces our commitment to serving our communities, customers, members, partners and regulators whose trust we work to earn every day," he said.

Koisen also congratulated the management and staff of TISA Insurance on the achievement, saying the awards highlight the company's continued commitment to delivering value to customers across the Pacific.

TISA has evolved from serving Papua New Guinean workers into a diversified financial services group with operations in five Pacific countries, offering banking, insurance and other financial services aimed at helping individuals and businesses build long-term financial security.

PNG Air has officially bid farewell to its iconic Dash 8 fleet, marking the end of an important chapter in the airline's history and the completion of its transition to a modern, all-ATR fleet.

For decades, the Dash 8 aircraft served Papua New Guinea with distinction, earning a reputation for reliability and versatility while connecting communities, supporting key industries, and operating into some of the country's most challenging airstrips.

As the fleet enters its next chapter, all three Dash 8 aircraft will continue their operational service with new operators overseas. One aircraft recently departed for Kenya, where it will join Renegade Air to support both domestic services and United Nations operations.

PNG Air Chief Executive Officer Mr Brian Fraser said the farewell marked both a proud achievement and a significant milestone for the airline.

"The Dash 8 has been an extraordinary aircraft for PNG Air and for the people of Papua New Guinea. These aircraft have connected communities and supported our nation's growth for many years. While we bid farewell to an important part of our history, we are excited about the future as we continue our transition to a modern ATR fleet," Fraser said.

The retirement of the Dash 8 fleet forms part of PNG Air's broader fleet modernisation programme. As the airline transitions to the ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600, it is investing in the future of regional aviation through modern technology, enhanced safety systems, greater passenger comfort, improved operational performance, and increased environmental sustainability.

The ATR fleet offers industry-leading fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions, supporting PNG Air's commitment to providing safer, more reliable, and more sustainable air services. The aircraft are also well suited to Papua New Guinea's unique operating environment, with the capability to serve regional and remote destinations efficiently.

For nearly four decades, PNG Air has connected the people of Papua New Guinea through safe, reliable, and affordable air services. The airline currently operates more than 460 flights each week across 22 destinations, providing essential passenger and cargo services throughout the country.

Westpac PNG brought together employees and their families from across the country in Port Moresby on 27 June 2026 for its Sporting Day and Gala Night, celebrating teamwork, wellbeing, connection and the strength of its people.

The day was organised by a committee of Westpac PNG employees, reflecting the Bank's focus on bringing its people together and supporting a strong, connected team across its Head Office and branches.

Under the overall theme "Champions by Day, Icons by Night", the event combined an energetic day of sport and family activities with an evening celebration of achievement, culture and connection.

The Fun Day theme was **"Carnivals of Champions"**, inspired by the Harry Potter franchise with a PNG twist. Teams were named after the earth elements in Motu: Tano for Land, Ranu for Water, Lahi for Fire and Lai for Wind/Air.

The day opened with a team parade and warm-up session before employees took part in competitive sports, including rugby touch, futsal, volleyball and netball. Novelty games such as sack races, tug of war, egg-and-spoon races and a water-gun fight added to the fun and encouraged participation across all teams.

A dedicated children's area, supported by three large bouncy castles and family-friendly activities, helped make the day memorable for children and parents. External stakeholders, including Nasfund, NCSL and Business for Health, also joined the activities.

At the Fun Day, Westpac PNG Chief Executive Andrew Cairns spoke informally to staff and their families, linking the activities to the Bank's people theme of Yumi Grow Wantaim.

"The day was really about Yumi Grow Wantaim. We came together to enjoy ourselves, have some fun, compete in the right spirit and spend time with our families and colleagues. More importantly, days like this remind us that we are one Westpac PNG team. When we played together, laughed together and supported each other, we built the connection that helps us grow together at work as well. That was what made the day special."

The Sporting Day closed with a group cool-down session, wrapping up an energetic and inclusive programme that brought employees, families and teams together from across the Bank's national network.

In the evening, employees came together for the Gala Night under the theme "Glamour and Mystery", with a masquerade-inspired setting that recognised team achievements and individual contributions.

The evening featured arrival drinks, opening remarks, team and individual awards, cultural performances, music and group dances delivered by teams from Port Moresby and the branches.

Speaking at the Gala Night, Cairns said the evening was an opportunity to recognise Westpac PNG's people and the important role they play in shaping the Bank's future.

"Westpac PNG's strength has always been built on its people. Our ability to grow, adapt and lead depends on how well we work together, how strongly we live our values and how consistently we support the customers, communities and businesses we serve across Papua New Guinea. The night was not only a celebration of achievement but also a reminder of the responsibility we share to continue building a stronger, more connected and more resilient organisation."

Cairns also thanked the organising committee for its hard work in planning, preparing and delivering both events, noting that its efforts helped create a memorable weekend for employees and their families.

The Sporting Day and Gala Night reinforce Westpac PNG's focus on strengthening its culture, supporting its people and creating opportunities for employees and families to connect beyond the workplace.

Operation Open Heart Foundation Inc. (OOHF) and Air Niugini Limited on 25 June announced the formal signing of a Corporate Responsibility Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), strengthening their long-standing partnership to support life-saving cardiac care for children across Papua New Guinea.

Air Niugini's support for Operation Open Heart spans more than 30 years, beginning with the airlifting of volunteer Australian medical teams and tonnes of critical medical equipment into the country to support surgical missions. Over time, the partnership has expanded. Today, Air Niugini plays a vital role in supporting provincial cardiac screening teams that travel across the country to assess patients — primarily children — at provincial hospitals and clinics. These assessments ensure children requiring urgent surgery are identified early and referred to Port Moresby General Hospital for life-saving treatment.

The airline also provides complimentary travel for children diagnosed with heart conditions and their guardians to and from Port Moresby for surgery.

As outlined in the MOU, Air Niugini has historically supported OOHF by providing airline tickets for doctors and clinicians travelling to provinces to conduct cardiac screening, as well as for children identified with heart disease who require referral to Port Moresby for surgery.

The signing formalises this commitment and ensures the continued delivery of one of the country's most important health programmes.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer Alan Milne reaffirmed the airline's commitment.

"Air Niugini is proud to stand with Operation Open Heart Foundation in ensuring that children with heart conditions, no matter where they live, have a fair chance at life. As the national airline, we have a responsibility to support initiatives that strengthen the wellbeing of our people," Milne said.

"This partnership reflects our commitment to connecting families with life-saving care, supporting medical teams travelling to remote provinces, and ensuring that no child is left behind because of distance or financial barriers," he added. "We are honoured to play our part in helping Papua New Guinean children access the cardiac treatment they urgently need. Air Niugini will continue to work closely with OOHF to ensure safe, timely and compassionate travel support for all beneficiaries under this programme."

Operation Open Heart Foundation Chair Kathy Johnston thanked Air Niugini for its longstanding commitment to the programme.

"Operation Open Heart Foundation expresses its deepest gratitude to Air Niugini for its unwavering support over the years. This partnership has enabled hundreds of children to be screened, diagnosed and transported for life-saving surgery," Johnston said.

"By formalising this collaboration, we are strengthening a national effort that brings hope to families who often face overwhelming challenges. Air Niugini's generosity ensures that children from remote provinces can travel safely to Port Moresby for surgery, while our clinicians can reach communities where early detection saves lives," she added.

"This MOU is more than an agreement — it is a shared commitment to giving every child with heart disease the chance to grow, thrive and live a full life," she said.

The partnership ensures that children with congenital and acquired heart disease — many from remote and rural communities — have access to timely diagnosis and surgical intervention. It also strengthens the capacity of PNG's cardiac clinicians through annual surgical missions and provincial outreach programmes.

Since the Operation Open Heart Programme was established in 1993, thousands of Papua New Guineans, most of them children, have been given a second chance at life through access to essential cardiac care.

Pacific Towing (PacTow) carried out two recent emergency towage operations involving vessels that suffered engine failure in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands waters.

The incidents involved MV Khawaii, a general cargo and passenger vessel in PNG waters, and MV Wealth, a Belize-flagged cargo vessel in Solomon Islands.

In the PNG incident, PacTow was requested to assist MV Khawaii after the vessel suffered main engine failure and could not be restarted. The request for assistance was made by the Kimbe Provincial Disaster Office (West New Britain Province) on 21 May and relayed to PacTow by the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA).

At the time assistance was requested, MV Khawaii was reported to be approximately 71 nautical miles east of Karkar Island in the Bismarck Sea, off the north coast of mainland PNG, drifting west at about 1.7 knots towards the Manus Islands.

PacTow mobilised ASD tug Waiowa (4,300 BHP, 57 tonnes BP) from Lae. The tug departed Lae Port at 0100 hours on 22 May and travelled 214 nautical miles to reach the distressed vessel.

Waiowa successfully connected the tow to MV Khawaii at 1240 hours on 23 May and towed the vessel to a safe anchorage in Madang on the morning of 24 May.

The operation involved coordination between the NMSA, the Kimbe Provincial Disaster Office, PNG Ports Corporation in Lae and Madang, and PacTow's Lae team, which mobilised the tug at short notice.

A separate emergency towage operation was conducted in Solomon Islands following the arrest of MV Wealth by Solomon Islands authorities.

MV Wealth, a Belize-flagged general cargo vessel approximately 98 metres long, had been intercepted in Renbel Province during a joint operation involving the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and Solomon Islands Customs and Immigration.

According to Solomon Islands authorities, the vessel was suspected of involvement in transnational organised criminal activities and had been the subject of a coordinated intelligence-led operation involving regional law enforcement partners.

Following its interception and arrest, MV Wealth was being escorted to Honiara when it suffered engine failure at sea. PacTow mobilised ASD tug Pacific Salvor (3,600 BHP, 50 tonnes BP), one of the company's two tugs stationed in Honiara, to carry out the emergency tow.

Pacific Salvor safely towed the vessel to Honiara, where Solomon Islands authorities continued their investigation.

While the circumstances of the two incidents differed, both required emergency towage following engine failure. In PNG, the response assisted a distressed general cargo and passenger vessel drifting at sea. In Solomon Islands, the response supported authorities after an arrested vessel became disabled while under police escort.

Both operations underline the importance of maintaining towage and emergency response capability across the region.

PacTow is Melanesia's only full member of the International Salvage Union (ISU) and is also a member of the International Spill Control Organization.

There were tears, quiet smiles and a profound sense of relief at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby 3 June, as baby Sawong Kevin Mitian — one of Papua New Guinea's conjoined twins born last October — finally returned home after spending six months in Australia receiving specialist medical care following separation surgery.

Cradled in his mother's arms as he arrived at the airport, Sawong's return marked the culmination of months of medical treatment and the efforts of healthcare workers, aviation personnel, government officials and supporters in Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Born on October 9, 2025, at Braun Memorial Hospital in Finschhafen, Morobe Province, through a caesarean section, Sawong and his twin brother, Tom, entered the world joined together — a rare and complex condition that placed them in immediate danger.

Within 48 hours, on October 11, Manolos Aviation helicopter pilot Captain Jurgen Ruh launched a life-saving mission, flying into Finschhafen to evacuate the newborn twins to Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae. The critical response was carried out through his humanitarian work with the Mountain Area Medical Airlift Foundation.

Four days later, Captain Ruh undertook another crucial mission, flying the twins on a 90-minute journey to Port Moresby General Hospital, where specialists assessed their condition. For weeks, uncertainty loomed as doctors explored treatment options before concluding that little more could be done locally.

Captain Ruh said he was unwilling to accept that there were no further options available for the twins and began contacting hospitals overseas in search of specialist treatment.

In the weeks that followed, he reached out to hospitals in Germany, India and Australia in an effort to secure medical assistance.

According to Captain Ruh, those efforts eventually led to discussions with the Australian Government and specialist medical teams, who agreed to assess the twins and explore treatment options.

Medical professionals subsequently travelled to Port Moresby, paving the way for the twins' transfer to The Children's Hospital at Westmead in Sydney for separation surgery.

The operation marked both a triumph and a tragedy. While it saved Sawong's life, his brother Tom sadly passed away shortly afterwards. Sawong and his parents then remained in Australia for six months, where he underwent further treatment, surgery and recovery under the care of specialist doctors and nurses before being cleared to return home.

The journey, however, was far from smooth.

"The journey to bring the twins to Australia wasn't easy ... there were so many man-made hiccups along the way. I was called many names, told I was immature, that I was giving false hope to the parents," Captain Ruh said, his voice breaking with emotion as he stood at the airport.

"Having one of the twins returning alive is proof that none of this was done in vain. When I took the twins from Angau Hospital to our helicopter to medivac them to Port Moresby, baby Sawong's eyes were fixed on mine without blinking ... it was as if he was saying, 'I just want to live," he added.

The family's return also drew attention to the individuals and organisations that supported them throughout their medical journey.

Among them was Mrs Janet Sios and her team from Paradise Private Hospital, who cared for the twins for three weeks at their medical facility in Port Moresby before their transfer overseas and again upon Sawong's return.

According to Mrs Sios, the hospital provided medical care, accommodation and support services free of charge during that period.

She said the hospital committed significant resources, staff time and expertise to ensure the twins were stabilised and cared for during a critical phase of their journey, easing a substantial financial and emotional burden on the family.

"It's the heart that we have ... having a good heart means going beyond to help. We would rather know we tried than do nothing at all," Mrs Sios said, wiping away tears.

Even during the journey home, the family continued to encounter acts of generosity.

At Brisbane Airport, baby Sawong and his parents crossed paths with veteran Lae businessman and senior statesman Sir Bob Sinclaire, who was travelling on the same Air Niugini flight to Port Moresby.

After learning of the family's experience, Sir Bob committed to personally fund baby Sawong's education from primary school through to university.

Air Niugini also provided assistance for the family's return to Papua New Guinea.

The national airline transported Sawong and his parents from Brisbane to Port Moresby at no cost and upgraded them to business class as part of its community service commitment. Ground staff in Sydney, Brisbane and Port Moresby also assisted the family throughout their journey. The airline additionally covered the family's onward travel from Port Moresby to Lae.

Air Niugini Chief Executive Officer Alan Milne acknowledged the collective effort behind the story.

"Where Air Niugini is able to assist, we are more than happy to do so as part of our community service effort. Over the years, we've supported countless medical cases and will continue to do so. But the real heroes in this story are Captain Ruh, Mrs Sios, the medical teams here in Papua New Guinea and in Sydney, as well as the Australian Government and its partners for the medivac and care provided to baby Sawong," he said.

Both parents, Kevin and Fetima, said they were overwhelmed by the support shown throughout their journey.

Speaking through tears, Fetima said: "Displa support em bikpla tumas, mipla painim hard lo toktok."

She later added in English: "The support we received from everyone is overwhelming. We simply don't have the words to express our gratitude."

For Captain Ruh, who has carried out countless medical evacuation missions across some of Papua New Guinea's most remote and challenging terrain through his work with Manolos Aviation, the mission became far more than another humanitarian assignment. It became a deeply personal journey.

Sawong and his family remained in Port Moresby for several more days before travelling to Lae and eventually returning to Gingala village in Finschhafen — where their remarkable journey began.

Captain Ruh flew the family on the final leg of their journey home.

Reflecting on the experience, Captain Ruh said Sawong's survival demonstrated what could be achieved when medical professionals, businesses, governments and ordinary individuals worked together to support a family in need.