Hundreds of Ark Pacific modular buildings have been assembled across PNG resource sector developments since the company penetrated the local camp accommodation market in 2010.  Over the last decade Ark has substantially increased its international market share in the oil and gas sector – its growth primarily driven by quality and unrivalled production output.  By 2030, it is anticipated that Ark buildings will dominate the camp landscape of the world’s largest natural gas field.

In addition to PNG, Ark camps can be found in Argentina and Russia, as well as in Qatar where it has captured 70 percent of the LNG camp accommodation market. Its growth in Qatar is anticipated to escalate given the government’s announcement in March that it will expand output from North Field West (i.e., part of the world’s biggest gas field) before 2030.

Ark’s first significant project in Qatar was the 2,500-person LGV camp expansion project in 2020.  It is currently in the process of manufacturing a 2,000-person senior staff camp for world-leading engineering company, Technip Energies. With another two-years’ worth of buildings in the production pipeline, Ark has truly cemented itself in the accommodation supply chains of Qatar’s oil and gas mega-contractors.

Cass Ruka, GM Ark Pacific, says that the reason Ark became the camp building market leader so quickly in Qatar was its flat pack building system, specifically its “high quality, together with its rapid manufacturing, delivery, and installation, as well as its safety rating, particularly with regard to fire.”

Ruka confirms that “for a 5,000-person camp it takes us a maximum of three months, upon issuance of a purchase order, to have all components delivered to site.  We also manufacture and deliver in stages which means that the first lot of building componentry is on site in less than one month.”  The speed at which Ark can manufacture and deliver its building systems varies little, irrespective of whether the camp is being built in Qatar, PNG, Sudan, or Argentina.

Ark’s unrivalled production output has been facilitated by factory expansion and an ongoing investment in automation over nearly 20 years. Ruka reports that the company’s automated system of robotic welding for instance, not only ensures the highest quality of welds, but also a 24/7 round-the-clock and 365 day-per-year fabrication capability.

Ark’s modular systems enable a multitude of building configurations, across single or multiple storeys, and on diverse topographies, in even the most remote locations and climate extremes.  In addition to accommodation blocks housing literally thousands of workers, some of the other types of buildings Ark has provided its resource clients with, include recreation centres, medical facilities, office complexes, kitchen and dining facilities, commissary buildings, maintenance workshops, and laboratories.

The National Energy Authority (NEA) conducted a one day public/stakeholders consultation workshop for the second time at the Holiday Inn ballroom on the 15th of March on the Decentralised Electricity Supply (DES) Policy.

This policy will pave the way for the provincial and district administration to develop and participate in the generation, distribution, and retail aspects of PNG's electricity supply industry.

The DES Policy is an important intervention policy initiated by the Economic Regulation Division of the NEA to address the unstable supply of electricity to towns outside the three main grids in PNG, technically referred to as C-centres.

The policy discussions held during the workshop included the Provincial Administrators, District Administrators, financiers/developers, policy experts, engineers, and other relevant experts.

NEA Managing Director Mr. Ronald Meketa opened the workshop and welcomed all the stakeholders, as experts in the field of electricity and policy makers engaged in meaningful discussions in creating affordable and reliable electricity to the underlying challenges faced in Papua New Guinea.

He thanked all stakeholders who have worked alongside NEA in providing technical advice on formulating its policy, such as USAID Papua New Guinea Electricity Partnership (PEP), PNG Power Limited, Solar Energy Association of Papua New Guinea, Asian Development Bank, and others.

"PNG is yet to develop the electricity industry, and we are working towards it as a regulator. Some of the key specific policies such as hydro are yet to be drafted, including 21 others. Under the Connect PNG initiative undertaken by the government through road projects, there is also a need for supply of electricity connecting the rural and remote communities," said Mr. Meketa.

Giving a detailed presentation on the DES Policy was Ms. Bayking Juliette of USAID PEP, with her team giving an overview of the policy.

The DES Policy would allow third parties to participate in their municipal jurisdiction, provide policy guidelines to accommodate the growing demand from stable supply of electricity in provinces and districts, and ultimately ensure accessible, reliable and affordable electricity for these C-centres to meet their respective local demand.

"The energy gap is one of the biggest hurdles faced by the GoPNG, businesses, and civic society, and therefore as the responsible government agency, the NEA is seriously looking at such policy intervention to unbundle the monopolistic arrangement incompatible for PNG electricity industry today," the agency said.

The workshop ended with a brainstorming session with the respective provincial administration and district administration officials on the DES Policy.

On Monday February 5, 2024, the Remington Group announced the names of the candidates who have been successful in their applications to join their 2024 Technical Apprenticeship and Graduate Development Programs.

The applicants were selected after a long and comprehensive screening process, with well over 200 expressions of interest being received for the Graduate Development and the Apprenticeship Programs. The Remington Group programs have attracted some of the best candidates that Papua New Guinea has to offer in their chosen fields of study.  

The three selected candidates for the Graduate Development Program are Megan Bega, Chris Kuras and John Anthony. These three graduates will be attached to our Group Shared Services team on a rotational basis, working closely with our several business units, allowing them to gain a deep understanding of our business.

As for our unique, market leading Technical Apprenticeship Program, we identified four successful candidates and they are Esron Thomal, Leslie Pombo, Tonar Olk and Jack Kalogo. These gentlemen will join our Remington Technology and FX Business Centre Service Teams as Apprentice Service Technicians.

“As we unveil the exceptional talents joining our 2024 Development Programs, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Megan, Chris, John, Esron, Leslie, Tonar, and Jack. Their dedication and ‘can-do’ attitude align perfectly with Remington’s culture and work ethic. Their success marks the beginning of a transformative journey for them, and I am confident they will contribute significantly to our shared success. Welcome aboard, future leaders!”  Remington Group CEO Peter Goodwin.

The programs are developed to provide an opportunity for recent graduates from universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to receive hands-on training and learning experience by providing them with exposure to both corporate and technical spaces. Then our trainees are matched with a mentor who is an industry expert.

Group HR Manager for Remington, Christopher Membung said, “Both programs provide a pathway into building a meaningful career for the successful applicants, as long as they commit to hard work and persistence.”

We congratulate the seven successful candidates as they embark on their professional journey to build the foundation of their career pathway with Remington Group.

A delegation comprising seventeen members of the Australia Pacific Business Council, the Australia Fiji Business Council and the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Councils’ Senior Executive and other executive committee members embarked on a significant visit to Canberra on 26 and 27 February 2024. The purpose of the visit was to engage in discussions with key stakeholders within the Australian government, aimed at supporting Australian businesses in the Pacific region.

Representing various Business Councils, participants included distinguished figures such as Simon Gorman, President of the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council, David Gibson, Vice-President of the Australia Fiji Business Council, Vaughan Mills, President of the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council, and Nihal Shah, the Vice-President, among others. The delegation was accompanied by Frank Yourn, the Councils’ Executive Director.

The focal point of the visit was a meeting with Liz Peak, Head of the Office of the Pacific, who orchestrated a productive roundtable discussion with Council representatives. Additionally, supplementary meetings were held with prominent officials such as Mr. Jamie Isbister and Mr. Andrew Cumpston, facilitating candid exchanges on pertinent issues faced by Australian businesses in the Pacific.

Reflecting on the meetings, Andrew Morris, Treasurer of the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council, highlighted the importance of engaging with ministers from both Australian and Pacific governments. He said the opportunity to address challenges encountered in remote areas, including visa applications and foreign exchange concerns was useful. Morris underscored the positive outcomes achieved by Australian contractors in comparison to their Chinese counterparts, citing timely and budget-friendly project completions.

Trade & Investment Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner Leata Alaimoana said the interactions were valuable, bringing together the Business Councils, the Federal Government, DFAT and the Pacific Diplomatic Corps, all helping drive projects in the Pacific.  “The intent of public and private sector to work together to drive economic and social impact in the Pacific is encouraging to see,” she added.

The Councils took the opportunity to outline their upcoming events for 2024, including business forums and seminars aimed at fostering collaboration and economic growth across the region. “We had open discussions around upcoming projects with the hope we made some kind of contribution to getting them off the ground,” Morris said.

Meetings with The Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for the Pacific and International Development, and with the Co-convenors of the Australian Parliament Friends of the Pacific, provided additional avenues for constructive dialogue.

“Such interactions are important opportunities for us to get across to the officials the main factors that affect Australian business in the Pacific – so that they can take them up bilaterally with their counterparts in those countries,” Shah said.

Regular engagement with the Office of the Pacific and with key Ministers and members of the Commonwealth Parliament provide important opportunities for two-way exchanges on issues which are of considerable importance to Australian business interests and to the Australian national interest, Yourn said.

The visit underscored the commitment of Australian business councils to deepen engagement with government entities and diplomatic representatives, with a focus on advancing the interests of Australian businesses and their counterparts in the Pacific region.

“It was great to see the breadth of engagement and the importance accorded to the Business Councils by senior government officials,” Shah concluded.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to fuelling the growth of the oil palm industry in Papua New Guinea. The sector, which stands as the country’s leading agricultural export, generated over K2.8 billion in exports in 2022, marking a pivotal contribution to the national economy.

Prime Minister Marape highlighted the government’s support through the allocation of over K3.5 million to the National Oil Palm Intervention Programme (NOPIP), a strategic initiative overseen by the Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC), since last year. “This funding is directed towards bolstering the production capabilities of the industry by addressing one of its critical challenges – the ageing of palm trees, which has been a significant factor in declining production rates,” he said.

“Under the stewardship of Oil Palm Minister Hon. Francis Maneke, the programme has seen substantial progress. Minister Maneke has been proactive, traversing the nation to ensure the effective distribution of funds to millers. This financial support facilitates the supply of quality seedlings to smallholder growers, aiming to rejuvenate their fields with new, high-yielding palm trees.”

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude towards Minister Maneke, the major milling companies, and OPIC for their unwavering support of this vital initiative.

Last year’s intervention was K576,000 to New Britain Palm Oil Ltd (NBPOL) to distribute 48, 000 seedlings (K18 per seedling) to cover 400-hectares at Hoskins; and K288,000 to Hargy Oil Palm for 24,000 seedlings to replant 200ha at Bialla.

This year, more allocations have been made, including a notable K540,000 to NBPOL for the distribution of 35,000 seedlings, aimed at revitalising 250ha in Hoskins; K216,000 to Hargy Oil Palms for 14,000 seedlings to rejuvenate 100ha in Bialla; and another round of K540,000 to NBPOL for the same purpose in Oro.

Further commitments were announced, with plans to allocate K216,000 to NBPOL for 100ha in Milne Bay, and K324,000 for 21,000 seedlings to cover 150ha in New Ireland. These efforts underscore the government’s concern over the ageing palm trees and its commitment to reviving the industry amid economic challenges and rising living costs.

Prime Minister Marape emphasised the importance of providing high-quality seedlings to support local growers, ensuring the sustainability of the oil palm crop across the nation. “The initiative not only aims to boost production but also to provide substantial support to smallholder growers throughout Papua New Guinea, marking a commendable step towards enhancing the livelihoods of those dependent on agriculture,” he said.

“This initiative to support replanting is commendable and will greatly benefit smallholders.

“This signals a bright future for the oil palm industry and its significant contribution to the nation’s economic resilience.”

Exciting times are ahead for the coffee industry in Central Province with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) and the Central Provincial Government on the 6th of March, 2024 .

Under the agreement, a new coffee mill will be built in the Central Province within the next four years, which will allow for the processing of parchment coffee to green been (hulling) to take place in Central before the beans are exported to places like Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where robusta and arabica coffee from Central both have an existing market.

Acting Provincial Administrator Edward Kila welcomed the team from CIC and spoke on the long overdue signing of the agreement.

“The good Madam Governor (Rufina Peter) has challenged us administratively to lead this MoA signing, as she is I am little disappointed that this MoA has been deferred on two occasions, clearly indicating the drive by Madam Governor who wants to commence the implementation of the MoA, given the amount of work that needs to be done to develop the coffee industry in Central Province and its potential impact on the household incomes of coffee farmers and the local economy," said Mr. Kila.

The importance of CIC working with the Central Province was expressed by Steven Tumae, its Chief Operating Officer. 

“We used to have a coffee mill here at 14-Mile past the old Hugo Cannery, since then it has become nonexistent," he said.

"The reason why CIC is very interested to work with the Central Provincial Government is because the PNG Government under the MTDP (Medium Term Development Plans) 3 & 4 development plans has given CIC targets to achieve and in the Highlands, people are saturated as there is no big land to plant coffee."

"But in non-traditional coffee-growing areas like Enga, Southern Highlands Province, Hela, Central, AROB, Gulf, Northern, and Milne Bay, these are the areas CIC will fulfill the production and export targets from, so because of the Central Provincial Government's interest in coffee, we are pushing Central to be prioritized before the other provinces," stated Mr. Tumae.

Mr. Tumae also revealed that as part of CIC’s drive to push coffee for the Central Province, an extension officer will be added to the existing extension officer on ground for Central, and another such officer will be added for Gulf.

CIC’s Corporate Service Manager, Smith Baba, spoke of the CIC’s strategic plans and what they hope to achieve.

“In our CIC strategic business plan, by the year 2030 we should export 3 million green bean bags and fetch 1 billion kina in foreign currencies. To achieve this, CIC cannot stand alone, we need strategic partners, we need strategic partnerships and we are happy that with this MoA Central is coming on board," he said. 

"Now to achieve this 3 million green bean bags for PNG, from calculations we need about 400 million coffee trees to achieve that, and currently we have about 17 coffee-producing provinces, Central province is within that 17, so we if divide 400 million coffee trees to the 17 coffee producing provinces, each province should have about 23,529,412 coffee trees so that we can achieve that 3 million green bean bags."

"But then, CIC needs to know how many coffee trees are existing, and the balance of coffee trees required,” Mr. Baba said.

According to Baba, CIC records show that Central province has 4 million coffee trees, with the potential production of 32,000 green bean bags annually and to export 100 containers shipped annually.

“So the current potential economic value for coffee in the Central province is K19.2 million annually injected into the local economy just from coffee alone. The province now, with our extension work going on the ground, we can reach up to K30 million if we aggressively work on the structure of the MoA going forward, so we are talking serious business here,” Baba stated.

Under the agreement, a local certification and inspection export office built in the Central Province will allow for export processors licenses. This will break the cycle of coffee being sent to Lae for hulling.

Discussions are also taking place for coffee to go into the Japanese market, which signals exciting times for Central Province and the Southern region.

The Governor for Central Province and the Minister for Coffee will sign as witnesses to the MoA at a later date, when CIC organizes 5 to 7 coffee-growing provinces coming together to sign MOAs with CIC Management and the Coffee Minister.

Bishops is proud to announce the launch of their highly-anticipated updated Industrial & Safety Catalogue. With a commitment to delivering excellence and meeting the diverse needs of customers across the region, Bishop's new catalogue showcases a wide array of exclusive products and services.

Bishops is PNG’S leading industrial tool and safety equipment supplier, providing high-quality goods and services across six branches in Papua New Guinea, their wide range of exclusive products and personalised solutions have been tailored to help grow PNG’s industrial output for more than 50 years.

The much-anticipated catalogue features over 15,000 hand-selected products, collated into 15 categories for easy reference and sourced from over 100 leading brands, making it the largest catalogue Bishops has ever produced and a valuable go-to purchasing tool for industry. Containing detailed product descriptions and specifications, coloured images and Bishops part numbers, researching and ordering products has never been easier!

In addition to their diverse product offerings, Bishops remains dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and fostering strong relationships within the local community. With a team of knowledgeable professionals and a customer-centric approach, Bishops aims to exceed expectations and remain the go-to destination for premium goods and services in Papua New Guinea.

“This Catalogue was made specifically for Papua New Guinea”, said Len Pianta, General Manager of Bishops, “and is a must have for any purchasing staff, workshop managers or project coordinators.”

The launch of Bishop's updated catalogue represents an exciting milestone in the company's journey to remain the largest and most trusted supplier of all the “little things” through quality products and memorable experiences. Customers can explore the full range of offerings in the catalogue online or visit their nearest Bishops branch to discover exclusive deals and promotions.

For more information about Bishops and to view the latest catalogue, please visit https://www.bishopbros.com.pg/ or find your local branch.

New Porgera Limited (NPL) would like to clarify certain matters related to the reopening of the Porgera gold mine that have been the subject of speculation and considerable misinformation both in the national media and on social media platforms over the past week.  

The benefit sharing terms agreed between the State, Barrick Niugini Limited (BNL), Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited (KMHL) and Mineral Resources Enga (MRE) to restart the mine ensure a transparent and fair distribution of the overall economic benefits that will be generated by Porgera over its 20-year mine life.  

Over the life of mine, PNG shareholders, comprising Porgera landowners, Enga province and the State (including KMHL which will hold the equity in new Porgera on behalf of the State), will receive 53% of Porgera’s overall economic benefits.  BNL will receive the remaining 47%.  

At a gold price of US$1,800 per ounce, PNG shareholders would expect to receive nearly US$7.3 billion (Kina ~25.2 billion) over a potential 20 year life and US$2.8 billion (Kina ~9.7 billion) in the first ten years.  The current gold price is significantly higher at approximately US$2,170 per ounce.

Importantly, BNL, the operator of New Porgera Limited, has committed to financing the capital required to restart the mine.  Furthermore, once the mine has restarted, any additional loans made by BNL or its affiliates to New Porgera Limited will be on an interest-free basis.  This means the State of Papua New Guinea will never face a situation where it would be necessary to take out interest-bearing commercial loans to fund its portion of the capital needed for investment in the mine.  

During the period between when the mine ceased operations in April 2020 until the reopening on 22 December 2023, BNL has alone funded 100% of the care and maintenance and preparatory restart costs totaling approximately US$677.6 million (Kina ~2.58 billion).  The State, KMHL and BNL agreed that initially KHML’s dividends from New Porgera Limited (as well as the dividends paid to the entity jointly owned by Barrick and Zijin that holds shares in NPL) will be used to reimburse BNL for the care and maintenance and restart costs (other than some agreed nonrecoverable costs).  However, the other PNG shareholders are not affected by this arrangement and will receive their dividends as they are declared following the start of operations.  

In addition, New Porgera Limited will be a significant taxpayer, being subject to a 32% corporate tax rate, in return for fiscal stability under the Resource Contracts Fiscal Stabilization Act, and an increase in the royalty from 2% to 3%. 

The proportion of equity and economic benefits that belong to the landowners is also a first in PNG’s agreements with international investors.  

Separately there have been reports in the media that New Porgera Limited has selectively engaged individual clan members in discussions on compensation agreements and bypassed the Porgera Landowners Association.  This is not true.  NPL has not selected the landholder representatives with whom it is dealing.  Rather, NPL is following the Government’s agency system that has been used for compensation payments since 1989, which has long been accepted by landholders.   

NPL is committed to progressing negotiation of the long-term compensation agreements with tenement landholder agents as soon as possible, and an NPL team is currently in Porgera and Tari on a second visit in as many months for this purpose.  NPL agreed to doing so under the interim Consent Compensation Agreements arrangements that were endorsed last year by the overwhelming majority of landholder agents and approved and registered by the Mineral Resources Authority to allow the mine to reopen.   

The members of the Porgera Landowners Association (PLOA) have been invited to participate in the discussions concerning the compensation agreement for SML13 and we look forward to their involvement in those discussions, as well as their participation in the State-led process to agree the Community Development Agreements (CDA).  NPL would like to see the benefits being distributed directly to the household level, and not through middlemen, to ensure the benefits actually reach the people for whom they are intended.

These facts have been shared to clarify some of the confusion created by inaccurate accounts of the terms of Porgera’s reopening and demonstrate beyond doubt that the benefits derived from this world-class mine will be shared fairly between PNG and its partner, BNL, and that NPL is engaging with landowners in a completely transparent and appropriate manner in accordance with PNG law.

Finally, the law and order situation in the Porgera Valley continues to be a major concern.  It is critically important that a safe and stable security environment is quickly restored and maintained for the benefit of the Porgera community and to support the continuation of the restart operations.  

The Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) and the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) today (Tuesday 12th March) officially entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement solidifies their collaboration to implement a Financial Literacy Program aimed at empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and women-led SMEs in selected regions of the Western Province.

Under the MoU, CEFI will conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions in designated areas, equipping 25 trainers with the necessary skills and knowledge in personal money management concepts. These trained individuals will then be responsible for imparting direct retail training to 1,000 SMEs and women-led SMEs within the Western Province.

The signing ceremony, held in Port Moresby, saw Mr. Andrew Mari, Acting Chief Executive Officer and Executive Manager Program Services of OTDF, and Mr. Saliya Ranasinghe, Executive Director of CEFI, formalize the partnership.

The primary objective of this collaboration is to provide comprehensive financial literacy training and facilitate financial inclusivity for SMEs and women-led SMEs in the Western Province, particularly in Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) regions.

Mr. Andrew Mari expressed his gratitude for the partnership, stating, "This marks the beginning of a crucial initiative for us at OTDF. This will be the first MoU that we (OTDF) will be signing with CEFI and we are privileged that CEFI will partner with OTDF to roll out the financial literacy training targeting respective women associations,” said Mr. Mari.

He further emphasized the significance of the MoU in empowering women associations financially and enabling them to meet the necessary requirements for advancing their SME businesses in Western Province.

In response, Mr. Saliya Ranasinghe affirmed CEFI's commitment to the partnership, stating, "Financial literacy is pivotal to the development process in the Western Province. We are eager to work with OTDF in rolling out the Financial Literacy program and empowering SMEs."

Mr. Ranasinghe encouraged women association leaders to utilize the training effectively, highlighting their role as community role models. He also outlined CEFI's plans to expand financial services in the Western Province, collaborating with local financial institutions to bring services closer to the people.

“We are looking forward to this partnership as financial literacy is going to be the corner stone in this whole development process that we would like to roll out in Western province,” he said.

He highlighted that Papua New Guinean has 16,500 access points that includes banks, sub-banks, agencies, eftpos machines and ATMS.

He explained that CEFI would like to expand this services in Western province by working with financial institutions in the province to bring the financial services closer to the people.

“Another important step that we would like to proceed in this particular agreement as we maintain a very good repo with the financial sectors in the country and we will be working with the banks to open up agencies in those respective areas and to bring the financial services to the door steps of this SME clients,” he said.

He concluded by affirming CEFI's commitment to monitoring the progress of the program, ensuring its impact on the lives of the people in the Western Province, with the intention of replicating the model in other provinces.

This partnership between OTDF and CEFI represents a significant step towards enhancing financial literacy and empowering SMEs in the Western Province, fostering sustainable economic growth and development.

Gearhart United and Redback™ Drilling tools are combining to form Redback™ Drilling Tools & Manufacturing. 

Gearhart United is the premier designer and manufacturer of oilfield equipment and custom manufacturing operating two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Wingfield, South Australia, and Moomba, South Australia. Redback™ Drilling Tools is a leader in Roller Reamer technology and delivers drilling optimization solutions worldwide. The unprecedented reliability and quality of the Redback™ Roller Reamer revolutionized the industry and has been the go-to bottom-hole assembly tool for many drilling operations around the world since the late 1980s.

As part of a new strategic direction under the SGS Group umbrella, Gearhart United and Redback™ Drilling tools will be rebranded to unify into one company, Redback™ Drilling Tools & Manufacturing. 

Unifying two companies under one brand

To unify the brands, the two companies are combining into one, Redback™ Drilling Tools & Manufacturing. The company has over 40 years of experience with a reputation for superior quality combined with unparalleled reliability, proving how valuable innovation and trustworthiness are within the drilling market.

The company has won significant market share in many of the key drilling operations worldwide and earned the preferred supplier status with many of the world’s leading oil companies and major drilling service companies. Its global presence provides products and services across multiple countries, service centres and agents.

Passionate about innovation

By developing specialized reaming and torque-reducing tools, Redback™ Drilling Tools & Manufacturing aims to push the envelope on drilling performance. Its torque reduction capabilities and resultant vibration reduction capabilities ensures products worthy of their position in BHAs, where they enhance the performance of, and add life to other critical BHA components. 

Redback™ Drilling Tools & Manufacturing commits to excellence with a focus on delivering cutting-edge solutions as shown through their strong presence in PNG. Currently, 60% of ongoing projects with major drilling servicing companies and exploration firms within the country work with the company. Trehis involves Redback™ supporting enhanced drilling capabilities by providing state-of-the-art drilling tools, plus a comprehensive suite of services. Combining the two companies into one clear brand enables stronger resonance within the market and enhances customers' trust in these world leaders of oilfield engineering and design.

“Reaffirming our commitment to innovative practices, customer satisfaction, and leadership.”

Bronte Gales, General Manager for Industries, said: “This rebranding initiative is not a simple name or logo change, it's a symbol of our reaffirmed commitment to innovative practices, customer satisfaction, and leadership within our market. This rebranding mirrors our ambition to uphold our status as the industry pioneer in Roller Reamer technology, as we have since the 1980s.”

Clint Russell, Business Manager for Redback™ Drilling Tools & Manufacturing, said: “This rebranding will help focus interest on our services, tools and professional personnel that support both traditional and non-traditional energy markets while we continue to drive innovation.”

With the company continuously looking to improve and innovate, the new brand identity will help fortify the trust and confidence that customers all over the world have placed in Redback™ Drilling Tools & Manufacturing.  You can count on Redback™ Drilling Tools & Manufacturing to be a trusted partner, supporting your business ventures and driving sustainable growth.

Contact the Redback™ Drilling Tools & Manufacturing team today to learn more about their operations in PNG and how they can best assist you in achieving your goals.

The Goodman Fielder International (GFI) is calling on the Government to establish a commercial corn industry in Papua New Guinea (PNG). GFI Managing Director, Mr. Sun Xing Tao made this call during the visit of the Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru and NARI team to GFI’s new feed mill at 11mile in Lae on Tuesday.

“With our new USD200 million worth world-class feed mills we can produce chicken and pig feed as good as anywhere in the world depending on what the farmers want. Right now, we are safe importing wheat as our basic ingredient for feed, however, our big challenge is that we wait for over a month for our order to arrive and it is very expensive because of the declining value of the Kina. We are willing to substitute to a corn-based diet and buy all the corn that local farmers can produce so we can reduce imports of wheat for feed. The Government must support us by establishing a commercial corn industry so we can fully utilize our feed mill whose current under-utilized capacity is around 6, 000 metric tons per month (72, 000 metric tons per year) which is more than enough to replace all importation of poultry feed,” said Mr. Sun.

Minister Maru encouraged GFI to negotiate an MoU with NARI to go into large-scale commercial corn faming to supply feed to GFI feed mill.

“PNG imported over 49, 000 metric tons of feed last year. We have to stop importing by going into large-scale commercial corn farming so we can stop spending over K70 million annually to import feed alone- this money should be going into our people’s pockets. The market and the capacity are already here but we are not producing. Once we start using local feed, we will ban all the imports of feed so we can support the local industry,” said Minister Maru.

The Minister for International Trade and Investment, Hon. Richard Maru today announced that the National Executive Council (NEC) has approved for Trade Commission Service to officially start with the appointment of Mr. Rex Paki as the Papua New Guinea Honorary Trade Commissioner to Australia based in Brisbane and His Excellency Dr. Bienvenido Tejano as Papua New Guinea’s Honorary Trade Commissioner to the Republic of the Philippines based in Manila.

“They are people of high repute and have extensive network and we feel they will best represent our interest. We are now looking at making similar appointments for other countries with priority being Indonesia. One of the prerequisites of the appointments is that those who will be appointed must be residents of the countries that we are appointing them to represent us. These appointments are very significant because Papua New Guinea is now moving from having foreign relationships based on diplomatic relationships to now having relationships anchored on trade and investment. We are appointing people who have knowledge and skills to help advance our two-way trade and investment relationships with major countries of the world including securing markets for our LNG gas, mining products, and products from the agriculture, forestry and the fisheries sectors,” said Minister Maru.

Minister Maru further stated: “The primary responsibility of the appointed Trade Commissioners will be to look for export markets for Papua New Guinea goods and to promote trade and investment opportunities in Papua New Guinea especially to attract foreign direct investments and attract investors in our Special Economic Zones. They will also be instrumental in helping us to arrange trade and investment conferences around the world like the recent one that was staged in Hong Kong last year.”

“The appointed Trade Commissioners are private citizens with their own office and setup and they will represent Papua New Guinea in handling all trade and investment enquiries and they will report directly to the Minister for International Trade & Investment and the Secretary for Department of International Trade & Investment in the discharge of their duties. Papua New Guinea will save K5 million a year by appointing Honorary Trade Commissioners who are not paid by the Government of Papua New Guinea and not a staff of our Diplomatic Service, however, they will work very closely with the Papua New Guinea Heads of Missions and diplomatic staff in all our high commissions and embassies throughout the world,” Minister Maru added.

A former Trukai Smart Farmer Program participant has been recognised as a model rice farmer following his initiative and innovation to incorporate best farming practices in his village, making him the recipient of a Village Sustainability Kit (VSK).

The Village Sustainability Kit is a rice farming kit that is given to genuine rice farmers under Trukai Industries’ Small Holder Rice Development Program to encourage them to develop their rice farming ventures.

Noah Taugaloidi from Wamira Village, Milne Bay Province was the proud recipient of the VSK demonstrating Trukai Industries’ significant stride towards sustainable agriculture practices.

Trukai Industries, through its Small Holder Rice Development Program, not only provides the Village Sustainability Kit but also offers technical expertise and paddy market access. The VSK includes essential tools such as a solar rice mill kit, power tiller, manual seeders, knapsacks, sickles and rice seedlings.

To become a model farmer under Trukai’s Small Holder Development Program, candidates must manage a hectare or more of rice fields, displaying both expertise and a commitment to rice cultivation. In addition, farmers must not only excel in their own fields but also serve as influential figures in their communities, inspiring and guiding their community to adopt best practices.

The Village Sustainability Kits are equipped to cater to the unique needs of rice farmers transitioning from sustainable rice farming to commercial. The company has chosen model farmers like Taugaloidi and his community to act as caretakers of the equipment, with a focus on fostering this transition.

Trukai Industries’ Rice Development Manager, Aina Davis while presenting the kit emphasised on the transformative impact it will have on their farming practices. She urged the farmers to take ownership of the VSKs, emphasizing that the support provided by Trukai Industries would prove beneficial in the long run.

"Wamira, this is the time for you to become commercialized rice farmers and I urge you all to take ownership of this farming program and the Village Sustainability Kits, which will help you in the long run," said Davis.

Taugaloidi expressed his gratitude for Trukai Industries' support, acknowledging the company's recognition of their efforts as village rice farmers. He also highlighted the positive impact the village sustainability kit will have on his community and the skillsets imparted by Trukai through its Smart Farmer Program.

“It has been a long time coming, and I know that the Smart Farmer program is a game changer in the agriculture industry, it gives knowledge back to our local people. The Village Sustainability Kits and the knowledge I have gained will greatly impact my community.

CEO of Trukai Industries, Alan Preston, highlighted the importance of the Small Holder Rice Development Program.

“The aim of this program is to support food security by maximising local rice production. It also helps to equip small holder rice farmers as they transition into semi commercial farmers then into commercial rice farmers,” said Preston.

Wamira Village traditionally has an irrigated gardening technique where they have used this to grow taro. By utilising this established technique, the villages now have an advantage to grow rice and the donation of the VSK is an added bonus to assist them with their rice growing.

Paramount Chief of Wamira Village, Watson Taubobori said, “Traditionally our ancestors redirected the main river, which travels miles inland, bringing fresh water that flowed directly to nourish our taro gardens. This system is still being used today.”

“It was as if we were always meant to grow rice here at Wamira, and now with our Village Sustainability Kit plus the training provided through the Smart Farmer Program, our people can utilize rice farming, eliminating the long travel to go to town to buy just one bag of rice,” said Taubobori.

Trukai Industries has distributed VSKs to genuine rice farmers since 2011 under its various rice development programs and it aims to identify more genuine rice farmers through its Smart Farmer Program. This transformative training is crafted to enhance the capabilities of local rice farmers, guiding them as they transition from conventional dry land to modern irrigated rice farming methods.

Trukai's profound impact extends over 30 years of significant investment in rice research and technology. This long-standing commitment underscores the company's dedication to enhancing the standards of rice cultivation, fostering a resilient and prosperous agricultural landscape in Papua New Guinea.

Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited (KMHL), the National Minerals Company of Papua New Guinea has announced that it will take the leading role on the introduction of sustainable mining practices in PNG. KMHL has engaged KPMG-PNG to assist in developing its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Framework, which will include disclosure of key performance metrics of its subsidiaries and setting targets for improving this performance.

As part of this initiative, KMHL hosted an ESG education session on 19th February which was attended by representatives from 14 organizations across the Government and its agencies, resources industry peers, financial institutions and environmental agencies. This session was followed by stakeholder interviews to gain an objective understanding of the environmental, social and governance concerns relevant to KMHL. The information gathered will then be used in the development of an ESG Policy and production of annual sustainability disclosures. 

Sarimu Kanu, Managing Director of KMHL, expressed enthusiasm about KMHL’s role in promoting ESG within PNG. “Our objective is to establish a robust KMHL ESG Education and Sustainability Plan, potentially the first of its kind in PNG,” he stated.  

“As the National Minerals Company, Kumul Minerals Holdings Limited takes pride in its commitment to sustainability and appreciates the active participation of all stakeholders. We have a real opportunity to ensure that PNG minerals projects are developed with the highest standards of sustainability practices, and so to capture the most value of PNG minerals for the people of PNG while at the same time having the lowest possible impact on the environment and affected communities.” 

“Kumul Minerals’ vision is to be a world-class mineral resource company that delivers value to its shareholders, stakeholders, and the nation. KMHL’s mission is to develop and operate its mineral assets in a sustainable, responsible, and profitable manner.” 

The Hides Gas Development Company Ltd (HGDC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GenOffGrid to train and hire tradesmen, engineers, and technical staff in both Papua New Guinea and Australia with the goal of building remote solar power stations.

In a statement, the companies said the agreement will enable them to immediately establish in-country capacity building within PNG through joint training programs and technology exchange.

Driving the deal is the growing number of projects sponsored by foreign aid agencies for energy infrastructure, to support the Marape government's objective to increase PNG’s access to electricity from 15 per cent to 70 per cent by 2030.

John Davidson, managing director of GenOffGrid, said the company was incredibly pleased to partner with HGDC.

"We build remote solar power stations in Northern Australia and are very pleased to be partnering with HGDC to bring our expertise to PNG. This partnership will help us to fast track the building of in country capability and capacity to meet PNG's remote electrification program," said Davidson.

GenOffGrid are establishing a logistics base in Lae with administration offices in Port Moresby and recently built a solar project under a foreign aid program in remote PNG.

Libe Parindali, Chairman of HGDC, said the company was impressed with GenOffGrid's technology.

"We are very impressed with Gen OffGrid's technology, track record, and the desire to train PNG nationals to build in-country capacity for remote power generation using renewable energy sources,” Parindali said.

"We believe that together we will be able to help provide energy solutions to the PNG population and the long-term employment opportunities this creates. This integrates very well with our own development strategies," he added.

In a significant move to bolster its agricultural sector, the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government unveiled its K432 million 2024 budget, emphasising a strategic pivot towards agriculture with the objective of diminishing reliance on imported staples such as rice. This initiative was highlighted during the budget presentation to Prime Minister and Treasurer, Hon. James Marape, on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, by Eastern Highlands Governor, Hon. Simon Sia, alongside Unggai-Bena MP, Hon. Kinoka Feo, Provincial Administrator Allen Los, Deputy Administrator Michael Mogia, and key provincial administration officials.

Prime Minister Marape commended Governor Sia and his team for aligning the provincial budget’s focus with the national government’s agricultural priorities. He underscored agriculture’s pivotal role in achieving food sustainability, curbing capital outflow through importation, and enhancing foreign exchange through local production.

“The food production sector presents the most immediate opportunity for import replacement, particularly given the Eastern Highlands’ traditional agricultural strengths. I commend your leadership for elevating the national focus on economic growth through agriculture,” Prime Minister Marape stated.

The 2024 Eastern Highlands budget totals K432,083,300, with K49,355,400 generated internally. Despite a 10% reduction in the National Government’s contribution, Governor Sia remains optimistic about the province’s self-reliance and its strategy to navigate financial constraints.

Significant allocations within the budget include K160 million and K130.6 million for the establishment and operation of key economic projects such as coffee downstream processing, chicken hatchery and feed mills, along with rice, mushroom, and livestock initiatives. These projects, though costly to initiate, promise substantial returns, with gross income from coffee processing and poultry projects projected to reach K1.4 billion after one year.

The province has already seen success with the introduction of Juncao rice and mushroom projects, facilitated by the Chinese technical agency Juncao. These products are now available locally, with plans underway to expand production through additional land acquisitions.

Governor Sia expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Marape for recognising Eastern Highlands as an agricultural hub by assigning the Agriculture Ministry to Obura-Wonera MP, Hon. John Boito. He emphasised the province’s significant contribution to the country’s coffee exports and its potential for further growth.

Governor Sia also highlighted the Connect PNG programme’s role in improving infrastructure and facilitating agricultural development through the construction of nine coffee roads spanning 850km in the province, underscoring the critical need for accessible transportation for farmers and the efficient movement of produce.

The Eastern Highlands Provincial Government’s 2024 budget marks a strategic shift towards agricultural development, aiming to enhance self-sufficiency, reduce import dependency, and foster economic growth through strategic investments and projects in the sector.

Prime Minister and Treasurer Hon. James Marape has acknowledged the Gulf Provincial Government for trailblazing the National Government’s goal of providing electricity to at least 70 percent of the country’s population by 2030.

In a meeting held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, Gulf Governor Hon. Chris Haiveta presented the 2024 Gulf Provincial and Local Level Government Budget to Prime Minister Marape. Governor Haiveta highlighted the significant progress made by the province in providing solar lighting for the entire population.

Prime Minister Marape commended the initiative, stating, “I want to acknowledge you, Governor, and your team for providing solar power to our people in Gulf Province, which caters for about 300,000 people. Given the country’s estimated total population of 12 million people, that’s about 3 percent of our population covered. We need other provinces to be able to do that so that we reach our goal of providing electricity to 70 percent of our country by the year 2030.”

Governor Haiveta emphasised the province’s commitment to ensuring access to electricity for its residents, stating, “We want to ensure that our people have lighting in and around their homes at night and school children can study under lights at night, as well as other essential need areas for electricity in the province. We are doing this from a Provincial Government perspective and not relying on the National Government for support.”

The Gulf Provincial Government presented a budget of K406 million, with over K195 million in National Government Grants, including allocations for the Kikori Road Project, Internal Revenue, and the roll-over from 2023.

Significantly, the Budget document outlines the Provincial Government’s decision to invest in various business opportunities created by the development activities in the province’s resources sector. These investments encompass air services, shipping services, properties market, agriculture, fisheries, oil and gas, and shares market.

A portion of K130 million from the Provincial Budget is allocated to the Development Budget, prioritising projects in roads and transport infrastructure, education, and Local Level Government (LLG) infrastructure.

Additionally, investments are earmarked for coffee, cocoa, rubber, and coconut cash crops value chain development programme in collaboration with commodity boards of the four cash crops.

Commerce, tourism, women, youth, and Churches are among the other areas covered in the Internal Revenue recurrent and development budget.

The Gulf Provincial Government’s proactive approach towards enhancing access to electricity underscores its commitment to improving the quality of life for its citizens and aligns with the national agenda of achieving widespread electrification by 2030.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape held discussions with the new United States Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Ann Marie Yastishock, recently at his Sir Manasupe House office in Port Moresby.

Prime Minister Marape, in welcoming the ambassador, said PNG is a friendly country with a robust democracy.

Prime Minister Marape informed Ambassador Yastishock on the need for detailed discussions on implementing the recently signed PNG-US Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA).

Ambassador Yastishock highlighted that the US government is keen on progressing this and proposed a meeting with officials from both countries later this year in Port Moresby.

Prime Minister Marape also noted that the US has stepped up its interactions with the Pacific in recent years, such as the last two US-Pacific Island countries meeting in Washington.

He said whilst it is good, the outcomes must be seen by the Pacific Island countries.

“For our PNG-US relations, PNG has a huge youth population with school leavers seeking further studies and employment opportunities, and that needs to be addressed in the next five to seven years.

“That is why we are in the conversation on downstream processing. If we can get US investors into downstream processing in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry, this could help create employment opportunities for our citizens,” said Prime Minister Marape.

He also reiterated the need for scholarships for PNG students to study in the United States.

“Ambassador, under your time, if we could further expand on this scholarship for our PNG students, it would do a great deal in alleviating some of the unemployment and training needs of our young citizens coming out of our school system.

“The number of spaces in our higher institutions of learning and those graduating have limited employment opportunities, so, if the US can help facilitate scholarships for PNG students in the US, would be great,’’ he said.

Last year, the top performing students from PNG’s National Schools of Excellence were offered scholarships in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in US universities.

Further, Prime Minister Marape also discussed the issue of reciprocal visa on arrival arrangements for both PNG and US citizens.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has warmly welcomed the historic reopening of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Office in Port Moresby, marking its return after 20 years of absence. This significant event was highlighted during a press conference held by the Prime Minister alongside the IMF’s Deputy Managing Director, Bo Li.

The reopening of the IMF Resident Office in Port Moresby is a testament to the enduring partnership between Papua New Guinea and the International Monetary Fund, aimed at fostering economic stability and growth for the nation.

Prime Minister Marape expressed his gratitude and welcomed Mr. Li back to PNG, emphasising the pivotal role of the economy in sustaining the country. “I thank you and welcome you to PNG once again,” he stated, underscoring the importance of a strong, resilient economy that benefits from growth and stability.

Highlighting the value of multilateral partnerships, Prime Minister Marape said, “Papua New Guinea is privileged to have all the multilateral partners in the country, and with the return of IMF, the economy will be supported and stabilised.” He pointed out that the presence of IMF, alongside other critical partners like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, signifies a comprehensive support system for PNG’s economic development.

Prime Minister Marape reflected on his government’s proactive approach to invite the IMF to reestablish its office in Port Moresby, aiming to ensure a transparent and accountable assessment of the country’s economic policies and performance. “In case people think Jame Marape and Ian Ling-Stuckey’s benchmark of the economy is from a political spectrum, we told IMF to come and assist, assess, look, and advise us,” he said.

Over the past four years, the collaboration between the PNG government and the IMF has led to a concerted effort to restructure the economy, with signs of improvement beginning to emerge. Prime Minister Marape shared his optimism about the country’s progress, acknowledging that there is still a journey ahead.

Prime Minister Marape also took the opportunity to portray PNG as a country with a robust democracy, facing challenges but striving to become a stronger, free-market, capital economy that nurtures business growth.

Samantha moved on from KOI in 2014 and joined Oil Search as a Maintenance Data Entry Clerk in the planning team and that is where she discovered her passion for maintenance planning.

In January 2024, Samantha was promoted by Santos to the Maintenance Planner role, a role that has been newly created for the Global Support Centre in Port Moresby.

Cameron Robinson, who is the Maintenance Planning Lead for Santos’ Upstream Operations in Brisbane said: “Over the last nine years, Samantha has supported Maintenance and Operations with various tasks ranging from drafting of work permits for maintenance leading hands, efficient ordering of parts for critical maintenance works, entering of turbine engine run-hour weekly readings to SAP resource loading. We have found Samantha to be highly resourceful, proficient with numbers and her ability to analyse data and effectively plan preventative maintenance work orders for specific production fields ensures we comply with best practice.”

“Her new role is critical to our success in ensuring that operational equipment and plant uptime, cost and scheduled targets are met. We have every confidence in her ability and count ourselves lucky to have her on our team.”

Samantha reflected on her recent promotion and said: “This is definitely the highlight of my career and a milestone for me and my family apart from joining Oil Search back in 2014, and now Santos. I owe this accomplishment to my mother, my older brother and all those who supported me along the way, and I know my father will be proud.

“I believe my attention to detail and drive for perfection will add value to the business as maintenance planning must be done right, the first time in order to prevent unnecessary downtime for the execution team when they work on equipment in the various production fields. This in turn prevents any major loss to production. This is a dream come true as I’ve always wanted to become a planner. I really enjoy what I do, and I get to work amongst some of the greatest people who have become family.

“Santos has given me the tools and resources necessary to reach my full potential and what’s more is I am able to take good care of my mother and continue to give back to my brothers, including paying tuition fees for my nieces and nephews. An added bonus is that I can now confidently pursue other ambitions such as return to school. This time, I plan to take up a technical course that will add further value to my current role. With Santos, I know it’s possible.”

Samantha joins the first team of six national professionals including Edwin Michael, John Rekeken, Romba Kaun, Jason Katato and Nathan N’Druwin who will support Santos’ global operations through the Global Support Centre in PNG.

Santos Country Chair PNG, Leon Buskens said: “The initiative is consistent with both our commitment to grow local employment in PNG and the PNG Government’s National Content Policy. The new roles will support the broader Eastern Australia PNG asset portfolio and result in “in sourcing” of engineering and maintenance activity from Australia and overseas contractors to PNG resulting in more direct employment of nationals. These support services are currently being outsourced to India and will now begin to transition to Port Moresby from Cooper Basin, Moomba, and Curtis Island. Despite the challenges we have also in terms of reliable data and power in PNG, the establishment of the Global Support Centre and commissioning of this new team of expert planners are testament to the commitment of Santos to PNG and its people.”

The Global Support Centre aims to foster and showcase the potential of our nation’s workforce and provide meaningful pathways for technical skills and leadership development, building expertise in-country and exporting that expertise to the Santos world.

Ok Tedi Mining Limited officially launched the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) Extension Review Project 2024 - 2025 on 17th February and commenced engagement meetings on 19th February.

The CMCA Extension Review Project will be conducted from 2024 to 2025 with the aim to obtain consent from the 158 mine impacted villages to extend mine operations from 2026 to 2033.

The project will review the entire CMCA agreement between OTML and the eight CMCA regions and mine villages, with a particular emphasis on the total benefits packages.

OTML Manager Community Relations and Sustainability, Jeffery Tom, elaborated on the importance of the project with a focus on aligning community initiatives with the company’s new vision.

“OTML operates under a social license which is the CMCA that has been enacted by Parliament as part of the 11th Supplemental Agreement”.

“The CMCA extension is commonly known as a Mine Life Extension (MLE) agreement and the review is crucial to ensure the community is well informed before consenting to an extension of the agreement period for another eight years,” Mr Tom said.

He added that the consent given by the communities, gives OTML the social license to operate (SLTO) and help secure the interest of the communities and the country that depends on the mine.

“So it is in the best interest of the impacted communities and beneficiaries to seek continuity of the benefits that is derived from Ok Tedi; to have the mine secured so Ok Tedi will continue to operate. This is why the CMCA Extension Review Project is important,” he stressed.

The review process will include village meetings, regional meetings, and working group meetings.

Village meetings will be conducted in all 158 CMCA and Mine villages while the regional meetings will be conducted at regional centres and will involve nominated village representatives and other key stakeholders.

The working group meetings will be between the OTML management, other key stakeholders and regional delegates elected from the village meetings, which also include regional women and youth presidents.

All the village meetings are facilitated by Independent Facilitators, and the meeting process is observed by three (3) highly esteemed Papua New Guinean Independent Observers. Officers from OTML Community Relations & Sustainability Department and Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) will provide support to the Independent Facilitators and the Observers.

During the CMCA extension review period, relevant State Agencies and stakeholders who have an interest in OTML operations will participate at different stages of the meeting.

The CMCA agreement was established in 2001 with the signing of the first agreement, which was subsequently enacted by the PNG Parliament through the 9th Supplemental Agreement.

The Ok Tedi Mine is a 100% PNG owned company with the State of PNG through the Kumul Minerals Holding Limited owning 67%, while the remaining 33% is owned by three Western Province entities; the Fly River Provincial Government (MROT2) 12%, CMCA communities (MRCMCA) 12% and Mine Villages (MRSM) 9%.

Steamships is pleased to announce the appointment of Christine Kasou, who joins the Board of Directors, effective 1 March 2024, adding to a growing number of young Papua New Guinean representatives in leadership positions within the Company. She is the third Papua New Guinean director to be appointed. 

Ms Kasou holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Papua New Guinea and has over 17-years of experience in Papua New Guinea’s oil and gas industry. She worked extensively in contracting and procurement functions, legal and compliance, gas projects development and people and culture.

Ms. Kasou’s appointment underscores Steamships’ commitment to supporting local talent and empowering the next generation of leaders, in the region. The Company believes in the importance of fostering a diverse leadership team that reflects the communities it serves, challenge traditional gender norms creating a stronger advocacy base for women in the corporate sector.  

“At Steamships, we pride ourselves in being progressive and inclusive.” Said Managing Director Rupert Bray, “We are thrilled to be welcoming Christine into the fold. With her wealth of experience, and impressive strategic background, we are confident in her ability to join us in our journey in growth.”

Christine began her career as a commercial lawyer in private practice in 2001 with Gadens Lawyers (now Dentons) in Port Moresby. In 2006, Christine joined Oil Search (PNG) Limited, now a subsidiary of Santos Limited.

“I’m very honoured to have joined the Steamships Board of Directors”, says Ms. Kasou. “It’s a reputable business with a deep-seeded history in PNG. I believe in the power of diversity and collaboration to drive innovation and sustainability, and I’m excited to be part of a team that values these principles.”

Steamships looks forward to Ms. Kasou’s valuable contributions as the company continues to innovate and adapt to the evolving landscape of Papua New Guinea.

After years of dedicated effort and a commitment to empowering the nation's workforce, we are excited to announce the imminent launch of the Wan PNG platform, a significant milestone in our journey toward a brighter future. The official launch is scheduled for March the 13th at the APEC Haus Port Moresby, and it is our honor to welcome the Hon. Kessy Sawang, Minister for  Labour and Employment, to lead the proceedings.

The Wan PNG platform represents a groundbreaking initiative aimed at bridging the skills gap in our nation's workforce. Through this innovative platform, we aspire to connect job seekers with invaluable training resources, life skills content, career advice, and employment opportunities, all while promoting diversity, supporting landowners, and forging connections between educational institutions and job seekers. Our dedication to creating a skilled and empowered workforce has been a driving force behind the platform's development.

A significant testament to our vision and purpose, we are delighted to announce that, even before the official launch, Wan PNG has crossed a major milestone. We have surpassed 10,000 registered job seekers on the platform. This achievement reflects the resonance of our mission with the people of Papua New Guinea, as well as their eagerness to participate in the growth and prosperity of our nation.

The launch of the Wan PNG platform represents a momentous occasion and marks a positive step toward the future of Papua New Guinea. This platform is not just a solution; it's a movement that brings together job seekers, educational institutions, employers, and stakeholders to create a collaborative ecosystem for skill development and employment opportunities.

We invite the media, stakeholders, and the public to join us on March the 13th as we celebrate this significant milestone and embark on a journey toward a brighter future for Papua New Guinea. The launch event will showcase the immense potential of Wan PNG and reaffirm our commitment to empowering our people with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in today's job market.

About Wan PNG:

Wan PNG is an innovative platform dedicated to expanding training and employment opportunities for local Papua New Guineans. It aims to bridge the skills gap in the nation's workforce by connecting job seekers with valuable resources and fostering collaboration between educational institutions, employers, and stakeholders.