The official groundbreaking ceremony for the Kimbe Port Redevelopment Project took place today, marking a significant milestone in Papua New Guinea’s efforts to improve essential infrastructure and enhance regional trade. Minister for State Enterprises, Hon. William Duma MP has turned the first sod with the Minister for Oil Palm, the Hon. Francis Galia Maneke, Governor of West New Britain the Hon. Sasindran Muthuvel MP, and Australia’s High Commissioner H.E. Mr Ewen McDonald.
The project is being delivered through a concessional loan from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) in close partnership with the Government of Papua New Guinea through PNG Ports Corporation Ltd (PNG Ports).
The redeveloped Port is expected to see more than 600 thousand tonnes of cargo annually by 2050. This significantly enhances PNG’s export capacity – especially for palm oil, one of the country’s key agricultural exports. PNG Ports owns and operates 15 ports which provide critical links to the world markets and contribute 22 per cent of PNG’s total economic activity as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Construction of the marine works was awarded to Pacific Marine Group Ltd, while local-firm Global Constructions Ltd will lead the PGK79 million shore-based works. Across both the marine and land works, the project is expected to create up to 300 local direct and indirect jobs, providing meaningful opportunities for Papua New Guinean firms and workers.
The Kimbe Port project (PGK260 million) is the first of five major port redevelopment projects to be delivered under the AIFFP-financed Ports Infrastructure Investment Program, which aims to support resilient, high-quality infrastructure across PNG.
The Minister for State Owned Enterprises, the Hon William Duma said:
“I’m privileged to stand here in this magnificent province to witness the beginning of what we will regard as a definitive event for Kimbe, and our country. As we break ground, we must remind ourselves we’re not merely launching a construction project, we are laying the foundations for enhanced connectivity and prosperity for generations to come in our country.”
Australia’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, H.E. Ewen McDonald, said:
“The PNG Australia relationship is a relationship between family. Our modern day relationship is about supporting conditions for economic prosperity. We’re investing in high quality, sustainable infrastructure. Investments in roads, ports, power and telecommunications are all fundamental for creating an environment where businesses can thrive, and communities can prosper.
With more than 90 per cent of internationally traded goods in Papua New Guinea transported by sea, maritime infrastructure is incredibly important.”
First built in 1969, Kimbe Port is PNG’s third-largest port and handles around 75 per cent of the country’s annual palm oil exports, valued at approximately PGK1 billion per year.
Redevelopment initiatives for Oro Bay, Daru, Kavieng and Lae ports are in the pipeline, delivering on Australia’s support for PNG to build high quality, resilient and accessible infrastructure that drives economic growth, prosperity and enables Papua New Guineans to access greater opportunities.
From left to right: Minister for State Enterprises Hon. William Duma, Australia's High Commissioner H.E. Ewen McDonalsd, Governor of West New Britain Hon. Sasindran Muthuvel and Minister for Oil Palm Hon. Francis Galia turn the first sod.
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