Port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. said unit ICTSI South Pacific International Container Terminal started operations at the Lae Tidal Basin in Lae, Papua New Guinea after securing the PNG government’s approval.
“We know the next few weeks will be a difficult transition, particularly given the quick adoption of N4 [Navis N4] to the working environment. Team SPICT is extremely excited and committed, however, to face the challenges of delivering such an upgrade to the way the terminal is managed. With the support of the local port users and our international shipping partners, we believe that the benefits of automating processes and information flow will accrue to each and every one of the ports users very quickly,” ICTSI head for Asia Pacific Christian Gonzalez said.
SPICT, as part of the concession agreement, will begin the transition by immediately rolling out the terminal’s new operating system, Navis N4. Port of Lae us the largest container handling facility in PNG.
“We anticipate further benefits from delivering the MHCs [mobile harbor cranes] to the site and look forward to seeing a continuous improvement in operations at SPICT from the deployment of the TOS [terminal operating systems] to achieving the first MHC move in the near term,” Gonzales said.
The system, a first of its kind in PNG and the global standard for container terminal planning and operations management, is expected to quickly streamline the flow of information at Lae’s international container terminal and significantly increase seaside and landside productivity levels.
ICTSI South Pacific’s investment in IT systems and infrastructure is expected to exceed 3 million kina or P47.7 million this year.
SPICT will roll out the system’s modules and orienting port users at Lae in the coming months while handling all international cargo at the LTB and the dedicated second berth in Lae old wharf.
It is expected that a full and stable suite of modules will be operational and ready in time for the arrival of SPICT’s MHCs in April. The MHCs will further boost productivity levels at Lae and deliver vessel handling capabilities previously unattained in PNG.
ICTSI signed a 25-year terminal operations agreement with state-owned PNG Ports Corp. Limited in
July 2017 for the Port of Lae.
ICTSI is set to expand the port’s facilities and improve its capabilities as part of the efforts to position Lae as a gateway to the South Pacific region.
The project is closely aligned with PNG’s projected economic and trade growth.