Lae Port to receive a huge vessel tomorrow, first time after 50 years

Lae Port in Morobe Province will receive a huge container ship with a length of 262 meters and a 33-meter width.

This is the first time after 50 years that a huge container ship has arrived in the country.

The Chief Marine Pilot, Captain Max Stossel of Niugini Pilots Limited, who's now moving the ship to the wharf in Lae, described it as the beginning of a new era for the shipping industry.

He told NBC News that this achievement is a milestone for PNG before the nation celebrates 50 years of the Golden Jubilee.

Captain Stossel said that in his entire career in the shipping industry in PNG, no such big ship has come into the country.

He said this is due to a lack of proper regulations and standards in the PNG Maritime Industry.

"Now when we have such big ship coming in, government through the National Maritime Safety Authority [NMSA] should look into it seriously and get the Pilotage Regulation and other standards in order.

"At the moment, we have no maritime standards. This is a key industry, and the government must critically look into this. NMSA must wake up and seriously look into this area," Captain Stossel said.

The Vice President of Australiasia Marine Pilots Association, Captain Adam Robert, who is now in the country, also told NBC News that the shipping industry has a standard, and PNG is no way near.

He said the shipping industry is the major driving force behind the global economy, and they are willing to assist only if asked.

"We are available to assist, but if we are not asked to, we cannot just come and assist. These things can be addressed collaboratively, "Captain Robert said.

Meanwhile, the executive general manager for Maritime Administration Paul Alloy said they are currently working on standards, maritime regulations, and compliance for Marine Pilotage.

"These changes are currently under review by NMSA. These regulations are part of the subordinate Maritime legislations under the merchant shipping act," Mr. Alloy said.

In the meantime, it's time now that with such a big ship coming into the regulated ports, the government through the NMSA should ensure the standard is in place.

It is also a time to reflect on how the Maritime Industry has evolved to where it is now after 50 years, and the government should focus on where the focus was past 50 years.