Papua New Guinea’s most critical trade gateways—Lae Port in Morobe and Motukea Port outside Port Moresby—are undergoing transformative upgrades, promising to reshape the country’s economic landscape for decades to come.
Backed by significant investment from the Australian Government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the port modernisation projects aim to build a future-ready logistics network, capable of supporting faster, safer, and more efficient trade.
But these upgrades are not just about cranes and containers—they’re about creating jobs, boosting exports, and unlocking regional development.
The Economic Engine of Lae
As PNG’s busiest port, Lae handles over 60% of the nation’s international and domestic cargo. The ongoing improvements include:
- Wider berths to accommodate larger ships
- New container handling systems
- Expanded yard capacity and traffic management systems
- Digitisation of customs and cargo clearance
Once completed, Lae will not only cut waiting times for shipping vessels but also drastically reduce supply chain delays for exporters and importers.
“This is about connecting PNG more efficiently to the world,” said an ADB transport advisor. “And giving local industries—from agriculture to manufacturing—the infrastructure they need to grow.”
Motukea: A Strategic Southern Hub
Meanwhile, Motukea Port is receiving infrastructure boosts to position it as PNG’s southern trade anchor, complementing Lae’s operations and supporting the Gulf, Western, and Central Provinces.
Recent upgrades include:
- Modern bulk handling facilities
- Enhanced security and compliance monitoring
- Integration with new highway and freight corridors
The goal is to decentralize trade dependency from Lae and strengthen supply chains across the country.
Jobs, Skills, and Youth Opportunities
One of the most promising aspects of the port upgrades is job creation. During the construction and expansion phases alone, hundreds of local workers have been employed, many of them youth apprentices trained in logistics, welding, operations, and port management.
With newer technology and digital systems being introduced, the ports also offer long-term upskilling opportunities in fields like:
- Maritime engineering
- Freight analytics
- Green logistics and sustainability compliance
“We’re not just building ports. We’re building human capital,” said a spokesperson from the Australian High Commission.
A Gateway to Regional Prosperity
Both Lae and Motukea are also being positioned as key nodes in Pacific regional logistics, potentially linking PNG more seamlessly with Australia, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, and Southeast Asia.
Improved port efficiency is expected to reduce shipping costs, enhance agricultural export competitiveness, and support Special Economic Zones (SEZs) planned in surrounding areas.
Looking Ahead
As PNG moves toward a more diversified and export-driven economy, infrastructure is everything. These port upgrades are not just about trade—they’re about transforming how PNG participates in the global economy.
For many in Morobe and Central Province, the changes represent hope: more jobs, faster services, and a chance to compete globally without leaving their communities behind.
