Transport & Logistics
From The Report: Papua New Guinea 2020
View in Online Reader

Papua New Guinea’s topography is characterised by mountainous terrain, rivers and around 600 islands. Travelling by road can be complicated and expensive, with many routes in need of maintenance; as a result, the transport of people and goods often relies on sea and air networks, which incur high costs for businesses operating in PNG. The ripple effects of improved transport infrastructure are vast – not only because the easier movement of goods and people can benefit the high-potential agriculture and tourism sectors, but also since improved connectivity will facilitate greater development opportunities for rural communities. While the full impact of Covid-19 on the sector remains to be seen, developing transport infrastructure is integral to the country’s medium- and long-term goals, and a vital stepping stone to economic diversification. Better connections and improved integration between different modes of transport will lower the cost of doing business and make the country a more attractive destination for investment. This chapter contains interviews with Robert Howden, Managing Director, Express Freight Management; and Rupert Bray, COO, Steamships Trading Company.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Path to prosperity: Improving transport links is a key part of plans to encourage sustainable and inclusive growth
OBG
plus

Papua New Guinea’s topography is characterised by mountainous terrain, rivers and around 600 islands. The country’s geographic diversity is accompanied by abundant natural resources, but challenges in transport connectivity have prevented their full benefits from being unlocked. Travelling by road can be complicated and expensive, with many routes in need of maintenance; as a result, the transport of people and goods often relies on sea and air networks, which incur high costs for businesses…

Interview

The road ahead: Robert Howden, Managing Director, Express Freight Management, on the obstacles to infrastructure development
OBG
plus

Interview:Robert Howden How can infrastructure be improved across the country to ensure equal development? ROBERT HOWDEN: Currently there is a lack of dialogue between private enterprise and the government, particularly with regard to the regional chambers of commerce and the manufacturers’ council. Each region is unique, and thus has its own development needs. For example, Lae is the industrial heart of the country and ships out many goods, but it lacks the reliable utilities and transport…

Interview

The path ahead: Rupert Bray, COO, Steamships Trading Company, on adapting to changes in the global supply chain
OBG
plus

Interview:Rupert Bray How do you manage a global supply chain through a pandemic, and what will be the legacy of the Covid-19 outbreak in supply chain management? RUPERT BRAY: Papua New Guinea’s transport and logistics sector is already characterised by an oversupply of service providers. Some businesses will survive, while others will be forced to close. New partnerships forged between companies will likely remain to ensure high-valued, end-to-end service solutions. The shipping segment…