WORKS SECRETARY CONFIRMS PROPOSED WATERISE INLAND CONTAINER TERMINAL PROJECT
CAPTION: 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝑴𝒓 𝑮𝒊𝒃𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝑨𝒍𝒊 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑲𝒖𝒎𝒖𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝑳𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑷𝑵𝑮 𝑷𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑳𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 this month 𝒂𝒕 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑷𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑰𝒏𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑻𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒕 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆.
DEPARTMENT of Works and Highways has commenced preliminary discussions with Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) and PNG Ports Corporation Limited regarding the proposed development of an Inland Container Terminal at Waterise, outside Lae.
Department Secretary Mr Gibson Ali Holemba confirmed that the proposed facility is intended to function as a strategic logistics hub, utilising the existing railway corridor between Lae and Waterise to improve the movement, storage and distribution of shipping containers servicing the Highlands Region, Madang Province and other parts of Papua New Guinea.
“The Department recently met with KCH and PNG Ports to explore the development of an inland container terminal at Waterise,” Mr Holemba stated.
“The concept is to establish a container storage and transfer facility at Waterise and utilise the Lae–Waterise railway link to facilitate efficient cargo movement between Lae Port and inland destinations.”
The Secretary emphasised that the proposal is aligned with the Government’s broader infrastructure and logistics modernisation agenda, aimed at easing congestion at the Port of Lae, improving cargo turnaround times, and strengthening the efficiency and resilience of the national supply chain network.
Mr Holemba confirmed that the project is entering its initial assessment phase.
“Tenders for feasibility studies covering economic and financial modelling, as well as detailed engineering assessments, will be issued shortly,” he said.
The feasibility studies will determine the project’s technical requirements, commercial viability, funding structure and long-term economic impact prior to any construction decision.
Mr Holemba reiterated that the Department of Works and Highways remains committed to working collaboratively with key State entities and stakeholders to deliver infrastructure solutions that support trade, economic growth and regional connectivity.
If progressed, the Waterise Inland Container Terminal will form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen transport and logistics infrastructure in Morobe Province and enhance connectivity between the Port of Lae and key inland production corridors.
