Papua New Guinea is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, as well as numerous smaller islands. It shares a border with Indonesia to the west and is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Papua New Guinea has various types of ports due to its extensive coastline and inland waterways:
- Sea Ports: Papua New Guinea has several sea ports along its coastline, serving as vital hubs for maritime trade and transportation. Major sea ports include:
- Port Moresby Port: Located in the capital city of Port Moresby, this port is the largest and busiest in Papua New Guinea, handling a wide range of cargo including containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products.
- Lae Port: Situated in the city of Lae, Lae Port is the country’s second-largest port and a significant contributor to Papua New Guinea’s economy, particularly in the export of agricultural products and minerals.
- Madang Port: Located in the town of Madang, this port serves as a key hub for maritime activities in the northern region of Papua New Guinea.
- River Ports: Papua New Guinea has river ports along its navigable rivers, primarily for domestic transportation and trade. These river ports play a crucial role in connecting remote communities and facilitating the movement of goods and people. Notable river ports include those along the Sepik River and the Fly River.
- Inland Terminals: Inland terminals in Papua New Guinea serve as important nodes in the country’s transportation network, facilitating the distribution of goods within the country and to neighboring regions. These terminals often integrate road and river transport networks to transport cargo efficiently. Examples include:
- Lae Inland Container Terminal: Located near Lae Port, this inland terminal provides connectivity to the hinterland and facilitates the handling of containerized cargo.
- Border Crossings: Papua New Guinea shares land borders with Indonesia, but traditional border crossings are not prominent due to geographical barriers such as rugged terrain and dense forests. However, there may be informal crossings in remote areas used by local communities for trade and travel between the two countries.
List of Largest Ports in Papua New Guinea
| Port Name | Types of Cargo Ships | Monthly Arrivals |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Lae | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro | 500 |
| Port of Port Moresby | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro | 400 |
| Port of Kimbe | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 300 |
| Port of Madang | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 250 |
| Port of Rabaul | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 200 |
| Port of Alotau | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 180 |
| Port of Kieta | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 150 |
| Port of Wewak | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 120 |
| Port of Oro Bay | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 100 |
| Port of Vanimo | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 80 |
| Port of Aitape | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 70 |
| Port of Samarai | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 60 |
| Port of Kiunga | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 50 |
| Port of Daru | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 40 |
| Port of Lorengau | Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker | 30 |
Major Ports of Papua New Guinea
1. Port Moresby Port
Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, is the most significant port in the country. Located on the southeastern coast of the mainland, the port is the main gateway for imports and exports, including bulk cargo, fuel, and manufactured goods. The Port of Port Moresby is well-equipped with modern facilities to handle containers and cargo ships, supporting the country’s growing industrial sector. As the capital city, Port Moresby also plays a pivotal role in government, commerce, and tourism.
City Location: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Latitude: 9.4438° S
Longitude: 147.1803° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Koki | 5 | Coastal Highway |
| Gordons | 10 | Coastal Highway |
| Gerehu | 15 | Highway 7 |
| Port Moresby East | 20 | Highway 7 |
| Lae | 380 | National Highway 1 |
| Madang | 550 | National Highway 1 |
| Mount Hagen | 380 | National Highway 1 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Port Moresby Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Gordons Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Lae Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Madang Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Mount Hagen Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
2. Port of Lae
The Port of Lae is the second-largest and busiest seaport in Papua New Guinea. It is located on the northern coast of the country and serves as the main port for the Morobe Province. Lae is a critical port for exporting agricultural products such as coffee, cocoa, and palm oil, and it plays a key role in the shipping of bulk goods, machinery, and consumer goods. The port has various terminals capable of handling different types of cargo, making it essential to both local and international trade.
City Location: Lae, Papua New Guinea
Latitude: 6.7303° S
Longitude: 147.4145° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Nadzab | 40 | Nadzab-Lae Road |
| Madang | 160 | National Highway 1 |
| Finschhafen | 50 | National Highway 1 |
| Mount Hagen | 620 | National Highway 1 |
| Port Moresby | 380 | National Highway 1 |
| Wau | 250 | Wau-Lae Road |
| Bulolo | 300 | National Highway 1 |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Lae Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Nadzab Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Madang Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Finschhafen Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Mount Hagen Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
3. Port of Rabaul
Rabaul is located on the northeastern tip of New Britain Island and is a historically significant port for both its commercial and military importance. The port serves the East New Britain Province and is essential for the shipment of copra, cocoa, palm oil, and timber. Despite being damaged during volcanic eruptions, Rabaul Port has rebuilt its infrastructure to continue supporting regional trade. It plays a crucial role in the export sector, particularly in agricultural products.
City Location: Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
Latitude: 4.2025° S
Longitude: 152.1450° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Kokopo | 20 | New Britain Highway |
| Kimbe | 100 | New Britain Highway |
| Lae | 650 | National Highway 1 |
| Port Moresby | 1,200 | National Highway 1 |
| Madang | 950 | National Highway 1 |
| Buka | 320 | Buka-Rabaul Road |
| Kavieng | 430 | Kavieng-Rabaul Road |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Rabaul Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Kokopo Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Kimbe Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Lae Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Port Moresby Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
4. Port of Kimbe
Kimbe is located on the island of New Britain and serves as the commercial hub for the West New Britain Province. It is an important port for the export of palm oil, cocoa, and other agricultural products. The port plays a crucial role in regional trade, particularly in shipping out agricultural produce from the surrounding areas. While it is not as large as Lae or Port Moresby, Kimbe Port is vital to the province’s economy.
City Location: Kimbe, Papua New Guinea
Latitude: 5.3317° S
Longitude: 150.2130° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Rabaul | 100 | New Britain Highway |
| Port Moresby | 800 | National Highway 1 |
| Lae | 850 | National Highway 1 |
| Madang | 1,050 | National Highway 1 |
| Wewak | 1,100 | National Highway 1 |
| Kavieng | 450 | Kavieng-Rabaul Road |
| Buka | 350 | Buka-Kimbe Road |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Kimbe Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Rabaul Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Port Moresby Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Lae Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Kavieng Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
5. Port of Madang
Madang is located on the north coast of Papua New Guinea and is known for its pristine waters and coral reefs. The port is a key facility for the export of agricultural products such as cocoa, copra, and coffee. It is also a gateway for regional trade with neighboring countries. The port handles both cargo and passenger ships, contributing to PNG’s tourism sector. The Madang port infrastructure supports bulk and containerized cargo, providing services to local industries.
City Location: Madang, Papua New Guinea
Latitude: 5.2070° S
Longitude: 145.7880° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Lae | 340 | National Highway 1 |
| Port Moresby | 700 | National Highway 1 |
| Rabaul | 950 | National Highway 1 |
| Wewak | 150 | National Highway 1 |
| Goroka | 800 | National Highway 1 |
| Kavieng | 700 | Kavieng-Madang Road |
| Buka | 850 | Buka-Madang Road |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Madang Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Lae Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Port Moresby Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Wewak Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Goroka Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
6. Port of Kavieng
Kavieng is located on the island of New Ireland and serves as an essential port for the region’s shipping needs. The port handles the export of copra, cocoa, and palm oil. Kavieng is also a popular stop for tourist cruise ships, boosting the tourism industry. The port’s modern infrastructure is essential for connecting the island to the rest of Papua New Guinea, and it supports both commercial and small-scale local activities.
City Location: Kavieng, Papua New Guinea
Latitude: 2.5825° S
Longitude: 150.7960° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Rabaul | 430 | Kavieng-Rabaul Road |
| Port Moresby | 1,000 | National Highway 1 |
| Lae | 1,100 | National Highway 1 |
| Madang | 1,200 | National Highway 1 |
| Wewak | 1,150 | National Highway 1 |
| Goroka | 1,300 | National Highway 1 |
| Kimbe | 450 | New Britain Highway |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Kavieng Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Rabaul Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Port Moresby Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Lae Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Madang Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
7. Port of Wewak
Wewak, located in the East Sepik Province, is a port used primarily for regional trade, particularly in agricultural products and resources. It is vital for the shipping of timber, copra, and other goods from the area to other parts of Papua New Guinea and abroad. Wewak is also a popular tourist destination, contributing to the cruise industry.
City Location: Wewak, Papua New Guinea
Latitude: 3.5500° S
Longitude: 143.6560° E
Nearby Cities and Road Connections:
| City | Distance (km) | Road Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Madang | 150 | National Highway 1 |
| Lae | 350 | National Highway 1 |
| Port Moresby | 600 | National Highway 1 |
| Rabaul | 800 | National Highway 1 |
| Goroka | 500 | National Highway 1 |
| Kavieng | 1,150 | Kavieng-Madang Road |
| Buka | 1,100 | Buka-Madang Road |
Nearby Railway Stations:
- Wewak Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Madang Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Lae Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Port Moresby Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)
- Goroka Railway Station (Papua New Guinea)