Steamships has announced a massive K100 million investment in Pacific Towing’s (PacTow) fleet renewal and localised maritime training. The investment strengthens PacTow’s position as the leading harbour and marine services provider at a pivotal time when the market demands world-class reliability, enhanced safety, and long-term commitment to PNG’s seafearers and building national capability.

The investment deploys K70 million specifically for two state-of-the-art newbuild tugs, which will be the most powerful and technologically advanced tugs in PNG, which are scheduled to arrive in the next 6 to 8 weeks. The first new tug, Pacific Responder, is expected to arrive in Port Moresby, followed by Pacific Resolute in Lae.

An additional K30 million is dedicated to life-extension drydocking, technical upgrades, and rigorous maintenance across PacTow’s existing fleet, ensuring unmatched service continuity and operational performance for PNG’s critical trade corridors and ports.

“PNG’s ports, waterways and trade are too important to accept anything less than safe, properly maintained marine assets and absolute operational resilience,” said Chris Daniells, Steamships Managing Director.

“This investment reflects Steamships’ commitment to our vision that we do not just operate here – we invest here – and that PNG deserves high-quality vessels, strong local crews and long-term investment in national maritime capability.”

PacTow employs more than 250 people, with 97 per cent of its workforce Papua New Guinean. The company has spent nearly five decades building local maritime capability and many of its people undertake national and international training to meet the safety, technical and operational standards required in modern marine services.

This wider training focus is also supported by Steamships’ industry-leading Maritime Training Centre (MTC) in Port Moresby. The centre provides targeted on-the-job training to PNG seafarers across the Steamships fleet, including PacTow’s tugs, helping crews operate to high global standards of safety and efficiency. This includes pioneering cadetships like the Women in Maritime scholarship program, run in partnership with the Australian Government, Swire Shipping, and Consort Express Lines.

“This fleet renewal programme will strengthen our fleet and support safer, more reliable service for customers,” said Gerard Kasnari, PacTow General Manager.

“Our tugs are important, but our people are our ultimate strength. Developing PNG’s next generation of seafarers is one of the most important contributions we can make at a time when the country desperately needs qualified maritime professionals to drive LNG, resource, and coastal trade projects”. 

Beyond standard harbor towage, PacTow remains the nation’s primary shield for coastal communities and marine environments through its comprehensive ocean salvage, pollution prevention, and emergency response infrastructure.

Further announcements regarding the formal commissioning and naming ceremonies for the Pacific Responder and Pacific Resolute in Port Moresby and Lae will be released as timelines lock in.