Blue Water Shipping has launched a regular liner service between North Asia and Papua New Guinea, as it extends its current service to Lihir.
HLPFI readers will recall, Blue Water Shipping Energy & Projects introduced three dedicated time charter vessels to service Newcrest Mining’s operations in Lihir earlier this year.
The expanded ‘Kumul service’ – operated with the multipurpose vessel Gala, which has a single lift capacity of 150 tonnes – will include calls in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China, South Korea, and Japan before arriving Lihir and Lae, Papua New Guinea.
With Gala, Blue Water said it will cater for containerised, breakbulk, project and out-of-gauge cargo.
Steven Lofaro, regional director, energy, ports, and projects Oceania, said that he sees a growing demand for cargo capacity, particularly for breakbulk cargoes, in and out of Papua New Guinea.
“It is exciting to offer our industry a regular and reliable service. The solution will help strengthen the supply chain for organisations based in Papua New Guinea, focusing on optimisation through both the importing and exporting of equipment in and out of Papua New Guinea,” he explained.
The maiden voyage will depart from Asia early-December. Moving forward, the service will offer regular sailings every 30 days.
The sailing schedule is available here. https://www.bws.net/traffic-info/kumul
