Who should apply for Mooring and Anchorage in the Harbour?

1.  All Vessels (Coastal and Overseas) applying for permanent anchorage / mooring.
2.  All Vessels (Coastal and Overseas) coming into ports and harbours for provisions or for inward and outward customs clearance formalities.

Exemption from Anchorage and Mooring Fees.

1. All vessels (Coastal and Overseas) awaiting berth are exempted up to seven (7)  days and charged accordingly at the lapse of seven (7) days.
2. All ships of war, government survey ships, hydrographic survey ships, customs and police patrol boats.

Mooring of Accommodation vessels.

Any persons wishing to moor or anchor  vessels for accommodation purposes whether  temporary or permanent must submit an application to PNGHMS and obtain a mooring position within the harbour to moor or anchor.

Persons allocated spaces to moor or anchor must submit a completed application with the following:

(a) A letter stating the purpose of requesting a mooring or anchorage space.

(b) A valid company certificate of the applicant’s company.

(c) The length of time it intends to remain at the mooring or anchorage.

(d) The description and particulars of the accommodation vessel.

(e) The number of people to be accommodated at any one time including the ships crew.

(f) The company’s plans for ship to shore movements.

(g) The company’s emergency and evacuation plans.

(h) Oil Spill and harbour environmental management plans.

(i) Waste disposal management plans.

(j) Safety and security plans including security declaration status (ISPS Code).

(k) Vessel manning plans.

(l) Evidence of National Maritime Safety Authority’s Maritime Safety approvals.

(m) Vessel’s contact and communication details.

Permanent and Temporary Mooring

Temporary Mooring - less than seven (7) days - fees charged on hourly basis.

Permanent Mooring - more than seven (7) days - fees  applied (3 months advance payment is required).

• Applicants will be permitted to anchor only in a mooring zone specificially allocated for a category of ship.
• permanent mooring positions are let on an annual basis and fees to be paid three months in advance.
• Cargo vessels granted temporary mooring or anchorage within the harbour limits to await berth availability will not be charged fees if it takes up berth within the seven (7) days period. Anchorage position may not be necessary within the certified mooring zone.
• All other vessels including foreign registered log carriers, export ships, cruise vessels, yachts, locally registered cargo vessels, pleasure crafts and work boats that enter ports and harbours solely for provisions and customs clearance  formalities will pay mooring or anchorage fees consistent with the schedule of fees.
• Distress vessels wanting to obtain urgent medical attention for its crews, urgent repairs, or to obtain urgently needed supplies to enable her to continue her voyage will be permitted to anchor/ moor up to seven (7) days only and fees will be applied if exceeding seven (7) days.

Mooring & Anchorage Permit - a permit is required to moore or anchor in harbour within port limits.

Mooring & Anchorage Application Form - more than seven (7) days - fees  applied (3 months advance payment is required).

• Applicants to complete application form and forward to Port Manager for assessment and issue of Permit
• For accommodation vessels, applicants need to complete form and forward together with the above listed requirements to the Port Manager for assessment and issuance of Permit

A Port Facility Operator

License is required to be obtained from the Port Manager to operate a Port Facility.

Who Should Apply for the Port Facility Operator License?

Any person, body or an organization constructing, maintaining or operating a port facility, a terminal or a shed is required by law to obtain a license to construct, erect and operate the facility.

What is a Port Facility?

A Port Facility refers to any fixed or floating building, structure, shed, vessel, terminal, facility erection, pipeline or other improvement within a Port and includes a wharf and any navigational aids within a port and the channels and approaches to a Port.

Application Requirements

1. A letter stating the stating the interest, location, nature of business and certificate of occupancy or title of occupancy.
2. A Company’s Certificate of Incorporation with shareholding and Directorship details.
3. Details of training scheme.
4. Localisation programs where foreigners are employed.
5. Intended period or duration of operation.
6. The expected volumes of cargoes to be transferred at any one time.
7. Emergency Response and Evacuation Plans.
8. Waste Management Plans
9. Safety and Security Plans.
10. Emergency Response Plans.
11. Evidence of existing Insurance Cover.
12. Evidence of meeting NMSA requirements,
13. Any other necessary supporting documents.

The applicant is required to submit the completed application form [link to go here] together with this requirement for assessment.

License Application Form

• An application for a license shall be made on the Form HM-PFO—001 [link to go here].
• The application should be completed with full and accurate particulars as required on the form.

License Fees

License fees will be Charged to Port Facility Operators depending on the cargo through put measured in Gross Revenue Tonnage.

Port Facility Operator (PFO) License Duration

A PFO licence is valid for 24 months or 2 years and is subject to renewal upon expiry.

Port Facility Operator (PFO) License Renewal

PFO license holders can apply for renewal of their license using the same application form [link to form]

Guidelines and requirements for Operating Ferry Services.

Applies to?

Any person wishing to undertake or conduct ferry services within the harbour areas of a declared port is required to obtain a ferry services permit  from the Port Manager.

Requirements

Permit Application

• Obtain a Ferry Service Permit application form HM-FS-001 [link to go here] from the Port Manager
• Application Form must be completed and submitted together with all necessary required information to the Port Manager for assessment.
• Upon meeting all requirements a permit will be issued for the duration of 12 months or one year.
• Renewal of permit is required upon expiry if applicant wishes to continue operating ferry services.

Permit Fee

A Permit fee per annum is required to be paid in oder to obtain a permit.

This should be submitted together with the application.

Penalties

Any breach of the conditions of the permit will attract penalties and the permit will be completely withdrawn if the permit holder repeats the offence after monetary fine is imposed.

Ship To Ship Transfer Operation

A ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operation is the transfer of cargo between seagoing ships positioned alongside each other, either while stationary or underway. Cargoes typically transferred via STS methods include crude oil, liquefied gas (LPG or LNG), bulk cargo, petroleum products, and general cargoes.

Most of cargo operations are taking place between a ship and a land-based terminal. Nevertheless it sometime can be useful to transfer cargo from one ship to another in open sea and this is called a ship-to-ship operation. At that moment, one of them will act as the terminal where the other one will moor. The receiving ship is called the mother vessel.

The Ship to ship transfer operations if not properly regulated and controlled, can pose hazardous and catastrophic impacts to the safety of the vessels, people, harbour and port environment.

This activity is being regulated and must be properly permitted to ensure safety and security of the harbour and port environment.

Permit Requirement

Those who wish to conduct ship-to-ship transfer operations must apply to the PNGHMS and obtain a permit 76 hours prior to the ETA of the vessel. 

Application Requirements

The application should include and meet the following requirements:

1.  Complete an application form which can be obtained from the Port Manager.
2. Full details of the owner or agent of the vessels with clear description of
   (a) the names and the description of the two vessels;
   (b) the deepest draft of the two vessels;
   (c) the last port of call for both vessels;
   (d) the manifest copy of the cargo
   (e) declare any Dangerous Cargo on board the vessels.
3. The emergency response and evacuation plans for both vessels.
4. Waste management plans.
5. Safety and security plans include ISPS Code requirements.
6. 6. Provide evidence of meeting NMSA requirements.
7. Name of the licensed stevedore to be engaged in the ship-to-ship transfer.
8. Number of tugs to be used/employed.
9. Permit issued is per ship-to-ship transfer operation per port of call and does not extend to other ship-to-ship transfer operations on other ports.

Regulatory Requirement

Upon approving of the application and issuing of a ship-to-ship transfer operations permit, the vessel owners or agents are required to comply with the operations requirements, before  the transfers and during the transfer operations.

Before the Transfer Operations

(a) The transfer areas must be secured and safe.

(b) Ensure that all working equipments are functional and working.

(c) Pre-planning of mooring arrangements.

(d) The use of approved Check Lists at all stages.

(e) The preparation of necessary emergency plans for both vessels.

(f) Decisions on initial and subsequent cargo transfer rates.

(g) Language of the operations must be agreed.

(h) Berthing and mooring procedures are agreed, including fender positions and number/ tp of ropes to be provided by each ship.

(i) The ships are upright and at a suitable trim without any overhanging projections.

(j) Engines, steering gear and navigational equipment have been tested and are running in good order.

(k) Whether forecasts have been obtained and confirmed that the whether is suitable for ship-to-ship transfer operations.

During the Transfer Operations 

(a) A clear and effective communication is maintained between the two ships.

(b) Continuous monitoring during cargo transfer operation.

(c) Ensure proper management of waste, pollution and discharges  of any harmful substances.

(d) Operation is to cease immediately in the event that a transfer equipment has broken down or become malfunctioning during the operations.

(e) The engines of both vessels must be off during the entire operation.

(f) Be careful and safely uncouple and unmoor.

(g) Refer and use OCIMF Guidelines to ensure safe and trouble free operations.

(h) Operations are to take place only within an approved anchorage and designated anchorage zone.

Conditions of Permit

The permit must be used  consistent with the conditions issued  together with the permit.

Ship to ship (STS) Transfer Operration Charges

Regulatory fees applicable for this operation (STS) and applies according to container types and size of each cargo transferred as assessed by Port Manager.

Penalties and Liabilities

Appropriate penalties will be applied if  operators, vessel owners or agents fail to comply with the requirements.

“Consult PNGHMS for more information”

Licensing Requirements

1. Who should apply for Stevedoring License?

   Any person or organization  wanting to do stevedoring business in a declared port and includes existing operations and those intending to undertake stevedoring operations.

2. Why must one have a Stevedoring Licensing to carry on stevedoring business activity?

   Section 50 of the Ports (Management & Safety) Regulation, 2010 requires that all stevedoring operations within the declared ports to be licensed.
   
   

3. What are the Requirements of Applying for a Stevedores license?

   The applicant must be attached with the completed prescribed application form, with the following for assessment by the Port Manager:
   
   
   • The company Profile including work history.
   
   
   • Details of a training Program for its labour force to improve operations, supervision, efficiency and safety standards.
   
   
   • Copies of Income Tax Returns Filed for the last two (2) years.
   
   
   • Access agreement from the Port Facility Operator.
   
   
   • Evidence of Financial capacity to meet the obligations of the workers wages and their insurance.
   
   
   • Evidence of sufficient stevedoring equipment and labour force to undertake stevedoring work.
   
   
   • Training and localization plans / programs.
     
     
   • Local land owner content.

4. A Stevedoring License fee is required to be paid to obtain a Stevedore Operator License.

   • A stevedore licence is valid for three (3) years and is subject to renewal upon review by the Port Manager.

Who should apply and Why

All persons wishing to undertake water front development activities, excavations, reclamations, etc. within the foreshores of a declared port are required to HAVE a VALID Underwater Lease Title obtained from the Department of Lands and Physical Planning (DLPP) to undertake any of the above activities.

1.0 Why?

1.1 No water front development activities,  excavations and reclamations is permitted without endorsement from the Port Manager.

1.2 DLPP will only issue underwater Lease Title only when Endorsement has been granted by the Port Manager. 

2.0 Process

2.1 Submit a written application.

2.2 PNGHMS to assess application.

2.3 Application Approved Endorsed)/Not  approved (Not endorsed).

2.4 Advice Applicant.

3.0 Requirements

3.1 Pay to PNG Harbours Management Services a non-refundable application Fee of K200. 

3.2 Submit together with the application the following :

(a) Specify type of underwater lease (Urban Development, Business and Residential, etc)

(b) Survey Plan-indicating the site and actual coordinates of the proposal proposed lease area.

(c) Company / Business Profile

(d) Certificate of Incorporation of Company / Business obtained from IPA.

(e) Type of Business Activities to be carried out on the leased area.

(f) Environment Management Plan

(g) Development Plan

(h) Specify initial development time frame (commencement date and completion date) before commence-ment of business activities.

(i) Future management plan highlighting safety, security and environmental management issues.

4.0 Condition of Endorsement

All endorsements or permits issued are valid only for the specified period indicated in the application to undertake initial development.

The permit is not transferable and will be cancelled if PNGHMS has established that the permit has been transferred and that no development has been carried out within the time frame specified in the application. A new permit will be required in order to continue develop the area by lodging in an application to PNGHMS to develop the land.

5.0 General Information

All Applicants will be treated equally and approval / endorsement of the application are dependent on meeting all regulatory requirements as indicated in Clause 3.0.

Obtaining a permit / approval to secure underwater lease is not an authorization to carry out any port development or business activities within the an area of the harbour and port declared port limits. It is only an endorsement that the developer has met all regulatory requirements in order to secure an underwater lease from the DLPP.

For further clarification and assistance please contact us.

PNGHMS is also regulating the tugs and towage operations within the declared ports and compulsory pilotage areas. Every tug, towage and mooring conducted must have a permit issued by the Port Manager.

Removal Wrecks and Relics

The removal of wrecks and relics is about removing hazardous material for safe navigation and protection of marine environment.

Dangerous Goods Handling Information

What is Dangerous Goods?

Dangerous goods are solids,

Fires, Flames and Lights information

The PNGHMS is mandated with regulatory powers to regulate the use of fire, flames and lights