News in Brief
Steamships Returns to Bougainville
16 February 2022
Nerakaa oto’oto’ke meriaing (New Spirit, New Deal, New Bougainville)
On Wednesday 16 February 2022 Managing Director Rupert Bray and a delegation from Steamships attended a ceremony in the North Nasioi District to mark the repossession of state lease titles. The ceremony was hosted by the President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and his Ministers to mark the first steps in economic rehabilitation through welcoming back former lease holders in Bougainville, beginning with Steamships.
IMAGE: (LR) ABG Minister for Lands, Physical Planning, Environment and Conservation, Hon. Robert Hamal Sawa, MBHOR; President of the Autonomous Government of Bougainville, Hon. Ishmael Toroama, MBHOR, Member for North Nasioi Constituency & ABG Minister for Finance & Treasury Hon. Mathias Salas, MBHOR, Managing Director Steamships Limited, Rupert Bray, before the ceremony.
Steamships has a long history in Bougainville. With a presence in Kieta before the crisis through hospitality, retail and shipping and during the crisis through our shipping and stevedoring business. Nikana Stevedores is a 50/50 joint venture between Steamships and local Kieta landowners and employs over 75 Bougainvilleans contributing millions of Kina to the local economy every year.
The occasion was significant because Steamships is the first businesses to return to Bougainville following the mandated processes set by the ABG. The full drawdown of all powers and functions for Land Administration in late 2021 from the National Government to the ABG has allowed for Bougainville to fully administer its land titles and provided a way forward for Steamships in Bougainville.
The Steamships project team, led by Group Legal Counsel, Deborah Onga, and on-ground lead consultant Moira Eka, then commenced discussions with the ABG through the President’s Office, the ABG Lands Minister, and the District office and traditional land custodians in North Nasioi, Toniva and Kieta to access and map out existing land assets and a viable plan of rehabilitation.
IMAGE: (LR) Hon. Robert Hamal Sawa, Rupert Bray, Hon. Mathias Salas, President Ishmael Toroama
Recognition must be given to the traditional land custodians in the Kieta District who have respected the rule of law and leaseholder rights. Their mindset was that they were caretakers during and post-crisis. When the subject of repossession and rehabilitation was brought to their chiefs and representatives, they were happy to open communication lines and become active participants in the way forward for their district and set a precedent for the rest of Bougainville. Consultations and open discussions with all stakeholders culminated in a symbolic customary ceremony on Wednesday 16 February attended by the President of the AROB, members of his cabinet, chiefs, and community of North Nasioi, and Steamships.
Managing Director, Rupert Bray, addressed the ABG and the people of North Nasioi, saying that Steamships is committed to the revitalisation of the economy, to help the people of this district and Bougainville realise their economic potential and aspirations of self-sustainability. He expressed his delight in being able to return to Bougainville as a developer and thanked the President and the people of Bougainville for welcoming Steamships so sincerely.
Mr Bray acknowledged the Project Team and the ABG Lands Minister Hon. Hamal Sawa and his team for their efforts thus far, as any form of reconciliation and rehabilitation and recovery takes many different stakeholders to participate in the journey. He reassured President Toroama that Steamships takes its responsibilities seriously and acknowledged that this is the first step in a long journey to realising a vibrant economy.
IMAGE: (LR) President of the Autonomous Government of Bougainville, Hon. Ishmael Toroama, MBHOR & Managing Director Steamships Limited, Rupert Bray in conversation after the planting of coconut trees
President Ishmael Toroama who hosted the ceremony expressed his gratitude to Steamships and welcomed the move to rehabilitate existing leases. “Your confidence in my government gives confidence to other would-be investors and companies who are interested in conducting business on Bougainville,” President Toroama said.
“It signifies that Bougainville has returned to normalcy and we have a conducive business environment that is ready to exploit the various investment opportunities on our resource-rich islands,” President Toroama added.
President Toroama and MD Rupert Bray participated in a symbolic ground-breaking ceremony where His Excellency said 'Graun yu mas kisim bek Steamships' and both gentlemen planted coconut trees to mark the historical occasion.
Steamships has evolved and consolidated since it was last active in Bougainville. From trade and hardware store and shipping into six businesses that span three diverse industries:
- Property, Pacific Palms Property
- Hospitality, Coral Sea Hotels & Enzos
- Transport and Logistics, East West Transport, Consort Express Lines, Pacific Towing, and JV Port Services.
Hiri Moale Festival 2021
10 February 2022
Steamships reaffirmed its support for the Hiri Moale Festival, returning as lead Gold Sponsor with sponsorship valued at K100,000.
Managing Director, Mr Rupert Bray, announced the sponsorship at a cheque presentation to Motu Koita Assembly Chairman, Dadi Toka Jnr, at Ela Beach Hotel on Wednesday, January 26, 2021. The sponsorship goes towards cultural performers, the construction of the Coral Sea Hotels Cultural Performance Arena, and designated catering.
Figure 1 2021 Hiri Hanenamo Contestants, Reigning Hiri Queen Sera Vani, Steamships MD Rupert Bray, and MKA Chairman Dadi Toka Jnr
Serah Vani, the reigning Hiri Queen, and the 10 contesting Hanenamos were present, along with members of the Motu Koita Assembly and the Hiri Moale Festival Committee. They had the opportunity to introduce themselves and speak a little about where they are from and their motivations to participate in the Hiri Hanenamo Quest. This was part of their Speech Craft program, teaching the young ladies about public speaking.
Figure 2 2021 Hanenamos: LR Manumanu – Nana Pake, Gaire - Asi Kamuta, Tatana - Kaiya Jones, Elevala - Guba Hitolo, Mahuru - Maggie Geita, Pari - Raila English, Boera - Madaha Kevau, Tatana - Pauline Okitai, Gabagaba - Noeleen Nouairi, Hanuabada - Andrea Taraka
It is a three-day festival that commences on Friday 11 Feb 2022, with a Sponsors Night to officially open the Festival. Saturday is dedicated to the Trukai Vanagi Races at Era Kone. This is a two-part program, with races in the first half of the program and the arrival of the lagatoi in the second half of the program. Sunday is devoted to cultural performances and the crowning of the 2021 Hiri Hanenamo.
Fellow corporate sponsors of the Festival include Exxon Mobil PNG, Digicel, Trukai, PNG Air, Amazing Port Moresby, House of Gemini, Moni Plus, Black Swan International, and Pacific Industries.
Hiri Moale Festival 2021 - Full Program
STEAMSHIPS ENTERS LOGISTICS PARTNERSHIP WITH E-COMMERCE PLATFORM SHOPSMART
20 June 2021
Steamships Trading Company has announced a new agreement with Emstret Space, a locally owned hub for SMEs that plays a vital role in influencing the growth and development of many SMEs around PNG. Under the agreement, Steamships will provide heavily subsidized transport and logistics services to Emstret through its subsidiaries East West Transport and Consort Express Lines.
SMEs within Emstret’s Shopsmart online marketplace will have the opportunity to transport goods and equipment all over PNG through Steamships’ trucking and shipping network, reaching a wider market. “E-Commerce is an exciting new initiative for SMEs in PNG, providing a much larger marketplace.” says Alfred Weston, Business Development Manager at Steamships, “However, it also presents a much larger logistics challenge to move goods between sellers and buyers.
This is one area where Steamships’ can offer support”. Emstret Founder and Director, Vani Nades says, “The aim of Emstret Space is to create an inclusive ecosystem for entrepreneurs, allowing them to connect, collaborate and grow. Whilst the pandemic had many negative effects, it also challenged communities like ours to think outside the box. Shopsmart PNG is the future of e-commerce in Papua New Guinea and will ensure that SMEs continue to grow during these trying times” she added. “The future is promising because of this partnership with Steamships Trading Company, our vendors will be at ease knowing that their products will reach its destination through Steamships’ extensive logistics network”.
Steamships supports Caritas technical School Nutrition Program
03 June 2021
Steamships and Goodman Fielder have come on board to support Caritas Technical College’s Nutrition Program.
The current pandemic and its engulfing effect have not spared schools in Papua New Guinea including Caritas Technical School.
One assessment and survey conducted by the National Department of Education, Save the Children and UNICEF have highlighted the adverse effect Covid has had on education and schools in the country.
According to Sr Mazarrello, the school’s Director, the Nutrition Program was on the verge of closing because of covid. “The National School Health Policy of 2015” encourages good nutrition in schools. We are determined to provide quality education and good nutrition to enable the students to perform better in school. We are grateful of the support from steamships and Goodman Fielder”.
Steamships and Goodman Fielder were invited to the school on Thursday 3rd June to announce the partnership in front of teachers and the students.
Steamships Corporate Affairs General Manager David Toua said that good nutrition throughout life played a significant role and promoted a healthy outcome for growth and development for young people in education.
“We congratulate Cartias Technical College and thank Steamships for this program and the opportunity to partner. In addition to the nutritional support, we are also providing work experience opportunities for five students to help prepare them for when they get out in the workforce after their studies. Assisting the students and the school communities during the pandemic is important,” said Anell Ovia, Goodman Fielder’s Human Resource Manager.
Sister Mazarello hopes that the Nutrition Program will assist parents as well as students in the school.