deugro is scaling up its logistics operations in Papua New Guinea to support the Papua LNG project
deugro has been supporting major energy and infrastructure developments in Papua New Guinea for nearly two decades, having established its own presence in the country in 2007. Over this period, the company has built extensive local expertise, developed strong relationships with local suppliers and partners, and delivered project solutions in some of the country’s most remote and challenging environments.
A defining milestone was deugro’s involvement in Exxon’s PNG LNG project, where the company managed one of the most notable air logistics operations undertaken to date. Over approximately 105 days, deugro coordinated more than 100 Antonov AN-124 flights delivering critical equipment to the remote project area, an achievement that remains an unbeaten world record. The operation also involved the deployment of specialised heavy-haul transportation equipment, including hydraulic axle lines, trucks, trailers and handling assets. As the only logistics provider to mobilise such specialised heavy-lift equipment and dedicated personnel into Papua New Guinea, deugro enabled the safe transportation of oversized and heavy-lift cargoes under demanding conditions. In total, the company managed and shipped more than 3,000 purchase orders from worldwide origins to Papua New Guinea, representing approximately 300,000 FRT of project cargo.
Mark van der Molen, Project Director PNG at deugro, said the company’s experience on the PNG LNG project and the Lombrum Infrastructure Project on Manus Island had given it a clear understanding of the logistical, operational and stakeholder requirements associated with major developments in Papua New Guinea. He said this experience, gained through supporting remote construction sites, managing diverse project cargo volumes and coordinating large on-site workforces while maintaining quality, health, safety, environment and security standards, had shaped the company’s approach and established a foundation for supporting the Papua LNG project.
Building on this experience, deugro is expanding its capabilities and resources to support the Papua LNG project, having established three dedicated project entities to provide specialised project solutions for the development and its long-term execution requirements. A key component of this strategy is Purari Project Services Limited (PPSL), a joint venture between deugro and Jerilai Pujari Transport Limited (JPTL), which represents local landowner interests within PRL-15. Through close collaboration with landowners, PPSL enables safe marine transportation from Port Moresby to project construction sites along the Purari River in a manner that aligns project requirements with local participation and benefits.
To support the anticipated logistics requirements of the Papua LNG project, deugro and its partners will import a fleet of specialised marine equipment designed for river transportation operations on the Purari River system. The company is also mobilising and developing a skilled workforce to support marine transportation, yard management, project management and coordination, while creating opportunities for local participation and capability development.
Klaus Strahmann, CEO of deugro, said Papua New Guinea had been an important part of the company’s story for nearly two decades. He said the experience gained supporting the PNG LNG project, combined with deugro’s established local presence and partnerships in the country, placed it in a strong position to support the Papua LNG development, adding that strategic partnerships, investment in specialised equipment and the development of local talent were creating a foundation for long-term value for the project and the communities involved.
