Discover the Papua: Ratings & Maritime News

On September 17, 2017, the LNG tanker 'Papua' showcased remarkable seamanship as it came to the aid of four stranded yachtsmen in peril near Port Moresby. The vessel, en route to Qingdao from Port Moresby, received a distress signal via the Australian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in the afternoon, prompting an immediate and brave course change. Navigating to the designated location, 'Papua' successfully located the distressed individuals at 11:30 p.m. that evening. The following morning, September 18, the castaways were safely transferred to a rescue vessel dispatched from Port Moresby, completing a significant maritime rescue operation.

Papua New Guinea – The LNG carrier Papua, a purpose-built vessel for the PNG LNG Project, arrived at the PNG LNG marine facilities on February 22nd, marking the commencement of its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo loading. Recently inaugurated by Mrs. Lynda Babao O’Neill, the Papua boasts a capacity of 172,000 cubic meters and stretches an impressive 290 meters in length. Engaged in a long-term charter with the PNG LNG Project, this super-sized LNG carrier is set to transport natural gas to key clients across Asia. Notably, the Papua is recognized as the largest LNG carrier constructed in China. Andrew Barry, managing director of ExxonMobil PNG, expressed enthusiasm about the ship's arrival, stating, "We are already off to an exciting start to 2015 with our first custom-built ship preparing to load its first cargo, which will be shipped to Sinopec. The arrival of this ship supports our objective to safely and reliably deliver LNG to our customers." The Papua operates under the ownership of Aquarius LNG Shipping Limited, a joint venture involving Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), China Shipping Group, and Sinopec. MOL is tasked with overseeing the ship's operations within the PNG LNG venture, ensuring effective delivery of cargoes directed by ExxonMobil PNG Limited, the project's operator. In 2011, Exxon Mobil Corporation, alongside MOL, entrusted Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding—a subsidiary of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation—to construct two LNG carriers specifically for the PNG LNG Project. The Papua represents the first of these two vessels, with the second expected to be delivered in 2016.

In a significant milestone for maritime industry collaboration, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) proudly announced the handover of the LNG carrier, Papua, on January 30. This remarkable vessel, constructed by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, marks a historic achievement as it is the inaugural LNG carrier produced in China designed for an international shipping company. The Papua is part of a series of four LNG carriers being built for China's investment in the Papua New Guinea LNG project, spearheaded by China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC) along with the Gorgon-Jansz LNG project in Australia. Papua is co-owned by MOL, China Shipping (Group) Company, and SINOPEC, and will be operated by MOL under a long-term charter agreement with ExxonMobil for the PNG LNG project, showcasing a significant step forward in global energy transport.