Steamships

18/11/2025

We are immensely proud to announce the premiere of our documentary, “Steamships and PNG, Our Story,” which took place last week on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Marriott Executive Apartments.

This short film is a powerful narrative of our collective journey and celebration of a remarkable partnership built on resilience, innovation, and a pioneering spirit that has been deeply woven into the history of Papua New Guinea. From our humble beginnings with the SS Queenscliffe in 1918 to the milestones that have shaped industries and communities today, this is a story of shared legacy and enduring commitment.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening. Our commitment to progress in Papua New Guinea remains stronger than ever.

06/11/2025

Steamships was honoured to receive the Best Annual Report of the Year (with an emphasis on ESG) at the 13th Director’s Annual Awards Night, hosted by the Papua New Guinea Institute of Directors.

This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our teams across Steamships’ diverse business portfolio as we continue to drive sustainable growth and enhance transparency in reporting our environmental, social, and governance performance.

Congratulations to all category winners!

21/10/2025

Steamships is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Heyns as Chief Executive Officer of our Property Division, Pacific Palms Property (PPP). This strategic move marks a significant milestone as we embark on our next phase of growth and innovation.

Alan brings over 20 years of diverse and impactful experience across the property, construction, and oil & gas sectors. His expertise encompasses the entire property development lifecycle, from concept and design through to project delivery, with a strong record of successfully leading complex projects and enhancing operational performance.

During his tenure as Property Development General Manager at PPP, Alan spearheaded notable achievements, including the iconic Harbourside South addition to the Harbourside Precinct, home to Marriott Executive Apartments, and new developments such as Portside Business Park and Dobel Central in Mt Hagen. His leadership in strategic project planning, construction management, and commercial contract negotiation has significantly reinforced PPP's reputation as a leader in Papua New Guinea's property sector. His unique cross-industry perspective aligns perfectly with Steamships’ strategic goals for sustainable growth and long-term value creation.

Chris Daniells, Managing Director of Steamships, commented on the appointment: “Alan takes on the role at an exciting time for the company as both Steamships and PPP prepare for a period of sustained growth over the next three years. Alan’s contributions to the development and ex*****on of the vision for PPP’s Property Development and his strong understanding of the business and PNG, positions him well to lead the division forward.”

Expressing his enthusiasm, Alan Heyns stated, “I’m honored to step into this role and lead a company that has long been a driver of transformative property development in PNG. With our exceptional team, I’m committed to advancing sustainable growth, unlocking new opportunities, and delivering developments that uplift communities and create lasting value.”

Alan’s extensive career includes senior roles across PNG, South Africa, and Angola, with companies such as Hornibrook NGI Ltd, SGB-Cape, and Southey Offshore, where he honed his expertise in quantity surveying, cost management, and large-scale project delivery.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Alan Heyns. We are confident that his leadership will steer Pacific Palms Property into its most exciting and impactful chapter yet.

16/10/2025

On October 4th, the Santos National Football Stadium came alive with the unmistakable Steamies Spirit. Our annual Steamies Rugby Tournament brought together 22 teams, including 11 men’s rugby union teams and 11 women’s touch rugby teams, from across our divisions, all battling it out for the Managing Director’s Cup and a year’s worth of bragging rights.

This year’s tournament was a true celebration of the Steamies spirit, marked by resilience, unity, and flair. Each match reflected the dedication and camaraderie that define our culture, making it another memorable chapter in our sporting calendar.

In the Women’s Touch Rugby Tournament, the STC Chiefs once again claimed the Managing Director’s Cup, achieving an impressive five-peat after defeating PPP Pearls 3–2 in extra time, solidifying their place in STC rugby history. The EWT Truckies triumphed over Consort Awi’s 3–1 to take home the General Managers Cup, while the JVPS Crushers secured a narrow 1–0 victory against Swire Taikoo to win the Managers Cup.

In the Men’s Rugby Union Tournament, the PPP Landlords dethroned reigning champions PacTow Tuggers 17–7 to claim the Managing Director’s Cup. The Grand Eagles outpaced Ela Dolphins to win the General Managers Cup, and the Gateway Sharks proved dominant with a 17–5 victory over MEA Stallions to secure the Managers Cup.

A huge congratulations to all teams for their outstanding performances and sportsmanship throughout the tournament!

08/10/2025

Fire Prevention Week

This week, as the world commemorates Fire Prevention Week, Steamships is proud to spotlight our unwavering commitment to Fire Safety & Prevention.

At Steamships, we believe that prevention is the best protection. That’s why our approach goes beyond reactive measures, one of which being emergency preparedness.

Emergency Preparedness is a proactive step in reinforcing our safety culture and ensuring our teams are equipped to respond swiftly and effectively in the event of a fire. This is shown through mock fire evacuation drills, fire warden training programs, employee & tenant basic fire extinguisher trainings & partnership with first responders.

We acknowledge and thank the PNG Fire Service, St John Ambulance, and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary for their continued support and collaboration in keeping our workplaces safe.

This week serves as a reminder that fire safety is everyone’s responsibility, and it starts with being prepared. Let’s continue to build a culture where safety isn’t just a priority, it’s a way of life.

06/10/2025

Steamships was honoured to be a supporting sponsor of the Third National Climate Change Summit held in Port Moresby, hosted by the Climate Change and Development Authority.

Ahead of the summit, Steamships participated in the Pre-Summit Primary Schools event (30 September) at Sir John Guise Stadium, an inspiring showcase of student-led climate-smart innovations. It was a powerful reminder of the role young people play in building resilient communities.

From 1–2 October, the Summit united voices from government, business, civil society, and academia to explore responses to climate change and chart a path forward, while emphasizing Papua New Guinea’s leadership in climate action. Key achievements included amendments to the Climate Change Management Act and the integration of climate policies across various sectors.

The summit highlighted the urgency of climate action, climate justice, and inclusion, with a focus on youth innovation and vulnerable groups. Discussions covered renewable energy, sustainable forest management, and green finance. The summit reaffirmed PNG's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 and emphasized the importance of partnerships between government, private sector, and civil society.

Steamships is grateful to collaborate with partners driving climate resilience and inclusive growth in Papua New Guinea.
We look forward to the next summit, scheduled for March 2027 in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.

03/10/2025

Steamships Ltd., on behalf of John Swire & Sons (JS&S), officially handed over a new classroom building to Yanga Elementary School in Lae on 22 August 2025. The second classroom was presented to the School Board during a ceremony attended by students, parents, teachers and community members.

The milestone marks continued investment in rural education infrastructure, made possible through the Swire Philanthropic Fund (SPF). JS&S, a privately held UK-based company, has longstanding ties to Papua New Guinea through Swire Shipping, which operates nationwide, and as a major shareholder in Steamships for more than 50 years. The SPF supports education projects across the country and is administered locally by Steamships.

Steamships Managing Director Chris Daniells underscored the importance of investing in communities that underpin the company’s success.

“At Steamships, we recognise that sustainable progress begins with education. Our people are our greatest asset, and many of them come from communities like Yanga. Supporting local schools not only helps build a pipeline of future talent but also strengthens communities that have helped our business thrive,” Daniells said.

Yanga Elementary School was chosen for investment because many employees from Steamships’ operating companies —
Consort Express Lines and — come from the Yanga, Sipaia and Wanang communities. The project responds directly to community-identified needs and reflects Steamships’ approach to inclusive, locally driven development.

The new classroom, valued at approximately PGK200,000, is a prefabricated steel building equipped with student and teacher furniture, blackboards, pinboards and other facilities. It is the second classroom delivered to the school under a two-year partnership aligned with the School’s Learning Improvement Plan (SLIP). Since 2024, PGK400,000 has been invested in the school.

The initiative supports key goals of Papua New Guinea’s National Education Plan 2021–2029 and Medium-Term Development Plan IV, reinforcing the government’s priorities for educational infrastructure and improved learning environments.

As the classrooms open their doors, Steamships and Swire encouraged the school community to take pride in the facilities and ensure they benefit generations of learners to come.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀, 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗬𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

Steamships Ltd., on behalf of John Swire & Sons, has handed over a new classroom building to Yanga Elementary School in Lae, marking continued investment in rural education through the Swire Philanthropic Fund. The project, worth PGK200,000, strengthens community ties and supports PNG’s National Education Plan.

A classroom built today, a future shaped tomorrow — see how Yanga students are learning in new spaces: https://www.pngbusinessnews.com/articles/2025/10/stronger-classrooms-stronger-communities-yanga-school-grows-with-swire-and-steamships-support

03/10/2025

This week, 10 of our grads completed the Graduate Leadership Development Program (GLDP)

The GLDP is a structured program covering three key modules designed to have practical applications in both the professional and personal lives of graduates.

Some insights and learnings from one of our superstars Nathaniel below.

Some of the things learnt included:

1. Self Awareness – Explored learning styles, self-leadership, personality types (MBTI), leadership styles, growth mindset, and delivering feedback.

2. Communication & Personal Excellence – Focused on “you at your best,” diving into motivations, values, boundaries, strengths, communication, conversation, and feedback.

3. Managing Emotions – Centered on Emotional Intelligence, understanding emotions, the brain, how patterns build beliefs, changing perspectives, and managing emotions effectively.

The skills and knowledge gained are tools I will continue to reflect on, refine, and implement throughout my personal and professional growth. For those who know me—bear with me, I’m still learning! 😂

Five key takeaways from this journey:

1. ✝️ Prayer changes perspective
2. 🙏🏽 Gratitude builds humility
3. 🥳 Celebrate your small wins (in a way that works for you)
4. 🗣️ Feedback is a skill
5. ⏸️ PAUSE

Remember: Progress > Perfection.

I’m grateful for this learning experience and excited for more opportunities to grow.

Question for you: If you could master one skill from these modules instantly, which would it be—and why❓

29/09/2025

Do you remember the Bikpela Pig? Jumbo the elephant stole the spotlight at the 1973 Mount Hagen show.

The only means of transporting Jumbo from Brisbane to Lae was by sea. Steamships became involved, as agents for NGAL - New Guinea Australia Line. Jumbo travelled to Lae in the NGAL vessel, Island Chief. The vessel arrived off Lae on the evening of 20 July 1973.

Jumbo was lifted onto the wharf in a giant cargo sling. She stood, swaying gracefully, for many minutes while she recovered her land legs.

The villagers never tired of watching her, all day long and into the nights, wondering whether it would be possible to build garden fences strong enough to keep out what they believed must be a strange new species of monster pig.

A group of elders was overheard, pondering the difficulties of butchering and cooking such a colossal beast. What a horrible amount of work would be required to dig a big enough earth oven!

26/09/2025

Steamships Support PNG Artists Return Home

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea –In a landmark moment of cultural reconnection and national pride, Returning Home, an art exhibition and programme, takes centre stage in Harbourside South, in line with the celebration of Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

Steamships, with Pacific Palms Property is proud to bring home five Papua New Guinean artists, showcasing their work in country for the first time paying tribute to heritage, resilience, identity and culture. The exhibition and week-long creative programme offered workshops, talks, and networking opportunities features the work of , , , and .

“Our connection to culture is something we deeply value. At Steamships, we often say that we don’t just do business in PNG, it’s our home. That belief is at the heart of everything we do. Supporting local communities, talent, and creativity is a core part of our commitment to Papua New Guinea. That’s why it was only fitting for us to partner with these incredibly gifted Papua New Guinean artists, to celebrate and elevate their work, and to share their creativity with the wider community we proudly call home.” Said Ruth Kissam, Corporate Affairs General Manager at Steamships.


This initiative promises to leave a lasting legacy across cultural, community, and economic dimensions, from revitalizing creative energy to fostering cultural pride, and inspiring the art community both emerging and established.

“Returning Home has been a pivotal moment for us as artists — a chance to share our art, experiences, and skills with the wider creative community. The overwhelming response has been deeply humbling, affirming the power of creativity not only to connect and inspire, but to actively contribute to nation building, shaping identity, strengthening pride, and envisioning the future we wish to create together using art as a critical conduit” says Grace Hasu Dlabik artist and Director of BE. ONE CREATIVE.

As Papua New Guinea stands at a moment of national reflection and pride, Returning Home affirms the power of art to connect, heal, and celebrate. This unprecedented exhibition is a beacon for cultural continuity, artistic evolution, and shared identity, inviting all to witness, participate, and be moved.

The Exhibition Returning Home was extended and open to the public until 23rd October at , Port Moresby.

25/09/2025

🌊 World Maritime Day 2025: Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity

This year's theme reminds us of the ocean's central role. For those who work at sea every day, it also carries personal meaning shaped by the responsibility, and opportunities the ocean provides.

At Consort Express Lines, we navigate Papua New Guinea's domestic shipping lanes, through the safe and reliable transport of goods. At Pacific Towing, we provide essential marine services in the Pacific region, supporting safe and efficient maritime operations.

Today, on World Maritime Day, we honour our seafarers who dedicate their lives to the ocean. ⚓🚢💙

22/09/2025

We used to be bakers.

In 1927, Steamships had become managing agents for Acme Bakery, the largest in Port Moresby.

Captain Fitch and P.J. McDonald were the main shareholders in Acme, and eventually Steamships bought them out and became sole owner.

Another bakery was set up in Hanuabada, which also did well. Depression or not, people still had to eat bread.

Acme Bakery was fortunate in possessing an outstanding baker, who was also an expert chef. Muc Sing was a Cantonese, a rarity in Papua at that time. He had originally come to Port Moresby as cook on the Papuan Chief, before starting Acme Bakery for Fitch and McDonald. Muc Sing was a highly respected citizen of Port Moresby. He sold his bread for sixpence a loaf, from the back of an open Ford Model T truck in the town streets.

At that time, water was very scarce in Port Moresby. Although he was considered to be something of a genius in the art of creating a crisp loaf of bread, not even Muc Sing could bake without water. It is said that Steamships solved the problem by pumping water from the Hanuabada village well.

Our Coral Sea Hotels bakers at the Bakery and Deli carries on the legacy of Acme and Chef Muc Sing.