Moving Cargo from Port Moresby to Lae and the Highlands: Your Routing Options
There’s no road between Port Moresby and Lae, so cargo that lands in the capital but is needed inland has to travel on by sea or air. Here’s how each option works, what it costs in time and money, and how to avoid the problem next time.
In this guide
- Port Moresby has no road link to Lae or the Highlands. The options are sea or air.
- Sea suits containers and heavy cargo; air suits small, urgent or high-value items.
- Every extra leg adds handling, charges, time and risk.
- The best fix is upstream: route Highlands cargo into Lae from origin.
How cargo ends up in the wrong port
It happens more often than it should. Common causes include:
- a supplier or forwarder quoting only to Port Moresby;
- consolidated LCL services that only run to the capital;
- an order shipped to the buyer’s head office address rather than the site;
- a project changing its delivery location after the goods were booked;
- urgent air freight that naturally arrives through Jacksons International Airport.
Whatever the cause, the cargo now needs a second journey. The two realistic options are sea and air.
Option 1: by sea
Coastal operators and some international rotations connect Port Moresby and Lae. The voyage itself is relatively short, but the total time depends on when the next suitable sailing departs, plus handling at both ends.
Sea is the economical choice for full containers, heavy machinery and bulky cargo. Expect to pay coastal freight, port and terminal charges in both ports, and stevedoring, and allow for the extra handling that comes with any transhipment.
In most cases, the cargo is cleared through customs in Port Moresby before it moves on a domestic vessel. Ask your broker and forwarder how they’ll manage the transfer and who is responsible at each stage.
Option 2: by air
Domestic air freight from Jacksons to Nadzab, for Lae, or directly to Highlands airports such as Mount Hagen, is the fastest option. It’s charged by weight or volume, whichever is greater, and limited by the size of the aircraft and its cargo door.
Air makes sense for spare parts, medical supplies, electronics and other small, urgent or high-value items. For anything large or heavy, the cost quickly becomes hard to justify unless a site is shut down waiting for it.
Costs to budget for
The second leg rarely costs only its freight. When you compare options, include:
- port, terminal and stevedoring charges in Port Moresby for the outbound domestic leg;
- coastal freight or domestic air freight;
- port or airport handling charges on arrival in Lae or the Highlands;
- extra container detention while the box makes the additional journey, or the cost of unpacking and repacking;
- local transport at both ends;
- insurance for the additional leg.
Once these are added up, the second leg can cost a meaningful share of the original ocean freight, which is why avoiding it in the first place is usually worth the effort.
Managing risk on the second leg
Every extra handling point is another chance for damage, loss or delay. A few precautions help:
- check that your marine insurance extends to the domestic leg, or arrange cover for it;
- pack for repeated handling, with strong outer packaging, bracing and clear marks;
- keep seals intact where possible and record seal numbers at each hand-over;
- agree who is responsible for the cargo at each stage, and get proof of delivery at each point.
Comparing the options
| Factor | Sea | Air |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Containers, machinery, bulk and heavy cargo | Small, urgent or high-value items |
| Speed | Days, depending on sailing schedules | Fastest, subject to flight space |
| Cost | Lower per tonne, plus port charges at both ends | High per kilogram |
| Size limits | Few, with suitable vessels | Set by aircraft payload and door size |
| Handling | Port handling at both ends | Airport handling at both ends |
Don’t forget the road leg
Getting to Lae is only part of the trip for Highlands cargo. From Lae, freight travels up the Highlands Highway, so the same planning around road conditions, security and transit time applies. Air freight into a Highlands airport still needs local transport from the airstrip to the site.
Go deeper
Avoiding the double handling next time
- Name Lae, or the right port for the site, as the port of discharge on purchase orders and in your Incoterms, for example CIF Lae.
- Ask suppliers and forwarders which services call directly at Lae from your origin.
- Request a bill of lading through to the port your cargo actually needs.
- Split mixed orders at origin so each part is consigned to the right port.
- For regular mixed volumes, consider consolidating in Lae, which serves both the Highlands and outbound coastal routes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to ship cargo from Port Moresby to Lae?
The sea voyage is short, but the total time depends on sailing schedules, port handling and clearance. Ask your forwarder for current coastal sailings.
Is it cheaper to send cargo from Port Moresby to Lae by sea or air?
Sea is far cheaper for containers and heavy cargo. Air is usually only economic for small, urgent or high-value items.
Do I need to clear customs again in Lae?
Generally no. Imported cargo is normally cleared at its first port of entry, then moves on as domestic cargo. Confirm the arrangements with your customs broker.
Can I avoid this problem altogether?
Usually, yes. Make sure the right port of discharge is specified when you buy and book, and use services that call directly at Lae for Highlands cargo.
More on ports and inland logistics
Sources
Philip Thomas
Philip is the lead author and editor at Phantom8. He writes practical guides to shipping freight into Papua New Guinea, with a focus on choosing the right port, clearing customs and planning the inland leg.
General information only. This guide is general in nature and isn’t legal, customs or logistics advice for your specific shipment. Port operations, road conditions, schedules and charges change, so confirm the details with your freight forwarder, transport operator or the relevant authority before you ship.