PNG is among ASEAN countries facing maritime threats

Papua New Guinea is among the ASEAN countries that continue to face numerous threats from piracy, hijacking, armed robbery and regional conflict in the waters that continue to hamper the freedom of navigation and fishing activities of local people.

The ASEAN Third Regional Forum on Maritime Security, which this week focused on international shipping and port facilities, highlighted several challenges related to the disruption of the free and open trade chain worldwide, especially when it comes to international trade.

However, new threats continue to emerge across the Indo-Pacific, requiring greater efforts by flagship countries and country authorities to work together to combat illegal activities at sea.

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Walter Schnaubelt said that the use of means of transport by terrorists as weapons of mass destruction, as evidenced by the recent tragic event in India, and the ongoing hijackings of ships by Somali pirates, reminds us of the importance of developing preventive measures. to mitigate such threats and minimize the use of ships as a weapon to sabotage and cripple our economies and livelihoods.

Maritime transport infrastructure underpins international trade and enables the movement of people, goods and services across borders, on which PNG in particular is heavily dependent for the import and export of 95% of its goods.