Port Moresby to Lae, by sea — for the first time in almost twenty years.
Nesian Shipping Services Limited is bringing a fast, affordable Ro‑Pax ferry back to Papua New Guinea's busiest domestic corridor — carrying passengers, vehicles and cargo overnight, drive‑on to drive‑off.
Flying is the only option today — and it isn't enough.
Air Niugini and PNG Air fly the Port Moresby–Lae corridor daily, but demand consistently outpaces the seats and cargo hold space on offer. For a country whose regions depend on this route, that gap is felt in every household and business along it.
- 01Frequent flight delays disrupt travel plans and connections to international and other domestic flights.
- 02Domestic terminals in POM and Lae are regularly overcrowded, with long queues and bumped passengers.
- 03Cargo space is limited — high‑value and perishable goods routinely miss the flight, or never fit.
The corridor, today
A Ro‑Pax service, built for how PNG actually moves goods and people.
"Ro‑Pax" — roll-on/roll-off passenger — means vehicles and cargo drive straight onto the vessel and straight off at the destination port. No transhipment, no repacking, no missed connections.
Drive‑on, drive‑off cargo
Businesses and farmers load their own trucks and drive straight out at the destination port — no unloading delays at either end.
Lower fares, more capacity
Fares from PGK 350 and far more hold space than any aircraft, at a fraction of air cargo cost per kilo.
Comfortable overnight journey
Reclining seating across three classes, onboard cafeteria and entertainment for the 18–22 hour crossing.
Convenient ticketing
Book online, or in person through agents such as Stop 'N' Shop and Post PNG outlets across the country.
Alcohol‑free cafeteria
A family cafeteria with a variety of food and drink options, under a strict no‑alcohol policy onboard.
Onboard entertainment
TV, movies and sports channels throughout the vessel to make the crossing part of the journey, not just transit.
Three classes, one crossing.
All fares are inclusive of GST. 900 comfortable seats across the vessel, with 30 kg of luggage allowed per passenger.
Premier includes extra legroom and priority boarding; 1st Class — Business adds premium cabin seating and priority luggage handling. All classes include cafeteria and entertainment access.
260 vehicles, or general and perishable cargo — per sailing.
General cargo, high-value goods and perishables are all accepted, with dedicated space kept clear of passenger and corporate cargo areas.
per passenger, included in fare — additional charges apply for extra weight.
Port Moresby to Lae in under a day — not five to seven.
The same shipping lane used by every vessel on this coast, run at speed. What currently takes cargo ships five to seven days takes the ferry less than twenty‑four hours.
A proven high‑speed hull, soon to sail as the Spirit of Papua.
Our reference vessel has spent 24 years navigating the Pacific and Mediterranean, including PNG's demanding sea conditions. It is currently in service out of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands, where our consulting engineer inspected it directly.
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Length95m
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Cruising speed38 knots
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Max speed (lightship)46 knots
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Design lifespan50 years
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Current age24 years
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CertificationSpanish maritime standard
Safety at sea
Designed to withstand challenging sea conditions, having already navigated the Pacific and Mediterranean. In extreme weather, we prioritise safety over sailing — with refunds or accommodation provided for delays over six hours.
Maintenance & contingency
Daily checks by crew and engineers, full vessel and crew insurance with PNG insurers, and a backup vessel planned within 24 months of launch to keep the service running uninterrupted.
Onboard & boarding security
More access to organic food reflects a healthier population.
Faster, cheaper freight between the coast and the capital means farmers, fishermen and small traders can reach bigger markets, sell fresher, and earn more — without waiting on limited air cargo space.
"Our future economic growth doesn't have to rely on overseas grants, loans and assistance. We can grow our economy domestically by providing infrastructure for our agriculture and fishing industry."
Market access
Farmers and fishermen reach buyers well beyond roadside sales at the village and district level.
Village & district reach
Produce moves from remote growing areas to the capital's markets faster and in better condition.
Agriculture boost
A faster farm‑to‑shop turnaround for cash crops, coffee, cacao and fresh produce alike.
Aquaculture benefits
Fresh seafood reaches customers in less time, with the cargo capacity air transport can't match.
PNG has told us it wants this service.
We ran an open survey across Facebook, WhatsApp and SurveyMonkey, reaching a combined audience of over 130,000 people across our platforms, to test appetite for a passenger ferry between Port Moresby and Lae.
Five commitments behind every sailing.
Economic growth
Facilitating efficient, cost‑effective shipping solutions across PNG.
Local business support
Improved maritime connectivity that helps PNG businesses trade and grow.
Grassroots empowerment
Better access to maritime transport for everyday communities.
National development
Integrating maritime infrastructure with PNG's other transport modes.
Sustainable practice
Protecting the marine environment for the generations that follow.
Phase 1 is the beginning of a wider coastal network.
Port Moresby–Lae comes first. It lays the groundwork for connecting more of PNG's unconnected coast and maritime islands to bigger markets — and, eventually, to markets beyond PNG.
Interconnecting local markets
Extending cargo and passenger ferry services to remote coastal districts and maritime islands currently unserved by regular transport.
Opening the door to world markets
A weekly Ro‑Pax service linking Motukea (Port Moresby) directly to Cairns, Australia — carrying PNG's coffee, cacao, seafood and produce to export markets.