PNG Frequently Asked Questions via Papua New Guinea [ Home Page | Family Index | PNG Index | Site Map ]

Please note -- Whilst all care has been taken in preparing and maintaining the FAQ's about Papua New Guinea it is not possible to be able verify every answer. The information is provided 'as is' and I can not accept responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from the use of this information.

Please verify the information for yourself from a government source, travel agent or other similar organisation.

This database does not contain information about other countries. - It is only about Papua New Guinea (PNG).

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Transportation - General     List of Categories
Do you have a possible inclusion for the Transportation category of the PNG FAQ's? If you do then please let me know.

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• Where is the Trans-Highlands Highway?
  
  
• How many road accidents are there in PNG?
  
  
• What is the Herstein?
  
  
• What is the MV Madang Coast?
  
  
• Can I hire a boat in PNG?
  
  
• When did the MV San Pedro sink?
  
  
• When did the MV Sealark sink?
  
  
• How much does a used car cost?
  
  
• How do I get a class 5 drivers licence?
  
  
• Car Hire?
  
  
• Was the Monotoro sunk during the 2nd world war?
  
  
• What was the Malaita?
  
  
• Do you know the web site for any of the motor car dealers in PNG?
  
  
• How much does a used car cost?
  
  
• Are there Jeepenys in PNG?
  
  
• Has PNG ever had buses bigger than the 25 seater buses currently in service as Public Motor Vehicles (PMVs)?
  
  
• Are there any motor sports clubs in Port Moresby?
  
  
• What is the combined length of all highways in PNG?
  
  
• What length of all the combined highways has been sealed?
  
  
• When was the Poreporena Highway opened in Port Moresby?
  
  
• Where is snake road?
  
  
• What is the length of PNG waterways?
  
  
• Are there any railways in PNG?
  
  
• could you please send me information about car dealers in port moresby or how can we buy a car in port moresby? thanks
  
  
• what is the max altitude of roads in PNG. What is the maximum gradient of roads in PNG?
  
  
• where could i hire a guide for us to sail up the Sepic river in PNG?
  thanks
  
  
• What are some of the names of the sea ports in New Guinea?
  
  
• What are the costs / possibilities of travelling by cargo boat to Oro Bay?
  
  
• could have the info regarding custom duties for various products for importing. (your website is really a lot helpfull thanks for ur work)
  
  
• What is the total vehicle population in PNG? Can I get the break-up into trucks, buses, other commercial vehicles, cars and 2 wheelers?
  
  
• What is the current cost of a liter of perotl in Mt. Hagen?
  
  
• What is a Lagatoi (lakatoi)?
  
  
• What is a Hiri Hanenamo?
  
  
• How is the Hiri Hanenamo Queen chosen?
  
  
• What was the traditional name of the chopsticks used by Motuan woman to eat whilst their husbands were away on the Hiri?
  
  
• When was the last true Lagatoi trading trip?
  
  
• What was traded on a traditional trip by the Motuan Lagatoi?
  
  
• How long did a traditional Lagatoi trip take?
  
  
• Is the condition of the roads good in PNG?
  
  
• What was the name of the ship that helped to evacuate Rabaul before the Japanese captured the port in WWII?
  
  

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• Where is the Trans-Highlands Highway?
  
  The Trans-Highlands Highway connects Port Moresby and Gulf Province.
  
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• How many road accidents are there in PNG?
  
  Good question, I don't think anyone would knowthe real answer to that. However in 2003 there were 1110 vehicle accidents reported with 301 of those involving Public Motor Vehicles (PMV's)
  
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• What is the Herstein?
  
  The MS Herstein was a Norwegian merchant ship sent to Rabaul durng WWII to be loaded with copra and then return to Australia.
  It arrived at Rabaul on the 19th of January 1942 and was attacked by Japanese bombers the following morning. It was hit repeatedly by dive-bombers and set on fire.
  Some of the crew managed to escape from Rabaul The rest of Herstein's crew members were taken prisoners by the Japanese. On July 1-1942 they were under transport on the prisoner ship Montevideo Maru, when that ship was torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine Sturgeon (SS-187), about 65 miles west off Cape Bojeador, Luzon, 18 37N, 119 29E. All on board died, incl. about 1,050 allied POWs en route to Hainan Island.
  
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• What is the MV Madang Coast?
  
  It is the latest vessel for Consort Express Lines Ltd. It was delivered from the Caribbean to Lae with a 100 per cent complement of Papua New Guinean officers and crew.
  
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• Can I hire a boat in PNG?
  
  Yes, you can hire / rent a boat. What size are you after?
  It may be cheaper to buy one and sell it later.
  
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• When did the MV San Pedro sink?
  
  The 718-tonne MV San Pedro sank in August 2008 off the Aroma Coast near Wairavanua in Central province.
  
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• When did the MV Sealark sink?
  
  It sunk after a fire onboard in April 2006
  
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• How much does a used car cost?
  
  A difficult question to answer simply because as in most countries it is a case of supply and demand and how much a buyer wants to buy a car for. I am sure you could find a car for under K1000 but it is a question of whether you would be able to drive it more than a couple of hundred metres before being arrested.
  If you are a capable mechanic then I am sure you would buy a cheap car and maintain it but someone without mechanical experience would want to pay more for a reliable car.
  Also what type of car - 2 door 4 cylinder 'toy' car or V12 luxury vehicle?
  
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• How do I get a class 5 drivers licence?
  
  Is that a motorcycle licence?
  
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• Car Hire?
  
  Try the usual companies such as Avis, Budget, Thrifty etc. Search the Internet.
  
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• Was the Monotoro sunk during the 2nd world war?
  
  The SS Montoro, a steel, screw steamship of 4,057 gross tons, 2500 net; built by the Clyde Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. Ltd. at Port Glasgow, in 1911, for Burns, Philp and Co. of Sydney was sunk while bunkering fuel but was raised and continued in the New Guinea service after the war until sold in 1948.
  
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• What was the Malaita?
  
  The Malaita built by Barclay Curie at Glasgow in 1933, for Burns Philp, was a motorship of 3,310 gross tons, 1833 net 3530 deadweight. She was almost cut in half by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine on the 29th of August 1942 three miles from Port Morebsy.
  
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• Do you know the web site for any of the motor car dealers in PNG?
  
  New and secondhand automotive dealers

  PNG Motors -- http://www.pngmotors.kenmore.com.pg

  Boroko Motors -- http://www.borokomotors.com.pg

  Ela Motors -- http://www.elamotors.com.pg

  Secondhand dealers Freeway Motors
  Reliance Motors also sells a large number of secndhand vehicles

  
  
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• How much does a used car cost?
  
  Upwards of K500. How much do you want to pay? What sort of condition? Where do you expect to drive it? Do you want a BMW, Mercedes, or just a cheap, old, 4 cylinder Japanese vehicle almost at the end of its life? If I give you a figure it is going to be wrong becuase I have no idea waht type of vehicle you are really after.
  
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• Are there Jeepenys in PNG?
  
  Yes, there are currently four on trial in the country but it is not known how the trials are going as at August 2005.
  It appears that one is now travelliong the streets of Port Moresby on a regular basis picking up passengers (April 2006)
  
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• Has PNG ever had buses bigger than the 25 seater buses currently in service as Public Motor Vehicles (PMVs)?
  
  Up until early in 1980 the Port Moresby Bus Service operated buses capable of carrying a lot more than the 48 - 50 that they were licenced to seat. The company couldn't turn a profit and went out of business rapidly being replaced with 24 - 25 seat buses. (Most PMV's at this stage were 15 seaters but operators quickly changed to bigger buses to cater for the demise of the bus service)
  
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• Are there any motor sports clubs in Port Moresby?
  
  Yes the South Pacific Car Club (South Pacific Motor Sports Club) used to regularly holds speedway events at the old Moitaka showgrounds just outside Port Moresby. The club used to host the PNG Independence Safari that saw rally champions such as Ross Dunkerton, Colin Bond, and Andrew Cowan competing in the event. Visit the SPMSC web soite for further info about the club -- http://www.spmsc.org.pg
  
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• What is the combined length of all highways in PNG?
  
  The combined length of all highways in PNG has been estimated to be just under 20,000 kilometres.
  
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• What length of all the combined highways has been sealed?
  
  A little bit under 700 kilomteres has been sealed and some of that is rapidly returning to gravel and pot holes due to lack of money for maintenance.
  
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• When was the Poreporena Highway opened in Port Moresby?
  
  It was opened on the 7th of April 1998 at a cost of K118 million by Curtain Brothers, Australia. A safety audit identified 63 faults in the unopened road, which stretches from Seven-Mile to Town (Port Moresby). It was estimated at the time that the faults would cost another K10 million to fix. Some of them have been fixed but it would appear that others are still outstanding. (August 2009)
  
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• Where is snake road?
  
  This is probably the road from Port Moresby to Sogeri built by the Australians to allow supplies and vehicles access as far as possible. Built along the curving foothills and moutainside, the road weaves back and around itself, thus nicknamed "Snake Road".
  
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• What is the length of PNG waterways?
  
  Approximately 11,000 kilometres.
  
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• Are there any railways in PNG?
  
  No - but there have been small railways and tramways set up in the past along wharves and in coffee and copra plantations for the movement of agricutural products and unloading ships etc.
  
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• could you please send me information about car dealers in port moresby or how can we buy a car in port moresby? thanks
  
  I think it is best to come and see what is available. Many cars are on the market for a short time only. There are new car dealers, second hand imports from Japan and second hand (local) car sales to choose from. It is also a good idea to inspect the quality of the roads before making a decision on buying a car.
  

  The following are the only two web sites I know about

  Toyota -- http://www.elamotors.com.pg which is a good site and the Nissan, Mitsubishi, Kia, Mercedes, -- http://www.borokomotors.com.pg/ is not realy active but it does have an email address info@borokomotors.com.pg

  
  
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• what is the max altitude of roads in PNG. What is the maximum gradient of roads in PNG?
  
  Good question. I wish I could answer that but I can't. I will throw it over to the readers just in case someone knows.
  
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• where could i hire a guide for us to sail up the Sepic river in PNG?
  thanks
  
  Contact -- http://pngbd.com/contact.php -- they will be able to point you in the right direction.
  
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• What are some of the names of the sea ports in New Guinea?
  
  Some of the seaports in PNG are - Port Moresby, Lae, Rabaul, Kimbe, Madang, Wewak, Alotau. There are other ports as well but these are some of the main ones.
  
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• What are the costs / possibilities of travelling by cargo boat to Oro Bay?
  
  There are possibilities but where would you be leaving from? I know that people get from Moresby to Alotau without problems.
  
  Try contacting some of the shipping companies. for example -
  - http://www.aalpas.com.pg -- Austral Asia Line Project Asia Service.
  http://www.newguineapacificline.com -- New Guinea Pacific Line
  http://www.steamships.com.pg -- Steamships Shipping Agencies
  
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• could have the info regarding custom duties for various products for importing. (your website is really a lot helpfull thanks for ur work)
  
  Difficult to answer, most products attract a 10% levy. Video Recorders, TV and some other electrial (but not all) items attract a bigger fee.
  
  Generally 10% is a good figure to work on..
  
  What specific item/s did you have in mind?
  
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• What is the total vehicle population in PNG? Can I get the break-up into trucks, buses, other commercial vehicles, cars and 2 wheelers?
  
  Can any reader help? A call to MVIL produced nothing.
  
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• What is the current cost of a liter of perotl in Mt. Hagen?
  
  I am not sure. The PNG Government has just announced that they will reduce the excise on fuel to help ease the pain of filling a vehicle from the 1st of September 2008.
  A litre of petrol is just under K5.00
  I am not sure where you are located so you will need to investigate the value of your local currency to the Kina. Within PNG One Kina = 0.3638 US Dollars and 0.3748 Australian Dollars but this varies on a daily basis so check your local exchange rates.
  
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• What is a Lagatoi (lakatoi)?
  
  A lagatoi or multi-hulled canoe was used to sail from Motuan villages to the Gulf region and back. The trip and subsequent trips were necessary, as traditionally during these times there was usually a drought along the Motuan coastline. The return trip brought a bountiful of sago to last throughout this drought.
  
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• What is a Hiri Hanenamo?
  
  A Hanenamo is a young woman who display the right attitude, manners and behaviour and whose charactor is respecful of the title. She observes the rules, norms and laws of her society bringing happiness to her family.
  
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• How is the Hiri Hanenamo Queen chosen?
  
  Traditioanlly the Hiri Hanenamo is not attributed to beauty alone, beauty is just one aspect. Elegance and grace in carrying out duties and during performances is also considered. A young girl is declared Hiri Hanenamo if she can display the appropriate traditional qualities to the judges. Authencity of tattoo designs, bodily decoration and ornaments according to the background of the woman's village is also taken into account.
  
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• What was the traditional name of the chopsticks used by Motuan woman to eat whilst their husbands were away on the Hiri?
  
  The chopsticks were called diniga and the young women could only eat vegetables.
  
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• When was the last true Lagatoi trading trip?
  
  The last of such trading trips was in the late 1950's where a Lagatoi sank just off the coast of Boera village. Several lives were lost in this mishap.
  
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• What was traded on a traditional trip by the Motuan Lagatoi?
  
  Toea (Motuan shell money) and
  Sago (Main item) + betelnuts by Gulf villagers additional items includes logs for the Lagatoi's.
  
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• How long did a traditional Lagatoi trip take?
  
  The trip may take a week to travel (Eastwards) and then take two to three months before returning - due to repair or building of additional hulls to cater for additional cargo. The sailers also had to wait for the wind direction to change on the return journey.
  
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• Is the condition of the roads good in PNG?
  
  A quick answer would be no. Many roads have been left without maintenance for many years. Other roads are patched using gravel which quickly washes out when it rains.
  Port Moresby has a good highway going from the downtown area to the Airport and Parliament house.
  
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• What was the name of the ship that helped to evacuate Rabaul before the Japanese captured the port in WWII?
  
  This was the Bulolo built in 1938 for Burns Philp & Co., Ltd., Sydney, by Barclay, Curie & Co., Ltd., Glasgow.
  
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Created 1 May 2002
Updated 9 Sep 2009