SPICT starts bulk coffee operations

South Pacific International Container Terminal (SPICT) in Lae, Papua New Guinea recently handled its first delivery of coffee bags following the recent opening of its coffee bulking facility.

SPICT took delivery of 320 bags of green coffee beans from Monpi Coffee Exports Ltd, one of the country’s major coffee producers and the first to avail of SPICT’s newest service offering. The shipment was bound for export to Melbourne, Australia.

“We thank Monpi Coffee Exports for trusting SPICT to handle their valuable commodity,” said Robert Maxwell, SPICT chief executive officer. “After almost a year of securing the necessary permits from state regulators and consultation with coffee experts across the country, we are now ready to provide the highest level of service to PNG’s coffee industry.”

SPICT’s coffee bulking facility offers a 2,000 sq m fully equipped warehouse manned by a specialised team dedicated to coffee handling and storage operations. The warehouse is compliant with all the requirements set by Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC), which regulates the coffee industry. SPICT assures customers of readily available containers from all shipping lines, as well as zero risk of missed sailings for shipments approved by the CIC and other concerned agencies.

“Opening the coffee bulking facility is one of our major accomplishments for this year,” added Maxwell. “Having a young and capable team, along with ICTSI’s cargo-handling expertise, we look forward to helping PNG’s coffee industry grow by helping exporters capitalise on opportunities from the increasing global demand for coffee.”

Coffee production is one of PNG’s major industries and provides income to more than three million Papua New Guineans. Majority of the country’s coffee production is centred on Arabica and Robusta, and around 99.9% of PNG’s coffee is exported as green beans. The country’s coffee trade is well positioned to benefit from new market opportunities.

SPICT enjoys exceptional connectivity with the Morobe and the Highlands region, which accounts for more than 90% of the country’s coffee production. A key trade facilitator and the largest container handling facility in PNG, SPICT continues to set the standard for port operations in the country and looks to establish itself as the premiere gateway for PNG’s coffee trade.