Our History
South Sea Lines started life as wholly owned subsidiary of Lae Builders and Construction.
Its primary purpose was to transport equipment and machinery to distant and remote areas where construction work was to be carried out. The vessels were also used to transport log and timber from forestry areas back to their Lae sawmill. The vessels used were tug and barge combinations.
In 2010 negotiations commenced with Bacasa Ltd, a Lihir Landowner Company. The end result of these negotiations was the sale of 51% of the company to Bacasa. In early 2015, Bacasa purchased the 49% shareholding held by LBC. In late 2015 MRL Capital purchased all of the assets of Bacasa including South Sea Lines.
Our Location
SSL own the site they operate from at the end of Speybank Street that was previously used by Moorehead Shipping. This gives the company the freedom to operate its own wharves and not come under the jurisdiction of PNG Ports.
Our Site Upgrade
There has been considerable investment to the site which is ongoing, these improvements include an 1800 square metre warehouse which enables us to safely receive, store and consolidate freight prior to shipment. There are power points attached to the warehouse for keeping refrigerated containers on power prior to shipment.
Equipment
We utilise a 150 Tonne crawler crane as well as a mobile 60 Tonne crane for loading and unloading vessels. For container movements we have a container top loader capable of handling 40 foot containers a 25 tonne forklift and a 10 tonne forklift for moving empties. For warehouse and lighter work we have a fleet of 2.5 and 3.0 tonne forklifts.
Our Vessels
Currently SSL operate a fleet of 3 Tug and Barge combinations and the LCT Lihir Destiny. We are also sailing twice a month with one of the combinations to the ports of Finschhafen, Wasu and Siassi, the exact port calls is dependent on cargo volume and other ports such as Kandrian can be included on inducement.
Occupational Health & Safety
Health and safety is of enormous importance to SSL and we are part way through a total review and update of facets of our operations that relate to OHSE.
A new OHSE Manager with extensive mine site and transport experience was recruited with the objective being to review and improve they OHSE systems, documentation, procedures and performance of South Sea Lines.
Our prime objective is to ensure that all SSL employees can work in a safe environment in safe manner where all hazards have been identified and wherever possible removed. we are expected to meet if not exceed all safety requirements of all customers and or contractors that we have dealings with. SSL have recently achieved 450 days since Lost Time injury, obviously we want to keep this run going as long as possible.