Chapman Freeborn to move LNG cargo

Partnership with Air Niugini

 

By YEHIURA HRIEHWAZI in Brisbane

 

ONE of the world’s largest air chartering companies, Chapman Freeborn, has entered into partnership with the national flag carrier, Air Niugini, to move construction cargo for the PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, The National reports.

Chapman Freeborn has 32 offices in 22 countries and last year alone, it co-ordinated 5,000 charters, according to a statement on its website.

One of the aircraft being offered for use in the project is a large L-100 Hercules aircraft – one similar to the two from South America that were in joint-venture with Nationair in the mid-1980s to move cargo from Nadzab to Moro for the construction of the Kutubu oil fields and oil pipeline to the Kumul Marine Terminal in the Gulf province.

The cargo handling facilities are already available at Nadzab and it has anticipated that most of the PNG LNG construction cargo for the Southern Highlands will be airlifted out of Nadzab to Tari, Komo and Moro.

 The arrangement will provide Air Niugini with access to the international cargo charter market, allowing the airline to offer its clients freighter aircraft from third party operators managed by Chapman Freeborn.

Through the new venture, shippers and forwarders will be offered a one-stop shop for project cargo with main deck charter solutions to Port Moresby International Airport and onward connections to smaller airfields and unpaved strips across PNG.

Clients will also be able to utilise Air Niugini’s cargo capacity on their current scheduled passenger aircraft which offer the greatest frequency into the country.

The aircraft offer to the market included the highly capable L-100 Hercules which will be utilised to service specialised high altitude airstrips, to assist with the logistics relating to the development of a major LNG project and to supplement domestic cargo operations by Air Niugini’s Dash 8 freighter aircraft.

The L-100 Hercules is unequalled in its ability to lift up to 20 tonnes of cargo from unprepared and short airstrips.

Chapman Freeborn and Air Niugini are also studying a niche regional freighter for some of the smaller loads required in the country.

Shahe Ouzounian, Chapman Freeborn’s chief operating officer, said:

“We’re delighted that Air Niugini has chosen Chapman Freeborn as their partner in this venture.

“I’m confident that with their regional capabilities and unparalleled local knowledge, combined with our global expertise, together we will help to further unlock Papua New Guinea’s potential for shippers and forwarders worldwide.

“We are very pleased that this partnership allows the national carrier of Papua New Guinea to be an integral part of the air logistics involved in the LNG project in the country and we are proud of our association with Air Niugini.”

Air Niugini will, in turn, benefit from working in partnership with the world’s leading aircraft charter company.

Chapman Freeborn has a reputation for innovation, expertise and professionalism built up over 36 years.