Young PNG captain in charge of mv Fly Warrior

By MALUM NALU on Sturt Island

Young Papua New Guinea ship captain Joe Manuhu, who brought in the K19 million mv Fly Warrior from Malaysia to Papua New Guinea and up the Fly River, is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

Manuhu in the wheelhouse of the Fly Warrior on Saturday.-Picture by MALUM NALU

Manuhu, 33, from Pao village in Manus, however, is a veteran of the Fly River and is confident of doing a good job.

He was in charge of a crew of 13, two expatriates and 11 nationals, who sailed the Fly Warrior out of Malaysia on December 22 and arrived in Daru on January 2, and then went up the Fly River.

“I’m new to the rank of master,” Manuhu told reporters at Sturt Island on Saturday as the vessel was welcomed.

“I just got my master last year.

“I was previously with Steamships for 10 years going up and down the Fly River, then P&O, and then Consort Express Lines.

“Every day is a learning day.

“It’s always a challenge.”

Fly Warrior will primarily service Ok Tedi Mining Ltd’s operational requirements, carrying up to 72 containers and or 1.2 million litres of fuel, out of Port Moresby but has the capacity to call into Australia when required.

The ship was designed by Shiptech in Singapore, constructed by Sarawak Slipways in Malaysia, and will be operated by V-Ships, the world’s largest shipping fleet manager.