IMPROVED global rankings in the 2025 World Bank Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) by the ports of Lae and Port Moresby have been hailed by PNG Ports Corporation.
According to the report, Lae has advanced from 311th position in 2023 to 264th in 2025, while Port Moresby has improved from 280th to 248th, said to reflect a continued upward trajectory in operational performance and port efficiency.
In a cheeky aside, PNG Ports couldn’t help but highlight they’re having outperformed several major ports in developed economies including Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney (Port Botany), Auckland and Otago (albeit the comparisons have proven contentious).
“This improvement demonstrates the impact of strategic investment in equipment, systems, and operational efficiency,” said George Gware, chief operations officer of ICTSI South Pacific and port operator of Papua New Guinea’s two international container terminals.
“Our recent investments in new gantry cranes, yard equipment, and advanced port management systems have contributed to faster vessel turnaround times and improved cargo handling efficiency.”
The Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) is jointly compiled by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence and evaluates more than 400 ports worldwide.
The CPPI has become a widely referenced benchmark for measuring global container port performance since its introduction in 2020, albeit its methodology has been challenged.
The CPPI measures how efficiently container ports move vessels through their terminals, with shorter turnaround times translating into cost savings, improved reliability, and reduced carbon emissions.
“This recognition by the World Bank is not just about rankings—it’s about the hard work of our people and partners who ensure PNG’s ports remain vital arteries for trade, growth, and national development,” said Neil Papenfus, chief executive of PNG Ports.
PNG Ports operates 15 ports across Papua New Guinea.
PNG Ports notes that Lae, Port Moresby and Kimbe generate money that support 12 Community Service Obligation (CSO) ports, key gateways connecting remote communities and helping sustain regional economies.