26 March 2018

Wonye Ltd, a JV company established by Steamships property arm, Pacific Palm Properties, and local business Tininga, officially unveiled their exciting new project, Hagen Central, on Saturday 16 March 2018. The project development is valued at K58 million and is a mixed use retail and commercial development which is set to meet the demands of the growing highlands economic centre.

The complex totals 7,574m2 of Gross Lettable Area, consisting of four buildings; three warehouse buildings with mezzanine floors, and a Supermarket building with Office space above.

The design provides 144 off-street and secure car park spaces, plus three 20ft container truck parking bays. To celebrate the official opening of Hagen Central a commemorative plaque was unveiled by Mrs. Margie Duckworth and Mr. Merlin Swire, as representatives of the shareholders of Tininga and Steamships. At a small function to celebrate the event, and to welcome the Board of Steamships to Mount Hagen, Pat Duckworth, the Managing Director of Tininga said, “ It’s fantastic to see a company of the size and stature of Steamships actively involved in Mount Hagen with current developments at the Highlander and Hagen Central together with a considerable property portfolio.

This is definitely the largest project that Tininga have been involved in to date and is a demonstration of our commitment to Mount Hagen”. Lawrie Foster, the General Manager of Pacific Palms Property agreed, remarking, “We are pleased with the outcome of Hagen Central.

The JV partnership with Pat and Margie Duckworth of Tininga brings Steamships together with like-minded individuals, who have a long term and quality perspective, and a prominent standing in the Hagen community”. The Steamships Board also held their quarterly meeting in Mount Hagen for the first time since 2009. Steamships Chairman, Geoff Cundle, expressed the Boards condolences and sympathy to the victims of the recent Earthquake disaster in the highlands region, and announced a commitment of K250,000 towards the relief efforts.

Steamships in the Highlands Steamships historical association in the Highlands started in 1962 in Goroka when the company purchased Colyer Watson PNG LTD and started its hand in coffee exporting. For the first time Steamships Trading Company had branches outside of Port Moresby including Rabaul, Lae, Madang and Goroka. Steamships no longer exports coffee, but its hotel division, Coral Sea Hotels, operates the Highlander Hotel, which was originally purchased as the “Mt Hagen Hotel” in 1964.

The hotel is undergoing a refurbishment of rooms, bar and restaurant this year. 2018 marks 100 years of Steamships in PNG.

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