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Annual Report 2012

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FY2012 Annual Report · System1
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S T E A M S H I P S   T R A D I N G   C O M PA N Y   L I M I T E D

A N N UA L

R E P O R T 2012

PIONEERING SUSTAINABLE PROGRESS

Steamships Trading  Company  has  a  94-year  tradition  of  investing  in  Papua  New  Guinea’s
growth, development and progress.  Its transition from pioneer coastal trader to a diversified
leader in shipping, transport, property, manufacturing, hotels and information technology
has  been  integral  to,  and  part  of,  Papua  New  Guinea’s  development.  More  recently  that
development has accelerated so that Steamships is triple the size it was ten years ago and
PNG has become a modern and formative leader within the Asia Pacific region. 

Committed to our people, the sustainability of our operations, and the future of Papua New
Guinea, Steamships Trading Company is pioneering sustainable progress in PNG for the next
generation of stakeholders.

2

Steamships Trading Company Limited

A N N UA L

R E P O R T 2012

Contents

Brief Profile of Steamships Trading Company Ltd . 4

Financial Highlights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Chairman’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Directors’ Economic Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Directors’ Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Logistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Steamships Shipping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Consort Express Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

East West Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Property and Hotels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Pacific Palms Property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Coral Sea Hotels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Laga Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Datec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Joint Ventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Pacific Towing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Colgate Palmolive (PNG) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Sustainability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Steamships’ Sustainability Focus Areas . . . . . . . . . 37

Our People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Our Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Our Community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Corporate Governance Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

FINANCIAL SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Statements of Comprehensive Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Statement of Changes in Equity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Statements of Financial Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Statements of Cash Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts . . . . . . . . . 62

Independent Auditor’s Report to the

Shareholders of Steamships Trading

Company Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Directors’ Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Table of Comparisons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Stock Exchange Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Company Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

3

Brief Profile of Steamships Trading Company Ltd

Steamships Trading Company Ltd (Steamships) is a Papua
New Guinean success story. Today Steamships is a well-
established  business  conglomerate  with  diverse
commercial interests and public shareholding listings on
both  the  Australian  Securities  Exchange  and  the  Port
Moresby  Stock  Exchange;  a  fact  that  belies  its  humble
origins. 

Queenscliffe, to Port Moresby to trade along the Papuan
coast. In 1924 the Public Company was formed and the
Steamships story had well and truly begun. It was to be
not only the story of the Company and the Group, but of
the  formative  years  of  Papua  New  Guinea,  for  the
fortunes  of  the  Group  and  the  country  have,  from  the
first, been closely intertwined. 

The Steamships story began in the early years of the 20th
century in what was then one of the least known parts of
the  world.  The  Company  was  founded  by  retired  Sea
Captain,  Algernon  Sydney  Fitch,  to  run  salvage
operations  in  Australia.    A  dynamic,  dedicated  and
progressive  man,  Fitch  was  not  averse  to  taking  risks.
Before too long he sailed the Company’s first ship, the SS

At  each  stage  of  the  economic  development  of  the
largest  nation  and  economy  in  the  South  Pacific,
Steamships  has  fostered  businesses  and  industries  that
have  helped  build  PNG.  The  Group  has  boosted  local
economies  through  businesses  initially  established  in
Port Moresby, the gulf and western reaches of the former
territory  of  Papua  and  later  in  New  Guinea  and  the

STEAMSHIPS’ ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

STEAMSHIPS HEAD OFFICE

LOGISTICS
DIVISION

PROPERTY AND
HOTEL DIVISION

COMMERCIAL 
DIVISION

KEY JOINT 
VENTURES

Coral Sea
Hotels

Pacific Palms
Property

Datec

Laga
Industries

Pacific Towing

Colgate-
Palmolive
(PNG)

Steamships
Shipping 

Shipping
Agents

Stevedoring
Companies

Coastal
Shipping

Consort
Express Lines

East West
Transport

4

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Brief Profile of Steamships Trading Company Ltd (continued)

Highlands. As the country started to develop and explore
its  rich  and  diverse  endowment  of  natural  resources,
including  plantation  crops  and  mining,  the  economy
required  companies  with  the  vision  and  energy  of
Steamships  to  supply  coastal  shipping  services.  In
response  to  new  opportunities,  Steamships  diversified
into  hotels,  manufacturing,  distribution  and  other
services, all while continuing to supply the shipping and
stevedoring  services  that  are  necessary  if  PNG  is  to
continue to generate the economic growth required to
meet the needs of its rapidly growing population.

In  2012  Steamships’ annual  revenues  surpassed  the
K1 billion mark for the first time and the Group had net
assets  of  over  K761  million.  The  Group  employs  over
3,700  PNG  citizens  and  non-citizens  in  seven  diverse
divisions grouped under the three operating categories
of  Logistics,  Property  and  Hotels,  and  Commercial.  It
continues to uphold the Group philosophy which aims to
offer  quality,  competitive  goods  and  services  to  all  its
customers; provide safe, secure and challenging careers

for  its  staff;  maintain  the  highest  business  ethics  at  all
times;  minimise  its  impacts  on  the  environment;  make
practical efforts to improve the lives of the communities
in  which  it  operates;  and  earn  superior  returns  for  its
shareholders. 

its 

Steamships  is  aware  of  its  pre-eminent  position  in  the
community  and 
responsibility  to  serve  that
community.  The  Group  continues  to  be  one  of  PNG’s
largest  private  sector  employers  and  one  of  the  largest
supporters of community initiatives in education, health,
environment and social welfare. Steamships ensures that
core sustainability concepts are embedded in its business
models  and  systems.  Steamships  cannot  succeed
without  the  engagement  and  support  of  the  people  it
employs, the loyalty of and satisfaction of its customers,
the local communities and the environment in which it
operates. 

Over  90  years  on,  Steamships  is  still  showing  it  has  the
resources and capacity, vision and capability to meet the
dynamic needs of a growing and vibrant country.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

5

Financial Highlights

Revenue

Operating Profit

Profit attributed to shareholders

Cash generated from operations

2012

K'000

1,038,195

296,509

177,700

266,866

Net cash inflow/(outflow) before financing

28,452

Shareholders’ funds

External borrowings

Note

1.

Earnings per share

Dividend per share

Shareholders’ funds per share

Note

2. Gearing ratio – percentage

3.

Interest cover – times

4. Dividend cover – times  

Notes

677,178

461,253

2012

Toea

573

285

2,183

2012

40%

9.6

2.0

Change

11.1%

11.8%

12.3%

5.7%

(21.6%)

17.0%

21.7%

12.3%

50.0%

17.1%

2011

K'000

934,717

265,116

158,261

252,509

36,267

578,549

379,088

2011

Toea

510

190

1,866

2011

41%

8.5

2.7

1.

2.

3.

4.

Earnings per share have been calculated by dividing the profit attributable to shareholders by the weighted
average number of shares on issue during each year.

Gearing represents the ratio of debt to net debt plus equity.

Interest cover is calculated by dividing operating profit by net finance charges.

Dividend cover is calculated by dividing profit attributable to shareholders by the total dividends declared
and proposed during the year.

6

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Chairman’s Report

2012 was a challenging year for PNG. A general election
midyear,  a  slowdown  in  key  export  markets,  financial
instability in Europe and falling commodity prices all led
to  a  weak  first  half  year  for  Steamships.  A  decisive
electoral  result  provided  greater  business  confidence  in
PNG,  while  the  subsequent  budget  and  good  progress
on the establishment of the LNG project led to a stronger
second half. This also provides greater confidence for the
next few years.

Steamships’ revenue for the year grew by 11 per cent to
K1,038  million,  with  profit  after  tax  attributed  to
shareholders  increasing  by  12  per  cent  to  K178  million.
The  Property  and  Hotels  Division  performed  well,  with
continued  growth  in  revenue  and  profits  and  new
industrial  and  commercial  properties,  as  well  as  the
Grand  Papua  Hotel,  adding  to  Steamships’ extensive
portfolios. In spite of this, increased competition created
by  the  current  building  boom  is  putting  pressure  on
occupancies and lease and room rates.  After a slow start,
the  manufacturing  business  registered  an  encouraging
year of growth driven by improved efficiencies, while the
IT  Division  recorded  improved  revenues  in  what  was  a
period  of  significant  industry  change.  Steamships’
logistics  businesses  were  weaker  in  2012  due  to
congested  wharf  infrastructure,  a  general  slowdown  in
projects  and  increasing  competition  on  coastal  trades.
East  West  Transport  road  haulage  was  the  exception
though  the  Highlands  Highway  remains  a  significant
challenge.

Steamships’ performance  was  built  upon  a  whole-of-
group focus on cost management, improved efficiencies
and  strategic  investments.  A  strong  commitment  to
providing world-class customer service, to improving the
skills and capability of our employees and to increasing
the  health  and  welfare  of  our  communities  stood  the
Group  in  good  stead  throughout  the  year.  Capital
expenditure in 2012 was K203 million; K76 million or 37
per cent of this was allocated to new investments which
will come on line over the next three years.

PNG  continues  to  develop  strong  agricultural  and
resource-based export trade, although these have been
hit hard by appreciation of the PNG currency and falling
commodity prices. Between March 2011 and March 2012,
the Kina appreciated by close to 20 per cent against the
US dollar – an extreme rise.1 In 2012 the position was less
severe, although appreciation was still estimated at close
to  9  per  cent  for  the  first  three  quarters  of  the  year.
International spot prices for PNG’s major resource export
commodities (gold, copper, oil) were volatile throughout
2012, with copper in particular down from its 2011 peaks.
Major  agricultural  exports  of  cocoa,  coffee,  copra  and
palm  oil  ended  2012  at  prices  that  were  significantly
below 2011 levels.  The challenges these trends present
for  companies  operating  in  PNG  are  examined  in  the
economic analysis elsewhere in this annual report. 

The successful conduct of general elections in mid-2012
marked a positive step towards improved stability for the
country. Buoyed by a comprehensive victory at the polls,
Peter  O’Neill’s  People’s  National  Congress  party
established  a  strong  coalition  government  and  formed
an  experienced  and  responsible  cabinet.  From  these
foundations  the  Government  has  moved  forward
strongly,  having  identified  that  PNG  needs  to  broaden
economic growth and lift productivity, particularly in the
resource sector.  The 2013 National Budget includes a 50
per  cent  lift  in  spending  for  health,  education,  and  law
and  order.  It  also  commits  an  additional  K12  billion  in
expenditure  over  the  next  five  years  to  infrastructure
such as roads, highways, ports and airports. Steamships is
strongly  supportive  of  these  measures.  In  addition  to
directly  improving  the  efficiency  of  many  of  our
businesses and thus reducing the cost to our customers,
it will improve the skills and living conditions of our many
employees.

Just  as  the  economy  must  be  sustainable,  so  must
individual company activities. Last year our annual report
set  out  a  framework  to  demonstrate  our  performance
against  some  of  the  key  indicators  developed  by  the
Global  Reporting  Initiative  (GRI),  the  world’s  leading

1 Source material related to the content of this report is available upon request from Steamships’ Public Relations unit.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

7

Chairman’s Report

(continued)

sustainability  benchmark.  Data  related  to  our  economic
contribution  to  society,  environmental  stewardship  and
the  development  of  our  people  was  collected  and
reviewed.  This  process  continued  in  2012.  A  review  of
ongoing  efforts 
sustainability
responsibilities is featured in this report.

to  manage  our 

At  Board  level  Steamships  underwent  a  significant
change at the end of 2012, with the retirement of David
Cox  as  Managing  Director.  David  joined  Steamships  in
1992  as  hotels  beverage  manager,  rising  to  Managing
Director in 2004.  David led Steamships through a most
extraordinary  period  of  growth  for  the  Group  despite
periods  of  considerable  government  and  societal
instability 
in  PNG.  David’s  skill,  dedication  and
achievement  served  shareholders  and  the  Group
extremely well throughout his tenure. As announced to
shareholders in May 2012, David accepted the invitation
to  continue  as  a  non-executive  director  on  the
Steamships Board.

Geoffrey Cundle assumed the role of Managing Director
on 1 January 2013. Geoffrey joined the Group from Swire
Pacific  Ltd,  where  he  was  most  recently  an  Executive
Director  of  the  Beverages  Division  and  an  Executive

Director  of  the Trading  and  Industrial  Division.  Geoffrey
was  previously  a  General  Manager  of  Steamships
Shipping  from  1989  to  1992  and  a  director  of  the
Steamships  Group  between  February  2006  and  May
2007. He has been with the Swire Group for 33 years.

In August 2012 Steamships also farewelled Edward Ruha,
who  joined  the  Group  in  1991  and  became  Finance
Director  and  Company  Secretary  in  2008.  He  made  a
strong  contribution  to  the  Group’s  financial  and
corporate governance performance during his tenure.

Steamships  welcomed  Sean  Pelling  to  the  Group  in
August as Finance Director and Company Secretary. Sean
was  previously  a  Finance  Director  in  Africa  with  James
Finlay Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of John Swire &
Sons Limited.

On  behalf  of  the  Board  I  would  like  to  acknowledge  all
3,742 employees across Steamships’ many divisions and
diverse locations. Their efforts and commitment in 2012
have  ensured  the  Group  is  well  placed  to  meet  the
challenges that lie ahead. 

WL Rothery
Chairman

8

Steamships Trading Company Limited

9

Directors’ Economic Analysis

PNG  has  enjoyed  several  years  of  strong  economic
growth,  driven  largely  by  high  commodity  prices,
structural  reforms  and  sound  macroeconomic  policies.
Economic expansion continued in 2012, at an estimated
rate of 8 per cent, despite the impact of a stronger Kina
and  weaker  international  commodity  prices,  which
resulted  in  lower  than  expected  government  revenue
and rural incomes. 

in  the  non-mineral  sector, 

This  was  in  the  most  part  due  to  strong  economic
performance 
led  by
construction and transport – as development of the PNG
LNG  Project  peaked  –  and  higher  government
expenditure. The  commencement  of  production  at  the
Ramu nickel and cobalt mine in late 2012 boosted output
in  the  mining  sector  and  discounted  the  impact  of  a
continued fall in output from PNG’s declining oil reserves. 

Beyond  PNG,  the  global  economic  recovery  remained
stalled  throughout  2012.  Fiscal  and  banking  difficulties
persisted  in  Europe  and  moderate  slowdowns  in  the
large  emerging  economies  (Brazil,  India,  the  Russian
Federation  and  the  People’s  Republic  of  China)  ensured
global  economic  activity 
remained  weak.  The
International  Monetary  Fund  (IMF),  in  its  October  2012
World  Economic  Outlook,  revised  its  forecast  for  global
growth  downward  to  3.3  per  cent  in  2012,  from  a  July
forecast  of  3.5  per  cent.  Growth  in ‘Developing  Asia,’ a
regional group that includes emerging economies such
as China, India, Indonesia and PNG is forecast to be 6.7%
in 2012, down from 7.8% in 2011.

As  a  consequence  of  the  global  slowdown,  Pacific
economies experienced declines in export earnings from
agriculture,  forestry  and  some  minerals.    The  PNG
economy, which is reliant on resource exports, has been
affected  more  than  others  in  the  region.  The  PNG
Government  now  expects  a  2012  budget  deficit
equivalent  to  1.2  per  cent  of  GDP.  The  result  reflects
decreased revenues, particularly for gold and copper, and
increased  government  expenditures.    Steamships  was
not immune to these impacts with the Group’s Logistics
Division  experiencing  volatility  in  charter  activity  and
  The  Group’s
cargo  volumes  across 
manufacturing arm, Laga Industries, also suffered from a
general decrease in disposable income. 

the  year. 

The PNG economy benefited from lower inflation in 2012
with the expected headline rate averaging 4.1 per cent,
down from over 7 per cent in 2011. The Kina appreciated
by 8.9 per cent against the US dollar and close to 10 per
cent  against  the  Australian  dollar  in  the  first  three
quarters of 2012.  In response to the lower inflation, the
Bank of PNG moved to ease its monetary policy stance in
September  2012,  lowering  its  target  interest  rate  from
7.75 to 6.75 per cent. 

Continued  growth  in  the  economy  has  led  to  further
increases  in  formal  employment;  the  total  level  of
employment in PNG increased by 7 per cent in the year
to  September  2012.  Excluding  the  mineral  sector,  the
level of employment increased by 6.6 per cent.

Trade

Steamships  is  not  an  export  business.  However,  the
Group’s performance is directly impacted by fluctuations
and developments in PNG trade because of its significant
interests  in  logistics,  retail  and  manufacturing,  and  by
changes in the macroeconomic environment.

In 2012, foreign direct investment replaced the resource
export sector as the main engine of growth in the PNG
lower
economy.  According  to  the  Bank  of  PNG, 
international  commodity  prices 
for  PNG  exports
produced  a  deficit  in  the  balance  of  payments  of
K868  million  for  the  nine  months  to  September  2012,
compared to a surplus of K427 million in the same period
of  2011.    The  weighted  average  price  of  PNG’s  exports
was  16.2  per  cent  lower  in  the  September  quarter  of
2012,  compared  to  the  corresponding  quarter  of  2011.
This  included  a  14.7  per  cent  decline  in  the  price  of
mineral exports and a 21.2 per cent decline in the price of
agricultural  and  marine  product  exports.    Lower  Kina
prices  prevailed  for  all  mineral  and  agricultural  exports,
with the exception of tea and marine products.

The stronger Kina coupled with lower commodity prices
reduced export revenues in 2012, lowering incomes and
spending power in export industries. Cash crop farmers
are often the hardest hit, as they generally cut production
when prices fall, lowering their income potential. This was
especially true for PNG copra and coffee farmers in 2012,
with  declines  in  international  prices  matched  by  a

10

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Directors’ Economic Analysis

(continued)

decrease in year on year sales.  Prices for palm oil, PNG’s
largest agricultural export commodity, were down 26 per
cent  in  December  2012  compared  to  December  2011.
Across the economy, total sales declined by 2.8 per cent
in  the  twelve  months  to  June  2012. This  was  driven  by
declines  in  the  mineral,  wholesale,  manufacturing,
transportation,  agriculture/forestry/fisheries,  financial/
business and other services industries, while the building
and construction and retail industries recorded increases.

The  impact  of  these  declines  was  felt  heavily  by
Steamships’ logistics  businesses.  Lower  coffee  volumes
affected the Group’s transport operations in Lae and the
Highlands  region,  while  an  overall  reduction  in  the
growth of commodity volumes affected tonnages carried
by the Group’s coastal shipping operations.

In 2013, PNG will become more reliant on revenue from
resource exports and less on foreign direct investment, as
construction  of  the  PNG  LNG  project  begins  to  wind
down. Fortunately, growth in Japan, China and Australia,
PNG’s main trading partners, is expected to remain stable.
This  is  likely  to  result  in  continued  demand  for  PNG’s
products  including  gold,  copper,  nickel,  petroleum,  and
forestry and marine products.

PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES FOR 2013

After  achieving  one  of  the  highest  growth  rates  in  the
Asia-Pacific  region  in  2012,  PNG’s  economic  growth  is
forecast  to  slow  markedly  in  2013  to  4  per  cent,  before
rebounding  to  7.5  per  cent  in  2014  as  the  PNG  LNG
project begins exporting large volumes of LNG to China,
Japan  and  South  Korea.    In  an  economic  briefing  in
December  2012,  World  Bank  representatives  in  PNG
pointed  to  short  term  difficulties  in  financing  spending
priorities because of slower, more heavily resource-driven
economic  growth,  weaker  public  revenues  and  fewer
new resource investments in the pipeline.  Prospects for
medium term growth are more encouraging. The IMF has
forecast GDP growth of 20 per cent in 2015, when LNG
production reaches full capacity, and an average annual
GDP growth rate of around 5 per cent after 2018 as fiscal

revenues  from  the  project  begin  to  flow.    LNG-related
government  revenues  are  projected  to  grow  to  around
10 per cent of non-mineral GDP at their peak in 2024.

life  expectancy  at  birth 

While economic growth is positive, it is an unhappy fact
that  PNG  continues  to  perform  poorly  on  important
social indicators related to health, education and poverty.
in  PNG  was
In  2011, 
approximately  63  years,  while  the  average  PNG  child
received  just  six  years  of  schooling.  Between  1980  and
2011 per capita GNI2 increased by just 20 per cent.  At a
regional  level,  some  PNG  provinces  continue  to  rank
amongst the lowest in the world on universally accepted
indicators for human development.

The  PNG  Government  has  sought  to  address  these
challenges  in  the  2013  Budget.  The  proportion  of
expenditure allocated to health, education, infrastructure
and law and order has grown from less than 20 per cent
of total expenditure in 2007 to an estimated 31 per cent
in  2013.  Key  initiatives  include  the  Government’s “free”
education  and  health  policies  and  an  increase  in  police
force numbers. Steamships commends the government
on its commitment to address problems including poor
access to nutrition for children, high maternal mortality,
exposure  to  violence  and  to  improving  literacy  and
access to schools for younger Papua New Guineans. The
Group is proud to support the PNG Government in these
endeavours,  both  directly 
through  our  various
community programs and indirectly through the efficient
provision  of  essential  goods  and  services, 
local
employment and the distribution of wealth in the form of
wages and payments for services.

Fiscal challenges

increase 

Fiscal challenges lie ahead for the PNG Government. The
K13 billion 2013 national budget, which calls for a 23 per
cent 
in  nominal  expenditure,  will  be
accompanied by a significant slowdown in government
revenue  growth  and  only  modest  growth 
in
consumption,  income  and  corporate  taxes. The  budget 
is  projected  to  create  a  fiscal  deficit  of  K2.6  billion

2 This is a measure of the market value of all officially recognised final goods and services produced within a country (GDP) plus net
receipts from abroad of wages and salaries and of property income, divided by mid-year population.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

11

Directors’ Economic Analysis

(continued)

12

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Directors’ Economic Analysis

(continued)

(7.2  per  cent  of  GDP)  in  2013,  and  K2.3  billion  in  2014,
before returning to balance in 2015. 

long  term  economic  development  and  increasing
business costs.

The  Bank  of  PNG  Governor,  Loi  Bakani,  has  warned  that
the historically large fiscal deficit and projected inflation
of  8  per  cent  are  major  concerns  given  the  current
economic environment.   Expenditure plans will have to
be  carefully  managed  if  the  PNG  Government  is  to
achieve  its  goal  of  macroeconomic  stability  in  the
medium  term.  Sound  implementation  of  monetary
policy  is  also  required  to  ensure  price  stability  is
maintained.

As well as increasing expenditure in priority development
sectors, the 2013 budget includes an 87 per cent increase
in  funding  for  the  provincial  and  district  levels  of
Government.  This  represents  a  positive  shift  in  the
National  Government’s  approach  to  service  delivery  in
rural areas. 

Increased  expenditure  should  improve  development
prospects,  especially  in  the  poorest  areas,  and  help  to
falling  domestic  demand.  However,  the
counter 
Government  must  ensure 
in
that 
expenditure translates into tangible improvements in the
quantity and quality of service delivery. This will be most
difficult at the sub-national level, where government has
historically struggled to fully implement tangible public
services. 

increase 

the 

Ongoing capacity constraints

Great strain will continue to be placed on PNG’s transport
infrastructure as the country ramps up resource exports
in  the  coming  years.  These  problems  undermine  the
efficiency  of  Steamships’ supply  chain  and 
limit
productivity.  In  particular,  deteriorating  road  conditions
along  the  Highlands  Highway  have  had  a  detrimental
effect  on  Steamships’
transport  business.
Congestion at PNG’s major ports, particularly the Port of
Lae,  impedes  the  Group’s  coastal  shipping  operations.
Failure  to  improve  transport  infrastructure  creates
bottlenecks and deteriorates service delivery, hampering

road 

Increased  business  costs  place  constraints  on  industry,
particularly non-minerals industries which find it difficult
to compete with the gas and minerals industry. While the
winding down of construction on the PNG LNG project
should  help  alleviate  some  resources  shortages,
particularly labour, it will also slow growth in related non-
minerals 
transportation  and
construction related services.   

industries  such  as 

Strong global demand for PNG exports will be reflected
in a strong Kina which will continue to create challenges
for  growth  in  non-mineral  export  related  industries.
Continued  investment  in  the  non-minerals  economy  is
critical to promote broad-based growth and to minimise
the damaging effects of “Dutch disease.3 “

The  2013  National  Budget  commits  an  extra  K12  billion
over  five  years  to  “nation-building  infrastructure”.    The
refurbishment  and  building  of  new  roads,  highways,
ports  and  airports  will  aid  the  PNG  economy  by
improving access to markets and reducing transportation
costs. 

Importantly for Steamships and other logistics providers,
work  on  the  K700  million  Lae  port  expansion  and
redevelopment  project  has  progressed  well  since
commencement  in  2012.  The  project,  which  is  being
funded  70  per  cent  by  the  Asian  Development  Bank
(ADB)  and  30  per  cent  by  the  National  Government,
involves the construction of new port facilities including
a tidal basin, a berth and a terminal. The ADB believes the
new facilities will be fully functional in 2015.  

Distributing the benefits of the boom 

While  an  increase  in  infrastructure  capacity  helps
minimise  the  impact  of  Dutch  disease,  costs  across  the
economy must be lowered and loose monetary settings
must  be  avoided  to  mitigate  the  appreciation  of  the
exchange  rate  and  inflation.  The  creation  of  Sovereign
Wealth  Funds  (SWF)  –  foreign  currency  denominated

3 A phenomenon where an increase in the exploitation of natural resources leads to a decline in other sectors of the economy, such as
manufacturing and agriculture.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

13

Directors’ Economic Analysis

(continued)

assets – is a key policy measure of the PNG Government.
This  strategy  aims  to  sterilise  foreign  exchange  inflows
and  reduce  upwards  pressure  on  the  exchange  rate,
thereby reducing the PNG budget’s underlying exposure
to external forces. The SWF will capture wealth today for
future generations.

2011. Led by members of the Department of Justice and
the  Police  Force,  the  taskforce  has  been  empowered  to
investigate, prosecute and recover the proceeds of crime.
In  2012  it  registered  174  complaints  about  corruption
and  investigated  52  cases  involving  amounts  totalling
approximately K2.162 billion. 

According to plans for the SWF, government tax revenues
will be saved in a “stabilisation”fund, while dividends from
large  resource  projects,  including  the  PNG  LNG  project,
are  to  be  spent  through  a  “development” fund.    The
challenge  for  the  PNG  Government  is  to  ensure  that
these  revenues  are  invested  in  projects  that  generate
broad-based, long term economic development and are
not  expended  on  short  term  operational  requirements.
The creation of legislation that guides spending from the
SWF  is  an  immediate  priority  given  LNG  dividends  will
start to flow in 2015.

Improving PNG’s business climate

indicators 

Papua  New  Guinea  remains  a  challenging  place  to  do
business  according  to  global  rankings.  In  2012,  PNG
ranked  104  out  of  185  economies  on  the  World  Bank’s
annual “Ease of Doing Business” index. While it performed
admirably  on  some 
including  “getting
electricity” and  “protecting  investors,” PNG’s  overall
ranking  was  influenced  by  particularly  poor  results  in
areas  influenced  by  regulation  and  related  to  investor
certainty  (starting  a  business,  dealing  with  construction
permits, registering property, enforcing contracts).  These
findings  show  how  onerous  regulations,  costly  taxes,
corruption  and 
institutions  can
ineffective  public 
diminish  productivity  and  increase  sovereign  risk.  To
encourage  wider  economic  development  PNG  policy-
makers  need  to  create  an  environment  which  supports
the  development  of  local  business  and  attracts  foreign
direct investment.  

Corruption  and  the  abuse  of  public  funds  have  the
potential to undermine Government programs and deter
investment.    Recent  progress  in  this  area  has  been
encouraging.  PNG’s  Investigation Task  Force  Sweep  was
established  by  the  National  Executive  Council  (NEC)  in

Prime  Minister  O’Neill  has  warned  that  maintaining
productivity  is  one  of  the  most  important  economic
challenges  facing  PNG.    He  pointed  to  the  multibillion
Kina cost blowout at the PNG LNG project as an example
of  the  detrimental  impact  of  rising  costs.  Measures  that
lift  productivity  will  ensure  the  economic  viability  of
energy  and  resource  projects  and  generate  a  more
favourable  operating  environment  for  companies  like
Steamships. 

Privatisation, when accompanied with a pro-competitive
legislative  framework  governing  the  operation  of
privatised  entities,  is  a  proven  strategy  to  improve
competitiveness,  promote  efficiency  and  encourage
investment. The  ongoing  success  of  Bank  South  Pacific,
which was established from the privatisation of the PNG
Banking  Corporation  in  2002,  shows  how  privatised
enterprises can produce better returns and services and
make  prices  more  competitive.  Privatisation  of
enterprises such as Air Niugini, PNG Power, Telikom PNG
and the PNG Harbours Boards, which were considered in
the  past,  would  also  deliver  significant  increases  in
productivity in the PNG economy.  

to  establish  an 

In  late  2012,  Prime  Minister  Peter  O’Neill  announced
plans 
independent  Productivity
Commission  to  advise  the  government  on  making  the
economy  more  competitive.  He  also  committed  to  a
wide-ranging  review  of  the  PNG  tax  system  and
dedicated  efforts  to  speed  up  the  approval  process  for
large-scale  development  projects.    Funding  for  the  first
stage  of  the  tax  review  is  included  in  the  2013  Budget.
Steamships is wholly supportive of these efforts; a more
competitive  taxation  regime  will  enhance  both  foreign
and  local  investment,  as  well  as  generate  a  more
productive and efficient economy.  

14

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Directors’ Review

Steamships has had a successful year, with consolidated
Group profit after tax increasing by 12 per cent to K178
million.  This  result  included  the  profit  on  sale  of  a
property  of  K48  million  (prior  year  K12m)  and  an
investment  impairment  of  K25  million  (prior  year  K7m);
adjusting for these means the Group recorded a marginal
gain in profit after tax.    

In 
the  Logistics  category,  Steamships  Shipping
performed satisfactorily in 2012 continuing to capitalise
on a buoyant market, albeit with a general slowdown as
a  result  of  the  PNG  National  Elections,  held  in  June.
Consequently,  project  cargo  and  charter  activity  during
the  mid-year  period  was  lower  than  expected,  but
improved  in  the  latter  part  of  2012.  Coastal  liner  trade
volumes held steady. 

Steamships JV Stevedoring businesses had a respectable
year  in  2012,  fuelled  by  continuous  activity  at  most  of
PNG’s  major  ports. The  companies  handled  the  highest
volume  of  cargo  in  PNG  history  for  the  second  year
running,  moving  close  to  2.5  million  tonnes  and
surpassing  last  year’s  record  of  2.3  million  tonnes.
Improved efficiencies in the management of the business

and a robust training program have led to a 60 per cent
increase in productivity across all ports and strengthened
relations  with  customers,  as  well  as  the  PNG  Ports
Corporation.

Steamships  Shipping  Agencies  had  a  reasonable  year
mainly  driven  by  a  focus  on  container  detention
collections.  However,  in  2012  it  was  decided  that  the
provision of agency services was not a core functionality
of  the  Logistics  division  and  consequently  the  agency
business  was  transferred  to  the  China  Navigation
Company  Pte  Limited  (trading  as  Swire  Shipping
Agencies)  with  effect  from  1st  January  2013.  This  will
result  in  a  loss  of  contribution  of  approximately  K1.5
million.

Consort Express Lines experienced a challenging year in
2012.  Expected  growth  in  tonnage  did  not  materialise
and  consequently  the  division  only  achieved  modest
growth. The coastal shipping business was the hardest hit
with  total  recurring  tonnage  decreasing  as  a  result  of
increased  competition  and  low  agricultural  commodity
prices.  Both  PNG’s  National  Elections  and  a  significant
reduction in the coffee crop year on year reduced growth

15

Directors’ Review (continued)

in  total  coastal  volumes.  The  corresponding  fall  in
recurring revenue and an increase in fixed costs, created
largely by an intensive dry docking program, resulted in a
weaker year for 2012.

In contrast, Consort’s associates performed very well and
made  a  significant  contribution  to  Consort’s  final  2012
result.  In  particular,  Riback  Stevedoring  benefited  from
the  growth  in  cargo  volumes  to  Lae  during  the
construction phase of the PNG LNG project, as well as a
successful  diversification  into  complementary  depot
services. 

East West Transport performed better in 2012, recording
good year on year growth in revenue and market share
across all operations, but more importantly improved the
quality  of  its  earnings  through  targeted  key  accounts.
Depot  operations  in  Lae  and  Port  Moresby  showed
significant  growth  on  the  back  of  key  contracts  for
haulage,  equipment  hire  and  depot-related  storage
services. Fuel volumes remained strong, particularly with
the  LNG  project-related  haulage  in  Port  Moresby,  but
were  lower  across  the  outer  port  operations.  Project
haulage of reagent chemicals to the Hidden Valley mine

site  was  strong  throughout  the  year.  The  business  was
again  forced  to  manage  a  number  of  operational
challenges in 2012, particularly related to business along
the  highlands  highway  which  has  seen  deteriorating
road conditions and an increase in road users.

The Property & Hotels category performed well in 2012.
Pacific  Palms  Property  recorded  solid  year  on  year
revenue growth and continued to successfully capitalise
on  PNG’s  ongoing  property  boom.  The  Group’s
commercial  and  residential  properties  throughout  PNG
increased  their  occupancy  rate  to  98  per  cent  in  2012,
excluding  projects  under  construction.  Pacific  Palms
Property  completed  a  range  of  developments  during
2012, including three warehouses at Walter Bay in Badili,
East West Transport’s  bond  store  at  Baruni,  and  in  early
January 2013 completed eight Captain Fitch townhouses
at Ela Beach in Port Moresby.

Coral Sea Hotels experienced a year of consolidation and
debt  reduction  in  2012,  however,  did  not  achieve
budgeted  growth  in  revenue  per  available  room,
especially  in  its  new  flagship  hotel,  the  Grand  Papua.
Business confidence and corporate guests returned after

16

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Directors’ Review (continued)

the elections, with the business reporting strong overall
trading in the latter part of 2012.

number  of  consolidated  jobs  than  previous  years  and

recording  only  modest  year  on  year  revenue  growth.

In the Commercial category, Laga Industries experienced
some challenges in the first half of 2012, but recovered to
record  year  on  year  revenue  improvement  overall.
Growth  was  driven  by  a  continued  strategic  focus  on
enhancing  distribution  channels,  improving  operating
efficiencies  and  strengthening  marketing  efforts  for  key
brands.

Datec registered high demand for most business lines in
2012. Although revenues were higher than 2011, profits
were  slightly  down  due  to  the  completion  of  a  major
service  contract  during  the  year. 
In  a  significant
development,  Datec  was  awarded  an  international
gateway licence in 2012 and is now able to provide direct
high quality internet services via international suppliers.
Datec  also  completed  construction  of  next  generation
ISP  infrastructure,  which  will  provide  customers  with
more affordable, reliable and faster internet access. 

Steamships  has  two  major  joint  venture  companies  in
which  it  holds  an  interest.    Pacific  Towing,  a  marine
towing business, had a challenging year, securing a lower

Colgate-Palmolive (PNG), a manufacturer of personal and

home  care  products,  had  a  stronger  year,  with

performance buoyed by increased demand for consumer

goods and relatively firm margins.  

Steamships  continues  to  invest  across  the  Group.  A

number  of  key  projects  are  set  to  impact  on  Group

performance  in  the  2013  to  2015  period.  Steamships

commenced  various 

industrial,  commercial  and

residential  property  developments  in  2012  in  Port

Moresby, Lae and Madang with capital commitments of

K121  million.  These  projects  will  cement  the  Property

Division’s  position  in  the  market.  Further  it  is  expected

that  a  three-year  redevelopment  of  the  Hotel  division’s

Melanesian Hotel will commence in 2013 at an expected

cost of K110 million, with a view to capitalising on Lae’s

growth  as  the  industrial  hub  of  PNG.  The  Shipping

division  has  also  committed  to  a  new  build,  a  sister

to  the  Kopi  Chief,  with  a  further  committed  spend  of

K10 million. 

17

Logistics

STEAMSHIPS SHIPPING

Steamships has been a leader in coastal shipping in PNG
since 1919. Through its Steamships Shipping division, the
Group  today  operates  a  fleet  of  18  coastal  vessels
designed for shallow water and river passage, with safety
and  technical  specifications  maintained  to  international
standards. The  fleet  includes  landing  craft,  bulk  carriers,
tankers, tugs and barges. While the division specialises in
river shipping, it also has seven vessels fully certified for
international trading, which regularly operate charters to
Australia. 

Steamships Shipping provides short and long term vessel
charters, as well as reliable scheduled cargo liner services
to  the  shores  and  rivers  of  the  Gulf  of  Papua.  It  also
develops, implements and supports intermodal logistics
solutions  linked  to  land  based  services  such  as  road
transport,  cargo  handling,  storage,  agencies,  customs
clearance, lay down areas and warehousing.

In addition to owning vessels, Steamships JV Stevedoring
businesses offer a full range of stevedoring and handling
facilities. They operate in the ports of Port Moresby, Lae,
Oro,  Madang,  Kimbe,  Kavieng  and  Kiunga.  With  a  new
fleet  of  specialist  equipment  the  businesses  handle  all
types of containers, as well as project cargo, break-bulk,
RO-RO,  LO-LO  and  grains.  Local  trucking  businesses  are
also  operated  at  several  locations.  The  stevedoring
companies  are  joint  ventures  between  Steamships  and
local landowner groups at the respective ports. Each joint
venture employs a local workforce and is structured in a
manner  so  that  earnings  are  able  to  filter  back  into  the
community.

Performance in 2012

Steamships  Shipping performed  satisfactorily  in  2012,
despite  a  general  slowdown  in  project  cargoes  and
increasing competition. Project cargo and charter activity
during the mid-year period was lower than expected, but
improved  in  the  latter  part  of  2012.  Cargo  volumes
through PNG’s major ports were strong throughout the
increased,
year  and  coastal 
generating  increased  business  for  the  stevedoring  and
agency divisions.

liner  trade  volumes 

The Kopi Chief, Steamships’newest vessel, joined the fleet
in  October  2012.  The  vessel  was  designed  and  built
according  to  the  highest  safety,  accommodation  and
environmental  standards.  Safety  features  include  the
ability to operate safely on one engine, spare generator
capacity to ensure that the vessel and its cranes may still
be powered if one generator is out of service, and bow
safer  and  easier  manoeuvrability.
thrusters 
Furthermore,  the  Kopi  Chief  is  the  first  fully  double-
skinned  landing  craft  in  PNG,  thus  meeting  the  most
stringent of environmental standards. 

for 

Steamships  Marine  Engineering  Services  (MES),  the
division’s ship repair facility, offers dry-docking of vessels
up to 45 metres in length and 500 tonnes in weight. MES
had a busy year in 2012, catering to merchant vessels, as
well as servicing fishing vessels, ferries, landing craft and
recreational  boats. 
in  MES  safety
standards  were  a  key  focus  throughout  the  year.
Improved margins and results are expected in 2013.

Improvements 

Steamships  Shipping has  teamed  up  with  strategic
partners  to  establish  a  Centre  of  Excellence  at  the
Madang  Maritime  College  to  offer  progressive  safety
training  courses  to  all  seafarers  in  the  fleet. The  division
understands  that  an  ongoing  commitment  to  staff
development is vital to maintaining sufficient numbers of
professionally  trained  and  qualified  employees  in  this
growing PNG industry.

Steamships JV Stevedoring businesses had a respectable
year  in  2012,  fuelled  by  continuous  activity  at  most  of
PNG’s  major  ports.  In  total  they  handled  the  highest
volume  of  cargo  in  PNG  history  for  the  second  year
running,  moving  close  to  2.5  million  tonnes  and
surpassing  last  year’s  record  of  2.3  million  tonnes.
Improved efficiencies in the management of the business
and a robust training program have led to a 60 per cent
increase in productivity across all ports and strengthened
relations  with  customers,  as  well  as  the  PNG  Ports
Corporation with whom the business has worked closely
for  the  operation  of  their  mobile  harbour  cranes  and
rubber-tyred gantries.

As  representatives 
lines,
for  several 
Steamships  Shipping  Agencies  has  served  as  a  link

international 

18

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Logistics

(continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

19

Logistics

(continued)

between PNG and global economies using a diverse fleet
of  vessels,  with  2012  a  year  of  internal  business
improvement and development for these businesses.

aimed  at  optimising  operations  and  minimising  costs
and losses through injury and damage were put in place
in 2012 and will continue to develop in 2013. 

Strategies to improve efficiencies in asset utilisation will
be considered. The division is also investing in a new IT
management  system,  “Cargo  Pro”,  in  order  to  improve
staff  management,  invoice  accuracy  and  efficiency  and
debtor  settlement  in  all  Steamships  JV  Stevedoring
businesses.

Developing New Business Opportunities

Over  the  next  10  years  PNG  is  expected  to  experience
continued economic growth, leading to more disposable
income and increased opportunities for coastal shipping
in  areas  outside  the  major  population  centres  of  Port
Moresby and Lae. Steamships Shipping aims to capitalise
on  this  growth  by  developing  integrated  logistics
solutions,  which  utilise  the  division’s  strong  service
offerings  in  coastal  shipping,  stevedoring  and  marine
engineering services.

Following a review of operations, Steamships Shipping will
discontinue all but one of its agency operations in PNG
and  with  effect  from  2013  these  are  being  operated  by
China Navigation Company Pte Limited using the global
brand name Swire Shipping Agencies.

Aims for 2013

Health and Safety Initiatives

The continued development of a strong safety culture is
a  priority  for  2013.  Steamships  Shipping is  focused  on
providing and maintaining a safe work environment that
minimises  health  risks  for  all  employees. The  division  is
committed  to  planning  and  managing  activities  which
assess and eliminate accidents and hazards. A number of
initiatives have already been planned for 2013.

Management of Human Resources 

Steamships  Shipping is  committed  to  maximising  the
potential of its human resources. Recruiting, developing,
training and promoting Steamships people, both at sea
and  ashore,  are  key  priorities  in  2013.  The  division  has
planned a number of programs for next year, designed to
improve  its  human  resource  capital  and  to  encourage
personal and professional excellence.

Fleet Expansion & Renewal

Steamships  Shipping will  continue  to  acquire  new
tonnage and replace older vessels in the coastal fleet in
accordance  with  its  long  term  growth  and  renewal
program. A sister to the Kopi Chief is due for delivery in
mid 2013. By lowering the age and risk profile of the fleet,
the division will improve safety standards and ensure that
it  has  the  necessary  capacity  to  meet  the  growing
demand  for  shipping  services  from  the  resource
industries  and  general  commercial  customers.  The
division will also focus on updating and standardising the
Steamships  JV  Stevedoring  fleet  of  materials-handling
equipment to further increase productivity.

Improved Efficiencies

Improving efficiencies across Steamships JV Stevedoring
businesses  is  a  priority  in  2013  and  beyond.  Measures

20

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Logistics

(continued)

CONSORT EXPRESS LINES

As  a  complementary  business  to  Steamships  Shipping,
Consort  Express  Lines  Limited  (Consort),  established  in
1978, provides scheduled coastal shipping services in the
wider  PNG  archipelago.  The  division  currently  provides
the  most  comprehensive  network  of  scheduled  liner
shipping services in PNG. Operating from its hub in Lae,
Consort connects  15  ports  throughout  the  country  and
provides an international service to Townsville, Australia.
The  division  has  scheduled  services  to  the  North  Coast
(Madang,  Basamuk,  Wewak,  Vanimo),  South  Coast  (Port
Moresby,  Oro  Bay,  Alotau),  New  Guinea  Islands  (Kimbe,
Rabaul,  Kavieng),  Bougainville  (Buka,  Kieta),  Australia
(Townsville)  and,  beginning  in  2012  through  linkages
with  Steamships  Shipping,  Western  Province  (Daru,
Kiunga).  Consort proudly  serves  the  people  of  PNG  by
link  to  many  of  the
providing  the  sole  supply 
communities on its routes.

Consort owns and operates a fleet of nine geared, multi-
purpose  vessels  (PNG  flagged  and  manned)  with  all
safety and technical specifications maintained according
to international standards. The division can carry a range
of cargoes including containerised, break-bulk, reefer, LCL
and project cargo. Consort transports cargo for a diverse
customer  base  from  domestic  manufacturers  and
wholesalers  to  international  liner  carriers  transhipping
cargoes to outports.

In  addition  to  owning  and  operating  ships,  Consort
provides complementary depot services to customers at
the  Lae  hub  (including  bond  yard,  container  storage,
washbay facilities) and is a shareholder and manager of
five  stevedoring  operations  at  five  PNG  ports  (Riback
Stevedoring,  Lae;  United  Stevedoring  Limited,  Lae;
United  Stevedoring  Limited,  Port  Moresby;  Makerio
Stevedoring,  Buka;  Nikana  Stevedoring,  Kieta).  These
stevedoring  companies  are  partnerships  between
Consort and  local  landowner  companies  and  provide
significant  employment  opportunities  for  the  nearby
communities.

Performance in 2012

Consort’s shipping  services  experienced  a  challenging

increased  competition  and 

year  in  2012.  Expected  growth  in  tonnage  did  not
materialise and consequently the division only achieved
modest  growth. The  coastal  shipping  business  was  the
hardest hit. Total recurring tonnage decreased, as a result
low  agricultural
of 
reduced
commodity  prices  and  volumes,  which 
disposable 
for
consumer  goods  in  New  Britain  and  Bougainville.  The
corresponding  fall  in  recurring  revenue  and  an  increase
in fixed costs, created largely by an intensive dry docking
program, resulted in lower profits for 2012.

income  and  suppressed  demand 

In contrast, Consort’s depot services and JV Stevedoring
Associates  performed  well  and  made  a  significant
contribution  to  Consort’s final  2012  result.    The  most
notable  performance  was  Riback  Stevedoring,  which
benefitted  from  the  growth  in  cargo  volumes  to  Lae
during the construction phase of the PNG LNG project, as
into
well  as  a  very 
complementary depot services. 

successful  diversification 

Expanded Services

Consort responded  to  customer  demand  by  launching
fixed  day  sailings  to  three  ports  (Port  Moresby,  Madang
and Wewak) in March 2012. These were facilitated  by the
additional  capacity  provided  by  the  dredging  of  the
coastal berth at Lae port (allowing all ships in the Consort
fleet to call, which permitted improved cycling of ships in
the  congested  Lae  port)  and  the  addition  of  a  ninth
vessel to the fleet. In February 2012, Consort took delivery
of  MV  Nakanai  Coast  (5280dwt),  a  sister  ship  to  three
vessels already in the fleet. 

In addition, Consort added two new ports to the network
during  2012,  offering  customers  direct  shipments  to
Kiunga and Daru via a slot arrangement with Steamships
Shipping.

Investment

Consort took delivery of 1,500 new 20’ dry containers, 100
new 20’ reefer containers and 180 new 40’ containers in
2012. These investments replaced ageing stock, provided
additional capacity for expected growth and ensure that
Consort continues  to  provide  customers  with  the  most
reliable products available.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

21

Logistics

(continued)

Consort also  invested  in  existing  depot  services  and
launched new services, including a new bond yard and
washbay,  during  2012.  A  new  IT  management  system
was  introduced  to  improve  the  efficiency  of  depot
operations. 

Training

Consort offered  14  scholarships  for  the  Consort  Express
Lines PNG Officer Cadetship Program in 2012. Established
in  the  1980s,  these  scholarships  offer  high  performing
PNG  nationals  a  structured,  four-year  training  and
development program. A combination of at sea (onboard
a vessel in the Consort fleet) and onshore training (at the
PNG  Maritime  College,  Madang)  is  provided  for  deck
officers and engineers.

Together  with  Steamships  Shipping,  Consort has  also
partnered in the establishment of the Madang Centre of
Excellence.

Aims for 2013

Improving Efficiencies 

Improving the efficiency of operations will be a key focus
in 2013 and beyond. Port congestion, particularly at the
hub  port  of  Lae,  has  been  a  significant  issue.  Consort
plans  to  manage  this  by  reorganising  its  shipping
schedule  to  build  in  time  buffers  and  prioritise  services
on  competitive  trades,  together  with  potential  strategic
alliances. 

In addition, Consort plans to invest in a trucking fleet in
Port Moresby during 2013. This will provide a reliable land
transport  service.  The  division’s  Lae  depot  will  also  be
redeveloped  to  provide  better  efficiencies  and  new
opportunities for growth. 

Closer  cooperation  with  selected  strategic  partners  and
new  management  appointments  will  all  contribute  to
efficiencies in the business in 2013. These measures will
further  assist  Consort in  providing  the  best  value,  most
sustainable and reliable cargo transport services in PNG.

Business Development

A fixed day sailing to the port of Rabaul will be launched
in 2013 and various other new routes will be pursued to
previously unserviced PNG ports. Various resource sector

strategic  partnerships  are  being  pursued  to  sustain  the
Australia  service  and  expand  depot  operations.  Agency
and  stevedoring  services  will  also  be  developed  in
Vanimo.

Capital Investment

Consort will  review  tonnage  in  2013  and  propose  a
capital investment plan to maintain a viable asset base of
vessels and operating equipment. 

EAST WEST TRANSPORT

East West Transport (EWT) is  one  of  Papua  New  Guinea’s
largest  multifaceted  transport  and  logistics  companies.
Based  in  Lae,  it  also  has  a  significant  presence  in  Port
Moresby, Goroka, Wewak, Madang, Rabaul, Kavieng and
Mount  Hagen.  With  770  employees,  the  division  has  a
growing  fleet  of  144  prime  movers,  46  heavy  trucks,  9
light trucks and 49 forklifts. All of these are supported by
division  workshop  facilities,  safety  and  emergency
vehicles and an in house training centre. 

EWT operates  across  a  wide  spectrum  of  transport-
related activities including bulk fuel, containerised grain,
coffee,  break-bulk  cargoes  and  depot  services  such  as
equipment hire, warehousing, and yard storage. EWT also
offers a licensed customs cargo clearance service in Lae
and  Port  Moresby  as  well  as  operating  a  large  export
coffee  processing  facility  in  Lae. The  division  capitalises
on  its  close  relationships  with  sister  companies  in
shipping and stevedoring by offering specialised project
solutions for the mining, oil and gas sectors.

Performance in 2012

EWT performed better in 2012 recording strong growth
in  revenue  and  market  share  across  all  operations,  but
more  importantly  improved  the  quality  of  its  earnings
through targeted key accounts. Depot operations in Lae
and Port Moresby showed significant growth on the back
of key contracts for haulage, equipment hire and depot-
related  storage  services.  Fuel  volumes  remained  strong,
particularly with the LNG project-related haulage in Port
lower  across  the  outer  port
Moresby,  but  were 
operations. The  Exxon  Mobil  bulk  cartage  contract  was
renewed  for  an  additional  three  years  in  Port  Moresby,

22

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Logistics

(continued)

Lae  and  Madang  after  a  successful  operations  integrity

management system (OIMS) compliance audit earlier in

the year. 

Project  haulage  of  reagent  chemicals  to  the  Hidden

Valley mine site was also strong throughout the year. With

projected mine expansions in the Morobe and Madang

provincial area, EWT is positioning itself to take advantage

of  an  anticipated  growth  in  demand  for  specialised

transportation.  Ensuring  compliance  with  international

standards,  a  supply  of  fit  for  purpose  equipment  and  a

team  of  thoroughly  trained  and  capable  staff  are  all

ongoing priorities. 

The  division  was  also  pleased  to  announce  the
development of a joint venture partnership in West New
Britain province during 2012. This venture will encompass
a wide range of transport and related services.

flat  deck 

The  EWT fleet  continued  to  grow  in  2012  and  now
consists  of  prime  mover  and 
truck
combinations, light vehicles and a wide range of trailers
to  cover  all  requirements  for  metro,  highway  and  mine
site  haulage.  Materials  handling  equipment  also
increased  significantly  with  the  addition  of  two  empty
container handlers at the Port Moresby depot and three
reach stackers at the Lae depot for container and heavy
break-bulk handling. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

23

Logistics

(continued)

All  mobile  equipment  additions  to  the  fleet  have  been
sourced  from  China,  while  trailers  continue  to  be
supplied  from  Singapore.    The  Company  now  has  61
Chinese  trucks  in  the  fleet  and  additional  new  and
replacement fleet purchases are planned for 2013. These
trucks will predominantly service metro operations, while
14 will be added to the Highlands Highway fleet. 

in  “Depot  Pro”

During  2012  EWT invested 
(yard
management  computer  software)  and  will  capitalise
further on this in 2013 to enhance its logistics solutions
delivery. In conjunction with Pacific Palms Property, EWT
also  took  up  a  new  racked  warehouse  facility  at  Baruni
during the year that has expanded its logistics offering. 

EWT  managed  a  number  of  operational  challenges  in
2012,  particularly  in  relation  to  its  business  along  the
Highlands  Highway.  Deteriorating  road  conditions  and
an increase in road users due to the PNG LNG project led
to  added  difficulties.  The  use  of  B-Double  configured
trailers was not possible due to road conditions and this
is  unlikely  to  change 
in  the  foreseeable  future.
Furthermore,  the  2012  coffee  harvest  was  significantly
lower  in  volume  than  2011’s  unprecedented  coffee
season. These issues led to lower than expected revenues
in  this  area  of  the  business  and  a  slow  recovery  has
continued into the early stages of 2013. 

Aims for 2013

There are indications that 2013 will be a challenging year.
The  winding  down  of  construction  at  the  PNG  LNG
project will see an increase in available tonnage capacity
in the Morobe and Highlands regions and thus increased
competition  for  business.  EWT plans  to  meet  this
challenge  by  providing  superior  levels  of  service  and  a
broader range of service offerings. Maintaining key long-
term  contracts  is  vital  to  the  wellbeing  of  the  business
and the division continues to develop integrated logistics
services for all customers, large and small. 

The development of business on the Highlands Highway
will be a key focus in 2013. The acquisition of more robust

highway  trucks  commenced  in  2012  and  the  division  is
investing in a live cargo and equipment tracking system,
which will be established across the Lae, Goroka and Mt
Hagen  depots.    Warehousing  in  these  areas  will  be
developed  with  capabilities  modelled  on 
the
multifaceted Port Moresby operation.

Improving Efficiencies

Improving  the  efficiency  of  operations  will  be  a  priority
for EWT in 2013. The division is committed to developing
seamless  links  between  wharf,  customs,  warehousing,
local  depot  and  highway  operations,  including  bonded
and  fumigation  facilities  where  required.    It  will  also
develop  a  national  integrated  container  and  break-bulk
tracking system to improve performance. A strong focus
on the quality of contracted and integrated services will
continue through into 2013.

Business Development

EWT will  focus  on  optimising  current  service  offerings,
while  investing  in  new,  diversified  services  in  2013.
Ensuring reliable fit for purpose and efficient equipment
options for cargo handling and haulage services will be a
priority. The division will further develop empty container
depot operations along with associated services such as
container repairs and washing facilities. It will also target
continued  growth  in  equipment  rental  and  other
diversified  services,  including  waste  management,  bus
transport  services  and  crane  hire  for  larger  corporate
clients. 

Investing in People

EWT will continue to develop health safety, security and
environmental  standards  for  all  staff,  with  a  particular
focus on compliance with ISO standards. Staff training in
administration  and  technical  trades  will  continue  to
improve,  while  the  acquisition  of  a  driver  simulator,
supported  by  a  national  training  manager,  will  increase
the scope of the EWT training program. In-house training
will also continue to be provided by key suppliers.

24

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Property and Hotels

PACIFIC PALMS PROPERTY

Pacific  Palms  Property is  one  of  the  largest  and  most
dynamic  property  developers  in  PNG.  The  division
provides  residential,  commercial,  retail  and  industrial
property  throughout  the  country.  The  division  was
originally established to manage the Steamships Group’s
internal needs, although today over three quarters of its
business is conducted with external clients. 

tenant  placements, 

Today  Pacific  Palms  Property focuses  on  two  separate
streams  of  business  activity.  Its  development  team
manages  land  acquisition,  investment  assessment  and
construction  management,  whilst  its  lettings  team
rental
manages  marketing, 
collections and property maintenance. Building and land
assets are located in Port Moresby, Lae, Madang, Wewak,
Goroka, Mt Hagen, Popondetta and Rabaul. The division
currently  holds  a  total  lettable  space  of  14,837m2 of
commercial  property,  180,837m2 of  industrial  property,
18,904m2 of  retail  property  and  18,904m2 of  residential
property (comprising 108 units in total).

Performance in 2012

Pacific Palms Property had another successful year in 2012,
recording solid year on year revenue growth. The division
continued  to  successfully  capitalise  on  PNG’s  property
boom, benefiting from continued high rental yields and
occupancy rates in major commercial centres across the
country. Papua New Guinea’s construction sector overall
has  enjoyed  18  per  cent  growth  since  2007  and  is  now
one  of  the  economy’s  largest  contributors  to  GDP,
although there has been a ‘cooling off’ in the residential
market due to recent increases in capacity. Despite this,
Pacific Palms’ properties throughout PNG increased their
occupancy rate to 98 per cent in 2012, excluding projects
under construction.

Pacific  Palms  Property had  a  range  of  developments
ongoing during 2012.

In  its  Residential  category,  construction  of  the  division’s
prestigious Windward Apartments continued with stage 2
comprising 40 luxury executive apartments scheduled for
completion in 2013. Work on the 12-unit Blaikie Apartment
complex  located  in  Lae  is  also  due  to  complete  in  2013.

The  eight  Fitch Townhouses,  named  after  the  founder  of
Steamships  and  overlooking  Ela  Beach  in  Port  Moresby
were completed and occupied in January 2013. 

In  its  Retail  category,  construction  of  the  5,300m2 SVS
supermarket  and  commercial  complex  in  Lae  and  the
9,300m2 Waigani Central Development incorporating the
new  Stop  n  Shop  supermarket  and  Paradise  Cinema
complex in Port Moresby are both due for completion at
the end on 2013.

In its Commercial category, construction of the 18,800m2
Harbourside  Office  complex  commenced  in  April  2012.
This will be the first Green Star rated building of its kind in
Papua New Guinea and is due for completion in January
2015. Pre-leasing of this high quality waterfront property
will commence in 2013.

its 

In 
Industrial  category  the  division  completed
construction of three warehouses at Walter Bay in Badili
and EWT’s bond store at Baruni. Further development of
Baruni  stage  3  comprising  a  3.3  hectare  subdivision  is
underway  and  construction  of  a  new  estate  in  Madang
incorporating  12  mixed-use  tenancies  commenced  in
December 2012.

Aims for 2013

Developments

Looking  ahead,  Pacific  Palms  Property anticipates
commencing the construction of eight warehouses at Six
Mile in Port Moresby, the Huon Industrial & Commercial
Centre  in  Lae,  a  joint  venture  retail  development  in
Madang  and  further  development  of  the  Baruni
warehousing. 

Land Acquisition

Property and land acquisition face a challenging market
where prices have increased to high levels over the last
four  years.  While  Pacific  Palms  Property will  continue  to
acquire strategic properties to add to its significant land
in  Port  Moresby  and  Lae,  current  market
banks 
conditions, coupled with capacity constraints brought on
by PNG’s land tenure system, have made this difficult in
recent years. To this extent Pacific Palms Property will be
considering  possible  joint  venture  arrangements  with
other major property owners.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

25

Property and Hotels

(continued)

26

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Property and Hotels

(continued)

CORAL SEA HOTELS 

Steamships’ Hotel division is known in PNG by its trading
name,  Coral  Sea  Hotels.  It  operates  nine  hotel  and
apartment  complexes  offering  full  hotel  facilities  and
serviced  apartments  as  well  as  extensive  meeting,
conference and banqueting facilities. 

Coral  Sea  Hotels is  the  largest  and  most  geographically
diverse hotel group in PNG. Today it offers a total of 626
hotel  rooms  and  135  apartments  in  PNG’s  major
commercial centres. The group of nine hotels comprises
the  Grand  Papua  Hotel,  the  Ela  Beach  Hotel,  Whittaker
Apartments and Gateway Hotel and Apartments in Port
Moresby;  the  Huon  Gulf  Hotel  and  Apartments  and
Melanesian Hotel and Apartments in Lae; the Highlander
Hotel  and  Apartments  in  Mount  Hagen;  the  Bird  of
Paradise  Hotel  and  Apartments  in  Goroka,  and  the
Coastwatchers Hotel in Madang. 

Performance for 2012

2012 was a year of consolidation and debt reduction for
Coral Sea Hotels. It followed a hectic period of expansion
in which the Gateway, Ela Beach and Highlander Hotels
added new rooms, restaurants and conference facilities.
These  facilities  performed  strongly  in  2012  and  have
further strengthened Coral Sea Hotels’position as a quality
provider  of  accommodation  and  conferencing  facilities
across the country. 

It  was  a  challenging  year  in  many  respects.  Coral  Sea
Hotels did not achieve budgeted growth in revenue per
available asset, especially for the division’s flagship hotel,
the  Grand  Papua  Hotel.  Business  confidence  and
corporate  guests  returned  after  the  elections,  with  the
division reporting strong overall trading in the latter part
of 2012.

Establishing  the  Grand  Papua  as  the  leading  five  star
international  hotel  in  the  country  was  the  division’s
greatest  challenge  in  2012.    Nonetheless,  by  year  end
occupancy  levels  had  nearly  reached  budgeted  figures.
Occupancy rates will continue to improve as the Grand 

Papua Hotel further establishes itself as PNG’s benchmark
for international service standards and product delivery.

Aims for 2013

Coral Sea Hotels’ expansion plans were further developed
in 2012. A redevelopment of the Melanesian Hotel in Lae
has  been  proposed,  along  with  an  expansion  of
conference  facilities  and  additional  rooms  in  Mount
Hagen,  expanded  staff  quarters  in  Port  Moresby,  new
food and beverage concepts for the Gateway Hotel and a
general upgrading of facilities across all hotels.

include  diversification 

New  opportunities  for  business  growth  are  also  being
considered.  These 
into  the
provision  of  budget  accommodation  in  Port  Moresby
and Lae, as well as the development of hotels in Western
Province,  which  will  capitalise  on  the  growth  of  oil  and
gas exploration in that region.

levels 

in  an 

increasingly
Maintaining  business 
competitive  market  will  be  a  significant  challenge  for
Coral  Sea  Hotels in  2013.  The  increased  supply  of  hotel
rooms and apartments, particularly in Port Moresby, has
increased  pressure  on  rates  and  occupancy  levels.  This
will continue into 2013. 

To counter this market shift, the Coral Sea Hotels sales and
marketing  team  will  be  expanded.  New  marketing
strategies  will  be  adopted,  not  only  focusing  on  direct
sales,  but  also  e-marketing  and  social  media
opportunities.   The  Coral Sea Hotels website  will  also  be
redeveloped to allow real time bookings and reservations
for  all  hotels  in  the  division.  Existing  relationships  with
tour  operators,  conference  organisers  and  travel  agents
will be strengthened.

As  competition  increases,  the  supply  of  skilled  staff  will
continue  to  be  a  challenge  across  PNG.  Recruitment,
training  and  the  retention  of  personnel  remain  key
priorities  for  the  Group.  Coral  Sea  Hotels is  currently
working with international and local training providers to
expand its apprenticeship training program, to introduce
a new cadet management scheme and to ensure all staff
work in a safe and secure environment that offers career
development prospects and job satisfaction.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

27

28

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Commercial

LAGA INDUSTRIES

Headquartered  in  Lae,  Laga  Industries is  PNG’s  premier
consumer  goods  business  and  the  country’s  leading
manufacturer  of 
ice  creams,  vegetable  oils,  drink
powders,  condiments  and  spirits.  The  division  is  also  a
distributor for international consumer goods companies
including  Diageo  and  Constellation  Wines.  Brands
include Gala Ice Cream, distributed from the Gala Parlours
found  in  most  leading  retail  supermarkets,  Laga  and
Highlands  Meadow  oils,  Kools  and  Sunripe  drinking
powders,  and  Trade  Winds  spirits  including  popular
ready-to-drink (RTD) premixed drinks. Laga Industries also
bottles  pure  drinking  water.  Operationally,  the  division
owns  a  plastics  manufacturing  plant  and  has  a  freezer
and dry goods distribution facility in Port Moresby, with
sales  offices  in  Madang,  Wewak,  Goroka,  Mt  Hagen,
Kimbe, Kavieng, Rabaul and Buka.

Performance in 2012

Laga Industries experienced some challenges in the first
half  of  2012,  but  recovered  to  record  year  on  year
revenue  improvement  overall.  Growth  was  driven  by  a
continued  strategic  focus  on  enhancing  distribution
improving  operating  efficiencies  and
channels, 
strengthening marketing efforts for key brands.

Expanded  distribution  systems  were  particularly
important for growth in the flagship ice cream category.
Laga  Industries’
ice  cream  cabinet  placement  program
was  implemented  in  2012,  with  the  goal  of  placing  ice
cream products “within arm’s reach of desire” for the PNG
consumer  and  now  has  a  total  of  nearly  1,000  chest
freezers  around  the  country. The  program  involved  the
continued expansion of Gala Parlours within major retail
centres, thereby improving brand visibility and the ease
in  which  consumers  can  access  Gala  products  across
PNG. 

Industries expanded  upon  this  program 

in
Laga 
December  2012  with  the  launch  of  the  mobile  vendor
trolley  program  in  Lae  and  Port  Moresby. These  trolleys
utilise eutectic plate technology; when the frozen plates
are inserted into the trolley they maintain a temperature
that allows the vendor to sell ice cream remotely for up to

eight  hours. The  division  plans  to  distribute  the  first  60
trolleys during the first quarter of 2013.

The  division’s  cooking  oil  products  were  affected  by
significant  changes  to  the  supply  of  bulk  oil  in  PNG
during  the  year.  Local  producers  of  palm  oil  could  only
supply 10 per cent of requirements in 2012, with 90 per
cent  of  the  required  quality  bulk  oil  sourced  from
alternatives in Indonesia and Malaysia. Future growth will
rely on ensuring its Highlands Meadow and Laga brands
remain competitive against increased supplies of cheap,
imported  bottled  cooking  oil,  which  began  to  arrive  in
PNG in late 2012. Improving efficiencies at the division’s
bottle  manufacture  and  oil  bottling  operations  is
paramount.

Laga Industries’ beverages category continued to grow in
2012,  despite  a  year  of  liquor  bans  in  a  number  of
provinces  due  to  the  PNG  general  elections.  RTD’s  and
bottled water enjoyed solid growth, while two new spirit
brands  were  launched  early  in  the  last  quarter:  McInnis
Scotch  whisky  and  Columbus  dark  rum,  with  repeat
orders indicating both are making progress.

investment 

Concerns  surrounding  the  erratic  public  power  supply
were  addressed 
in  an
in  2012,  with 
uninterruptible  power  supply  system.  The  system  has
already led to marked improvements in productivity and
machine  downtime.  Further  investments  were  made  to
improve the capacity of the division’s PET blow-moulding
plant  for  increased  volumes  of  oil  and  water  bottle
requirements,  and  for  additional  capacity  to  cope  with
growing powders and condiments volumes.

In  a  significant  development,  the  division’s  HACCP
accreditation  was  the  subject  of  a  site  audit  by  Exxon
Mobil,  which  declared  Laga  Industries compliant  to  the
international company’s requirements to supply water to
its employees.

Employee  development  and  training  at  all  levels  was  a
key focus for Laga Industries in 2012 and will continue to
be  so  in  2013.  The  division’s  supervisors  attended  a
number of courses throughout the year, including “Time
Management/Introduction  to  Supervision” and “How  to
Manage  People,” both  of  which  were  conducted  by
external  providers.  Several  senior  employees  were  also

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

29

Commercial

(continued)

sponsored  to  complete  appropriate  tertiary  courses,
while  various  operating  equipment  manufacturers
provided  training  for  key  equipment  operators  at
divisional sites.

Aims for 2013

Laga  Industries continues  to  support  the  government’s
efforts to encourage growth in the manufacturing sector.
It welcomes the removal of impediments to business and
the  reduction  of  regulatory  burdens,  the  lowering  of
import  tariffs  and  investment  in  land  and  transport
infrastructure. The division believes these reforms, when
completely implemented, should help to reduce the cost
of  business  within  the  industry  and  spur  continued,
sustainable growth.

in 

Whilst  competition  is  increasing,  Laga  Industries has
strength 
its  national  reach  and  supply  chain
distribution  network,  which  enables  it  to  maintain  its
competitiveness, especially in the ice cream category and
the  highly  competitive  vegetable  oil  and  alcoholic
beverages categories. Looking ahead, Laga Industries will
drive  growth  and  build  its  brands  through  ongoing
investment 
systems,
comprehensive strategic sales and marketing plans and
the efficient production of high quality products.

in  expanded  distribution 

Distribution

Laga Industries is committed to the further development
of its distribution spread through placement of additional
ice  cream  fridges  and  vendor  trolleys,  together  with
strategic  placement  of  reefer  freezers.  Ready  to  drink
fridges will also significantly increase in 2013.

New Product Development

Laga Industries will be reviewing new premium ice  cream
stick  lines,  cooking  oil  and  bottled  water  sizes,  and
beverage  offerings  as  well  as  development  of  the  food
service category.

Operating Efficiencies

A key focus for 2013 will be on preventative maintenance
and  equipment  replacement  as  the  business  continues
to  grow,  coupled  with  automation  and  increased  stock
turn initiatives.

DATEC

Datec (PNG) Limited (Datec) has been operating in PNG
for 27 years and is the country’s premier information and
communications technology (ICT) company and Internet
Service  Provider  (ISP).  Datec provides  a  suite  of  ICT
solutions to assist companies through the entire asset life
cycle,  from  sourcing  equipment  to  technical  support,
authorised  repairs,  maintenance  and  retiring  old
equipment. Datec’s internet services are mainly delivered
to the corporate sector and the division offers the fastest
internet of any provider in PNG. 

The business includes a data centre in Port Moresby, the
largest  computer  retail  store  in  the  country  (the  Datec
Megastore) as well as corporate and degree-level training
and  education  through  the  Datec  Learning  Centre  (an
accredited academic certificate and diploma IT program).
The 
ICT  services  provided  cover  network  and
communications,  uninterruptible  power  supply  (UPS),
office automation and even software development. 

Professional  services  backup  is  also  a  key  part  of  the
business and Datec is an accredited warranty centre for
IBM,  HP,  Acer,  PowerWare,  Lenovo,  Apple  and  Canon.  In
addition,  the  division  has  developed  a  closed-circuit TV
(CCTV)  and  cabling  business  that  designs,  installs  and
services CCTV and electronic surveillance systems, as well
as full service project management capability. Corporate
sector sales are driven by the corporate sales team, whilst
home users are catered for through the Datec Megastore.

Performance in 2012

Datec registered high demand for most business lines in
2012. Although revenues were higher than 2011, profits
were  slightly  down  due  to  the  completion  of  a  major
service contract during the year. 

The  division’s  primary  focus  in  2012  was  to  build  a
scalable  platform  in  order  to  leverage  future  growth  in
the  small  and  medium  business  market,  which  meant
ensuring  efficient  delivery  and  servicing  of  the  current
product range. 

The  division  experienced  growth  in  its  training  and
education  business  in  2012  and  has  forecast  another

30

Steamships Trading Company Limited

31

Commercial

(continued)

strong  year  in  2013.  The  Retail  Megastore,  UPS,  CCTV,
cabling and Canon Imaging businesses also experienced
growth 
inventory
management and stronger corporate relationships. 

in  2012,  driven  by 

improved 

In  a  significant  development,  Datec was  awarded  an
international gateway licence in 2012 and is now able to
provide  high  quality  internet  services  via  international
suppliers, bypassing Telikom PNG. Datec also completed
construction of next generation ISP infrastructure during
2012, which will provide customers with more affordable,
reliable and faster internet access. 

Aims for 2013

Datec’s leading market position has given the division the
confidence  to  recruit  and  train  local  staff  in  both  sales
and  technical  support,  which  in  turn  has  further
strengthened  its  competitive  position.  Looking  forward,
Datec plans to maintain its position as a market leader by
innovating, introducing new products and adding value
through its status as a warranty centre for major products.  

The development and launch of the PNG Government’s
national  gateway  network  is  set  to  provide  customers
with an additional range of ISP services including metro
area Ethernet, cloud computing, domain hosting, disaster
recovery,  virtual  private  server  and  dedicated  physical
server hosting. Datec is positioning itself to capitalise on
this.

The Datec Learning Centre is a nascent business which is
increasingly  providing  brand  awareness  and  loyalty.
Datec will  continue  to  focus  on  its  development  as
demand for education grows in PNG.

Datec’s retail  operations  will  be  expanded  into  the
Highlands  region 
in  2013  through  new  agency
partnerships. The division’s professional services offering
will continue to focus on accredited warranty work, but
will  increasingly  provide  a  staff  outsourcing  solution  to
corporate  customers.  This  will  secure  a  knock-on
advantage to other areas of the business.

32

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Joint Ventures

COLGATE PALMOLIVE (PNG)

PACIFIC TOWING

interest 

Steamships  Trading  Company  holds  a  50  per  cent
in  Colgate-Palmolive  (PNG)  Ltd
beneficial 
(Colgate),  a  company  that  manufactures  and  distributes
oral,  personal,  home,  and  fabric  care  products  in  PNG.
Management  control  is  exercised  by  Colgate-Palmolive
Australia.

Performance in 2012

Colgate had  a  strong  year  in  2012,  exceeding  both
revenue and margin figures from the previous year and
against  budget  expectations.  The  division  managed  to
capitalise on the generally buoyant economy which has
increased the demand for consumer goods.  At the same
time  Colgate  has  also  leveraged  the  cost  reductions
brought  on  by  changes  in  foreign  exchange  and  PNG
duty conditions to implement pricing adjustments in the
market.  

The division developed and focused on two key strategic
programs  in  2012.  The  first  was  aimed  at  building
Colgate’s key  brands  in  PNG  and  included  establishing
professional  and  government  endorsement  for  the
successful  Bright  Smiles  Bright  Future  program  for
children  and  adults  (BSBF/BSFA)  and  also  the  hand
hygiene  program  for  personal  care.  The  second,  an
innovation  growth  strategy,  involved  the  re-launch  of
Cold  Power  laundry  powder  with  new  enzymatic
formulation,  as  well  as  improved  brand  activation
campaigns in alignment with emerging market priorities. 

Aims for 2013

Looking  forward,  Colgate will  continue  to  align  its  PNG
operations  more  closely  with  the  Pan-Pacific  region  (Fiji
and  South  Pacific  island  countries)  and  other  emerging
market  operations  to  leverage  synergies  and  best
practices in all areas.  

is  a 

Established  in  1977  Pacific  Towing  PNG  Limited  (Pacific
joint  venture  between  Svitzer  and
Towing) 
Steamships  Trading  Company,  in  which  Steamships
maintains a 50 per cent beneficial interest. Pacific Towing
is headquartered in Port Moresby and provides specialist
and  interrelated  services  to  the  marine  industry.  These
comprise  harbour  towage  and  mooring  services,
terminal,  and  ocean  towage,  diving,  salvage  and
emergency  response  services.  The  division  operates  22
vessels, including tugs and line boats, in five ports across
PNG (Port Moresby, Lae, Rabaul, Kimbe and Madang). 

Performance in 2012

2012  proved  to  be  a  challenging  year  for  the  division,
which secured a lower number of consolidated jobs than
previous  years  and  recorded  only  modest  year  on  year
revenue growth. 

Towage  services  were  maintained  at  the  key  regional
ports  throughout  2012,  with  mixed  volumes  recorded
across  the  provinces.  Peak  traffic  levels  at  Port  Moresby
eased during the year, due to a noticeable reduction in
shipping  for  the  PNG  LNG  Project.  This  was  somewhat
offset  by  an  increase  in  volumes  at  the  port  of  Lae.
Towards the latter part of 2012 services were extended to
the  Solomon  Islands  with  the  vessel,  “Turanguna,”
repositioned to Honiara.

There  were  few  salvage  opportunities  in  2012,  and  no
new  salvage  contracts  were  secured.  However,  a
successful  outcome  was  achieved  through  arbitration
during the second part of the year in connection with the
“2010 Hai Soon 5” salvage claim. 

Commercial  dive  operations 
recorded  a  strong
performance  after  another  busy  year.  Further  diver
training courses in Australia are also scheduled for 2013.
Accreditation  for  the  provision  of  in-water  class  surveys
was  maintained  with 
IACS  member
organisations.

leading 

Aims for 2013

The  age  of  the  fleet,  high  maintenance  costs  and
difficulties associated with sourcing certified crew remain
a concern for the business and will be addressed as key
priorities in 2013. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

33

Sustainability

SUSTAINABILITY: A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS

“Sustainability to the Steamships Group represents
a  meaningful  investment  in  our  people’s  future,  a
fundamental commitment to the highest standards
of  health  and  safety  at  work,  practical  efforts  to
improve  the  lives  of  the  communities  in  which  we
operate  and  genuine  measures  to  ensure  we
minimise any negative environmental impacts from
our  diverse  activities.  Only  by  focusing  on  these
areas will Steamships be able to ensure that our long
term  growth,  along  with  the  economic  and  social
development  of  Papua  New  Guinea, 
is  truly
sustainable.”  

In  2011  Steamships 
launched  a  comprehensive
sustainability  strategy,  which  focused  the  Group’s
commitment 
sustainable  development  and
established mechanisms to improve the management of
its operational impacts. 

to 

A  Sustainability  Action  Group  was  created  to  oversee
initiatives focused in three broad areas, Our People, Our
Environment and Our Community. Key benchmarks were
developed  in  line  with  one  of  the  leading  global
standards  for  sustainability  reporting  –  the  Global
Reporting Initiative (GRI). Steamships’ staff were initiated
in  data  collection  against  these  benchmarks  and  the
Group  was  able  to  report  on 
in
establishing  the  new  framework  in  the  2011  Annual
Report.

initial  progress 

In  2012,  the  focus  was  on  improving  the  sustainability
program  and  embedding  it  in  Steamships’ business
practices.  Plans  and  targets  were  revised,  staff  were
trained  on  monitoring  procedures,  reporting  structures
were  established  and  integrated  into  management
systems, and awareness programs were implemented to
have ‘buy in’ from all Steamships staff. 

Inevitably  there  were  ‘teething  problems’.  These  are
discussed  in  greater  detail  in  the  following  section. The
strategy in 2012 was to address them in the early stages
of  the  program’s  development.  The  result  is  that
Steamships has now established a platform for accurate
and reliable sustainability reporting which will benefit the
Group for years to come.

Steamships  celebrated  a  number  of  sustainability
successes  in  2012. Various  new  employee  health,  safety
and  security  initiatives  were  launched  in  areas  such  as
first  aid,  drug  and  alcohol  abuse,  TB  and  malaria.
Enhanced  training  and  development  programs 
in
general  business  skills  together  with  health  and  safety
were a feature. Steamships successfully implemented its
Graduate Accountant Program during the year, launched
a Graduate Development Program and confirmed plans
to  launch  a  group-wide  Management  Development
Program in 2013. Two Steamships employees completed
Masters  Degrees  in  the  UK  under  the  Chevening
Scholarship. 

A notable development was Steamships’ announcement
in  early  2012  of  the  inaugural  recipient  of  the  Swire
Conservation  Scholarship 
in  Forest  Science  and
Conservation.  At  the  community  level  Steamships
funding  was  again  significant,  with  over  K1.6  million
provided  to  worthy  programs  in  health  and  social
welfare, education, environment and sports.

Steamships’ sustainability strategy continues to grow and
evolve. The  Group  remains  steadfast  in  its  commitment
to  supporting  the  people  it  employs,  bettering  the
communities  in  which  it  operates  and  reducing  the
impacts it has on PNG’s unique environment.  It does so
because it understands that its long-term business goals
can  only  be  achieved  if  its  business  operations  are
imbued with the principles of sustainable development. 

STEAMSHIPS  TRADING  COMPANY  &  THE  GLOBAL
REPORTING INITIATIVE

Steamships utilises the Global Reporting Initiative’s G3.1
Guidelines  as  a 
its  sustainability
monitoring  and  reporting.  Steamships  has  based  its
reporting on a C level of application of the GRI indicators.

framework 

for 

reported  as  management  systems 

The 2011 annual report served as an introduction to the
Group’s  sustainability  initiatives  and  plans.  Specific  data
for
was  not 
monitoring and reporting were being established across
the Group. These systems were enhanced in 2012 and are
still  being  proven,  particularly  for  reporting  on  energy
consumption,  water  and  greenhouse  gas  emissions.
Whilst the Group collected data against all selected GRI’s
in  2012,  it  became  apparent  that  there  were  some

34

Steamships Trading Company Limited

full page pic (environment)

35

Sustainability (continued)

deficiencies, which are being reviewed for correction. The

across  the  whole  Group  and  to  cover  more  of  the  GRI

aim is to establish reliable data sets to enable auditing of

reporting  requirements  on  a  progressive  basis  as  its

the reporting under the GRI model. This report therefore

serves as an update on sustainability initiatives and plans,

and  it  is  the  Group’s  intention  to  publish  primary  data,

with a prior year comparative, in its 2013 results.

The full list of GRI Indicators adopted by Steamships can

be found below. Steamships is committed to expanding

systems  mature  over  time.  Steamships  also  aims  to

elevate transparency in its corporate governance and to

align with a C+ level of GRI reporting. In 2013 Steamships

will  undertake  a  full  disclosure  review  in  line  with  the

GRI’s G4 reporting guidelines set to be launched in May

2013, with a view to adopting best practice reporting for

reporting  systems  to  provide  a  larger  set  of  data  from

the Group.

GRI GUIDELINES ADOPTED BY STEAMSHIPS TRADING COMPANY

AREA OF INTEREST

ASPECT

Economic  Performance  Economic performance

GRI

EC1

Market Presence

EC7

Labour Practices, Staff
Development and
Welfare Performance 

Employment

Occupational Health
and Safety

LA1

LA2

LA6

LA7

Training and Education

LA10

INDICATOR

Direct economic value generated and distributed,
including revenues, operating costs, employee
compensation, retained earnings, and payments to
capital providers and governments

Procedures for local hiring and proportion of senior
management hired from the local community at
locations of significant operation

Total workforce by employment type, employment 
contract, and region, broken down by gender

Total number and rate of new employee hires and
employee turnover by age group, gender, and region

Percentage of total workforce represented in formal 
joint management–worker health and safety
committees that help monitor and advise on
occupational health and safety programs

Rates of injury, occupational diseases, lost days, and
absenteeism, and total number of work-related
fatalities, by region and by gender

Average hours of training per year per employee by
gender, and by employee category

Environmental
Performance 

Community
Engagement

36

Energy

EN3

Direct energy consumption by primary energy source

Water

Emissions, Effluent,
and Waste

Local community
support

EN4 

EN8

EN16

Indirect energy consumption by primary source

Total water withdrawal by source

Total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by
weight

Part of
EC1

Funds committed to Community Health and Social 
Welfare, Education, Sports and Culture development 

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Steamships’ Sustainability Focus Areas

OUR PEOPLE

provision  of  clear  performance  objectives  and  regular
feedback are crucial components in the process.

Steamships understands the importance of its people to
achieving long-term business success. A strong focus on
people  is  one  of  the  three  pillars  of  Steamships’
Sustainability  Strategy.  The  Group  is  one  of  the  largest
private  employers  in  PNG.  It  recognises  that  efforts  to
build  local  talent  benefit  both  the  Group  and  the
country’s  overall  development.  An  effective  and
motivated  team  of ‘Steamies,’ as  Steamships’ employees
are  affectionately  known,  is  at  the  heart  of  the  Group’s
ability  to  deliver  continued  value  to  customers  and
shareholders.

Steamships’ People Strategy

Steamships’
“People” strategy  aims  to  create  an
environment  that  promotes  an  engaged  workforce,
encourages the development of both hard and soft skills
and  facilitates  an  emerging  generation  of  leaders.  The

Steamships’ goal  is  to  nurture  an  enjoyable,  rewarding
and  long-term  career  for  its  employees.  The  Group
understands  that  by  building  a  culture  of  trust,  respect,
fairness,  safety  and 
foster  an
environment that helps people succeed. To ensure this, it
has prioritised education, occupational safety, and health
as Key Performance Indicators. 

inclusivity 

it  can 

It  was  expanded 

Steamships’ ”People and Culture” web portal provides the
organisation with a robust administrative platform for its
human  resources. 
in  2012  to
significantly 
improve  the  Group’s  transparency  by
enhancing  monitoring  and  reporting  capabilities  in  the
areas of Health, Safety, Security and the Environment. An
expansion  of  this  program  over  the  coming  years  will
improve  human  resource  capabilities,  to  the  benefit  of
the Group and its people.

37

Steamships’ Sustainability Focus Areas

(continued)

OUR PEOPLE: Review of Activities and Objectives

2012 HIGHLIGHTS

2013 OBJECTIVES

Developed  action  plans  for  divisional  operations  in
training,  performance  management,  procedures  and
policies.

Established a ‘first’Group wide ‘People Compass’survey
seeking feedback on working with Steamships. Various
observations  and  commitments  will  be  carried
forward to 2013.

Implement  strategies  to  deliver  on  action  plans
against these areas. Specifically the launch of a formal
Performance Management system driven from the HR
Portal and launch of ‘Talent Boards’ to identify and plan
for personnel development. The Group also intends to
embed welfare and gender committees in divisions to
help  address  directly  employees  concerns  with
management.

Implemented  a  top  down  commitment  to  a  Health
and  Safety  culture  and  raised  senior  management
leadership and cultural buy in at all levels.

Delivery  of  training  and  awareness  programs  for
divisional  management  &  staff  that  targets  specific
action plans to foster a Health and Safety culture.

Conducted  a  schedule  of  audits  across  the  year  and
improved  the  audit  process  by  developing  internal
HSSE Audit guidelines.

Complete a full employee and business asset external
security  review,  implementing  the  recommendations
as appropriate.

Developed new in house occupational health training
modules for the specific needs of each Division.

Implement  the  training  modules  across  the  Group.
Specifically  the  launch  of  an  annual  internal  group
‘Health Expo’.

Reviewed  training  budgets  to  more  effectively  target
spending on value added skills development.

Implement  quarterly  training  reviews  to  establish
qualitative,  quantitative  ROI  outcomes  for  the  2013
training  strategy.  Specifically  the  development  of  a
training skills matrix by job type.

Developed  a  Group-wide  Graduate  Development
Program (GDP).

Implementation  of  the  GDP  and  establishment  of  a
Management Development Program.

Improved  the  usage  and  functionality  offered  by  the
HR Portal.

Deploy  a  new  module  for  HSSE  within  the  Portal  to
replace  an  ageing  Safeguard  program.  Implement
new initiatives within the HR Portal to administer Our
People more effectively.

38

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Steamships’ Sustainability Focus Areas

(continued)

Health

Steamships’ efforts to improve employee knowledge and
awareness of key health issues have gained traction and
been well supported in all business divisions during 2012.
Staff actively participated in awareness programs for first
aid, drug and alcohol abuse, oral health, HIV, AIDS, Malaria
and TB.

The  DOTS  (Directly  Observed  Treatment  Short  Course)
program, a treatment strategy for TB, was implemented
in  2012  and  well  received.  The  Group’s  Occupational
Health  Nurse  conducted  tests  in  high  risk  areas  of  the
business  that  led  to  the  provision  of  a  number  of
treatments and contributed to a significant improvement
in TB  awareness.  Further  health  training  and  awareness
initiatives are planned for 2013.

Safety 

Steamships  works  hard  to  ensure  that  safety  is  a
management priority at all levels of the organisation. The
Group prioritises a “Wok Seif” culture and has introduced
a “Zero Harm” mandate aimed at ensuring it operates as
an incident-free organisation. In order to achieve this, the
Group is implementing a safety management system in
which  all  incidents  are  recorded  and  analysed.  In
addition,  in  2012  Steamships  developed  a  robust
reporting 
implement
corrective actions and to reduce repeat occurrences. 

framework  to 

identify  and 

The  Group  has  established  formal  management-worker
health  and  safety  committees  in  all  corporate  divisions.
These  committees  provide  advice  on  occupational
health and safety issues and help monitor key initiatives.
They  also  ensure  equitable  input  from  all  levels  of  staff.
The  results  so  far  have  been  impressive,  although  more
work is needed to further develop a robust framework for
reporting.

Additional steps to enhance safety performance in 2012
included  improved  resourcing,  proactive  maintenance
scheduling  and  the  provision  of  specialist  training.
Internal and external safety audits were conducted in all
divisions. The number of external audits will be increased
in  2013  in  an  effort  to  ensure  safety  management
improvements. 

increased  safety 

focus  has  played  a
Steamships’
significant  role  in  improving  overall  safety  statistics  and
Group-wide awareness of near misses. Total injuries and
lost days from work-related injuries continued to decline
in 2012.

Security

Security  is  a  fundamental  concern  for  all  businesses
operating in PNG. Robberies and assaults are increasingly
common  in  PNG’s  commercial  centres,  particularly  Port
Moresby and Lae. Unfortunately several Steamships staff
were again affected by this in 2012.

Steamships reviewed its security policies and procedures
in  2012  in  an  effort  to  minimise  security  risks  within  its
current operating environments. People and assets were
a  strategic  focus.  Regular  security  briefs  and  site  audits
were carried out to ensure worksite security policies were
being implemented. Action plans were further refined to
provide all staff with security guidance and assistance in
managing  situations  that  occur  within  and  outside  the
workplace.  The  Group  has  also  implemented  an  EAP
(Employee  Assistance  Program)  to  assist  employees
affected  by 
levels  of  public  violence,
increased 
carjackings and hold-ups.

Steamships intends to conduct external security audits of
all company premises in 2013. This will ensure all divisions
remain  vigilant  and  proactive  regarding  the  security  of
the Group’s people and assets. 

Training and Development

Staff  training  and  development  is  a  cornerstone  of
Steamships’ People  Strategy.  In  2012,  the  Group  again
invested  heavily  in  educational  initiatives  across  the
organisation,  spending  approximately  K3.9  million  to
deliver close to 80,000 hours of staff training.

Steamships’ divisions  have  established  independent
training and development programs which seek to blend
in-house  educational  initiatives  for  specific  needs  and
skills with external opportunities for training in areas such
as  management,  occupational  safety,  communication,
first  aid,  and  technical/operational  training  (includes
plant & equipment operations and specialised training to
meet  industry  &  international  standards).  For  example,

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

39

Steamships’ Sustainability Focus Areas

(continued)

Consort Express runs a Deck and Engineering Cadetship
program,  seagoing  staff  training  at  the  PNG  Maritime
College and stevedore and yard staff training programs.

Steamships’ Graduate  Accountant  Program  was
successfully 
in  2012  and  will  assist
participants to complete their professional qualifications
and become chartered accountants within the Group. 

implemented 

Steamships will pursue a rigorous training and awareness
program  in  2013. This  will  be  facilitated  by  the  Group’s
Corporate Sustainability Department and focuses on the
updated  HSSE  procedures  that  were  circulated  in  2012.
Important  health  training  and  awareness  activities  are
also included in the 2013 program.

Steamships  will  launch  a  Group-wide  Management
Development Program in 2013. This program will target
high calibre employees, aiming to develop the key skills
and core competencies required for high performance at
management  level.  Plans  to  launch  a  Group-wide
Graduate  Development  Program  (Management  Trainee
scheme)  are  also  underway.  Together,  these  programs
will establish the framework for a long term effort to build
local  management  talent  which  can  sustain  the
Steamships business into the future.

Steamships’ relationship with majority shareholder, Swire,
continues to provide Group managers with opportunities
to  further  their  development  through  a  variety  of
executive  education  courses  provided  by  INSEAD  in
Singapore  and  France.  Swire’s 
talent
management  organisation, ‘Ethos,’ also  offers  leadership
and development initiatives for Steamships’ executives.

internal 

Steamships  is  proud  of  the  role  it  plays  in  assisting
promising  young  Papua  New  Guineans  to  further  their
education.  Each  year  Steamships  and  Swire  fund  and
support  two  Chevening  Scholarships  for  Papua  New
Guineans  in  conjunction  with  the  UK  Government. The
program  provides  candidates  with  the  opportunity  for
postgraduate  study  in  UK  universities.  Two  internal
candidates were accepted into the prestigious program
in 2012, while one candidate has been accepted to study
a Master of Business in 2013. This scheme will be focused
on  external  candidates  in  future,  however  may  provide
Steamships with an employment opportunity thereafter. 

Company Culture

Steamships strives to be a “PNG Employer of Choice”. The
Group acknowledges the efforts of its people, ensures fair
remuneration  and  transparent  wealth  and  benefits
distribution.  It  understands  that  the  development  of  a
strong organisational culture is not possible without the
ongoing  input  of  its  people  and  has  encouraged  both
informal  input  and  participation  in  its  annual  employee
survey. 

Continued  business  expansion  in  2012  ensured  that
Steamships’ staff  numbers  increased.   The  proportion  of
PNG nationals in senior management positions also grew,
although  the  percentage  is  still  below  expectations.
Steamships  aims  to  improve  these  numbers  organically
in  the  years  ahead  through  expansion  of  the  Graduate
and  Management  Development  Programs  and  use  of
external training sources.

Steamships is committed to fostering diversity at all levels
of operation. Gender diversity is a particular focus and the
Group  considers  itself  a  leader  in  this  area.  Steamships
has  a  female  board  member  –  Lady Winifred  Kamit  has
been  a  Director  since  2005  –  and  various  female
employees in management and supervisory roles across
its  Divisions.  In  2012,  the  number  of  female  citizen
employees increased by close to 22 per cent. By building
an  inclusive  culture,  improving  talent  management,
enhancing  recruitment  practices  and  ensuring  pay
equity  the  Group  believes  this  number  will  continue  to
grow in 2013.

Steamships’ Employee Strength and Diversity 2012

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter

2012

2012

2012

2012

Budget Staff Strength 3,105

3,101

3,599

3,658

Actual Staff Strength

3,322

3,233

3,775

3,742

Non Citizen (M/F)

88

82

95

107

Citizen (M)

Citizen (F)

Casual FTE

2,102

2,040

2,355

2,306

862

275

863

253

939

386

1,048

281

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Steamships’ Sustainability Focus Areas

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CASE STUDY 1: 

Tackling domestic violence in PNG

Steamships is working alongside the Coalition for Change PNG Inc (CFC) to bring attention to violence against women in
PNG. Steamships has been a supporter of the CFC for some time and contributed K20,000 to the organisation in 2012. 

Chaired by Lady Winifred Kamit CBE, the CFC is seeking to bring about appropriate policy and legislative reform for PNG.
Since its inception in 2008 the CFC has been working to advance the Family Protection Bill, which has been endorsed by
the Attorney General and the State Solicitors Offices and in 2012 was with PNG’s National Executive Council.

Steamships believes the passage of the Bill is important to help women who are victims of domestic violence to have a
voice.  The  Group  is  also  considering  introducing  a  policy  on  violence  which  impacts  the  workplace  to  protect  its
employees, over 1,000 of whom are female. If endorsed, Steamships believes it will become the first corporate entity in
PNG to have a policy that addresses the issue of domestic violence.

CASE STUDY 2: 

Westpac Women in Business

Steamships has continued its partnership with Westpac Bank PNG Limited as a platinum sponsor of the annual Westpac
Women in Business Awards. 

Specifically the Group provided the “Steamships Public Sector Award”, which recognises outstanding achievement by a
female manager in the public sector who has contributed significantly to the performance of any government service. 
The award went to Eleina Butuna, who is a lecturer at the University of Papua New Guinea.

Steamships  is  committed  to  developing  and  encouraging  its  female  employees  to  excel  in  their  respective  roles. The
Group  was  thrilled  when  Naime Tom,  port  supervisor  with  Steamships’ Kiunga  Stevedoring,  received  the  IBBM Young
Achiever’s Award, which recognises outstanding achievement by a young woman in any category under the age of 30. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

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OUR ENVIRONMENT

Environmental  sustainability  is  the  second  pillar  of
Steamships’ Sustainability  Strategy.  It  is  a  corporate
priority and a Key Performance Indicator for the Group.

Papua  New  Guinea  has  a 
remarkably  diverse
environment,  from  mountain  ranges  rising  to  4,400
metres above sea level to hot, humid lowland rainforests
and  swamps.  It  is  also  home  to  unique  marine  areas
including  diverse  coral  reefs,  mangrove  forests  and
coastal  wetlands.  A  vast  number  of  plant,  mammal,
reptile,  fish  and  bird  species  highlight  the  incredible
biodiversity of the country.

Steamships  is  very  aware  of  the  potential  impacts  its
this  unique
business  operations  can  have  on 
environment  and 
its
footprint  at  every  stage  of  each  operational  process
across the Group.

is  committed  to  minimising 

Approach to Environmental Sustainability

Coordinated by the Group HSSE Manager, Environmental
Aspects  &  Impacts  (EAIs)  registries  are  being  developed
and implemented in each Division. EAIs identify, monitor
and  update  Divisions  on  the  specific  environmental

impacts  of  business  operations  and  support  the
development  of  plans  to  minimise  or  eliminate  these.
Progress on EAIs is monitored across the year through an
inspection and audit process.

Steamships firmly believes that environmental education
is one of the most effective ways to ensure the principles
of  environmental  sustainability  are  understood  and
adopted  within  the  Group  and  the  community.
Steamships  was  an  active  participant 
in  various
community  environmental  programs  in  2012,  often
working in collaboration with the PNG Government, local
community groups and other private companies. 

The Group was again a major supporter of PNG’s World
Environment  Day  celebrations,  because  of  its  focus  on
educating  children  about  conservation  and  the  PNG
environment. 
  Steamships  supported  the  school
component of the celebrations by sponsoring the prizes
and  awards  for  the  competition  “Best  Environmentally
Friendly  School” at  five  schools  in  the  National  Capital
District, as well as the “School Innovation Project.”

Progress  continues  at  the  Swire  Papua  New  Guinea
Rainforest  Study  (SPRS),  with  plans  to  develop  five  new
forest plots being finalised in 2012. The project continues
to be well supported by local communities and has so far
provided access to formal education to over 200 children
in the research area. 

Steamships  was  pleased  to  announce  the  inaugural
recipient of the Swire Conservation Scholarship in Forest
Science and Conservation during 2012. This Scholarship,
funded  by  the  Swire  Educational Trust,  aims  to  support
individuals  of  exceptional  promise 
in  developing
leadership  roles  in  forest  science  and  management  in
PNG. It provides the opportunity for a student from PNG
to  achieve  a  Master  of  Science  by  research  at  an
international university of their choice.

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OUR ENVIRONMENT: Review of Activities and Objectives

2012 HIGHLIGHTS

2013 OBJECTIVES

Commenced  development  of  2012  environmental
action plans for Divisions.

Completion and implementation of action plans.

Included  Environmental  Aspects  and 
registries in the regular HSSE internal audit process.

Impacts

Environmental  Aspects  and  Impacts  registries  to  be
implemented in all Divisions.

Promoted  conservation  and  sustainability  education
with  the  introduction  of  the  Swire  Conservation
Scholarship.

A  further  scholarship  will  be  offered  in  2013  to  assist
citizens wishing to pursue a Master course in this field. 

Major sponsor of World Environment Day activities in
PNG.

Increase support to K160,000.

Designed  Group  HSSE  Portal  facility  to  replace
Safeguard.

Launch HSSE Portal.  Increase training and awareness
to improve quality of data entry.

Introduced  waste  management  to  Divisions  through
waste management survey.

Waste management plan to be developed. Training to
increase awareness of different waste streams.

Started compiling baseline environmental data. 

Improve  data  integrity  for  CO2  emissions  and  water
use.

Energy Use, Water Use and Environmental
Emissions

action  items  for  lowering  emissions,  energy  and  water
usage and improving efficiency. 

In 2011, Steamships developed mechanisms to report on
direct  and  indirect  energy  consumption  by  primary
source, greenhouse gas emissions and water usage with
a view to manage and improve long term environmental
impacts. Collecting and reporting accurate baseline data
across the Group started in 2012. Some divisions utilised
EAIs  with  great  success. These  registries  helped  identify

For  example,  Laga  Industries  found  that  excessive  fuel
use by the division’s transport fleet was leading to high
emissions and costs. In response, Laga began monitoring
mileage  usage  and  plans  to  purchase  diesel  car
replacements. In its examination of waste management,
Laga  also  found  waste  oil  was  draining  from  workshop
equipment,  risking  soil  contamination  and  water

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

43

Steamships’ Sustainability Focus Areas

(continued)

pollution from runoff. As a solution, Laga installed a waste
oil  collection  tank  and  implemented  an  awareness
program for proper oil handling procedures.

In  2012  both  Steamships  Shipping  and  East  West
Transport  embarked  on  a  fleet  replacement  program
which  specifically  targeted  improved  fuel  efficiency  in
new  ship  and  prime  mover  capacity,  the  former
estimated  at  15  per  cent  and  the  latter  at  33  per  cent.
Consort Express is working with a local manufacturer to
investigate the potential for power generation from ship
and machinery waste oil.

Pacific Palms Property was able to identify high electricity
usage,  costs  and  greenhouse  gas  emissions  at  the
Company’s plaza complex, NGI office and head office. In
response,  management  launched  a  program  to  use
energy-saving lamps and efficient electrical goods in all
buildings. A staff awareness campaign was also launched
to communicate energy saving procedures.

In  2013,  Steamships  will  implement  “Environmental
Aspects  and  Impacts” registries  in  all  divisions.  Progress
implementing  corrective  actions  will  be  monitored  to
ensure actions are closed within required timeframes.

CASE STUDY 3: 

Rainforest study welcomes Swire Conservation Scholarship

Rainforests are a vital part of PNG, with this country home to the third-largest tract of rainforest in the world. They shape
the country’s climate, representing life and livelihood to much of the PNG population. Given such importance, it is critical
that  PNG  actively  and  correctly  manages  its  rainforest  and  the  land  use  needs  of  mining,  commercial  forestry  and
agriculture.

A  fundamental  requirement  for  sustaining  the  value  of  tropical  forests  in  the  long  term  is  improved  scientific
understanding  of  how  these  systems  work.  In  2008  Steamships’ majority  shareholder,  John  Swire  &  Sons  Limited,
committed US$250,000 to establish the Swire PNG Rainforest Study (SPRS). The project has made good progress and in
2010 Steamships Chairman Bill Rothery officially launched the Swire Research Centre at Wanang in the Madang Province.

In 2012 the SPRS welcomed the establishment of the Swire Conservation Scholarship in Forest Science and Conservation,
funded  by  the  Swire  Educational  Trust.  Its  purpose  is  to  support  individuals  of  exceptional  promise  in  developing
leadership  roles  in  forest  science  and  management  in  Papua  New  Guinea,  with  the  aim  of  improving  long-term
sustainable  management  of  the  nation’s  tropical  forests.  The  scholarship  provides  a  talented  student  from  PNG  the
opportunity to study for a Master of Science degree by research at an international university of their choice.

Applications  were  sought  in  February  2012  and  following  an  exhaustive  process  of  interviews  and  study  reviews  by  a
selection committee of national and international academics and advisers, the inaugural scholarship was awarded in July
to Bega Inaho, from Asaro in Eastern Highlands Province.

Bega  completed  an  undergraduate  degree  in  biology  at  the  University  of  Papua  New  Guinea  in  2007  and  joined  the
Institute of Biological Research (IBR) in Goroka as a field assistant. The IBR sponsored him to continue studying for Honours
at the University of Papua New Guinea in 2012. With the award of the Swire Conservation Scholarship, Bega has said he
intends  to  study  tropical  forest  biology  and  conservation,  with  particular  interest  in  altitudinal  variations  in  rainforest
composition, structure and biodiversity in PNG.

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OUR COMMUNITY

Community  is  the  third  and  final  pillar  of  Steamships’
Sustainability  Strategy.  Community  structures  are  very
important 
in  Papua  New  Guinea  which,  with  a
population of seven million, is home to some 700 distinct
and diverse tribes and over 830 known languages. Tribal
traditions and community culture remain strong in spite
of  the  various  social  challenges  associated  with  a  fast-
growing economy and modernising nation.

Steamships  recognises  the 
importance  of  strong
relations with the communities in which it operates.  They
provide  mutual  benefits  for  the  Group  and  community
local  and  national
towards 
and  aid  progress 
development goals.

Approach to Community Development

Steamships  approach  to  community  development  is
based on adding value to the communities in which the
Group operates, over and above the economic benefits
levies  and
derived  from  employment,  taxes  and 
associated  businesses.  The  Steamships  community
investment  program  targets  four  key  areas:  health  and
social welfare, education, sports and culture. Funding to
these areas and the environmental initiatives mentioned
earlier,  was  over  K1.6  million  in  2012.  Steamships’
community  strategy  is  to  ensure  effectiveness  by
focusing  financial  support  on  a  select  group  of  larger,
high  impact  activities.    An  audit  of  activities  was
conducted in 2012 and led to the addition of several new
community initiatives during the year. 

Steamships’ divisions  support  various  initiatives  at  the
local level in which they operate, over and above those
supported  by  the  Group.  For  example,  Pacific  Palms
Property has pursued initiatives with community groups
in Badili such as the upgrading of local sports fields. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

47

Steamships’ Sustainability Focus Areas

(continued)

OUR COMMUNITY: Review of Activities and Objectives

2012 HIGHLIGHTS

2013 OBJECTIVES

Initiated a program of community investment valued
at over K1.6 million. 

Advanced  a  number  of  community  engagement
activities at the division level.

Conducted an audit of activities and identified several
new  programs  and  existing  programs  that  warrant
further support.

Appointment  of  a  General  Manager  for  Corporate
Affairs  who  will  further  enhance  the  impact  of  our
community investment program.

Increase overall spend to approximately K2.03 million,
together with the donation of land to the 2015 South
Pacific Games.

Strengthen  support  for  existing  programs  and
establish support for new programs.

Summary of Community Investments in 2012

AREA 

2012 Spending (Kina)

2013 Budget (Kina)

Health & Social Welfare 

Education  & Environment

Sports & Culture

TOTAL

908,000 

542,000 

158,000 

1,608,000

1,223,000

449,000

355,000

2,027,000

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Health and Social Welfare

Business  Coalition  Against  HIV  and  AIDS  (BAHA):
Steamships is a gold sponsor of BAHA and supported the
organisation in 2012 in its efforts to provide training and
HIV/AIDS awareness programs in the private and public
sectors.  In  2011,  Steamships  committed  a  total  of
K150,000 to BAHA over a 3-year period.

Operation  Open  Heart  (OOH): Steamships’ OOH  is  an
annual  event,  currently  in  its  16th  year.  It  involves  the
flying in of doctors from Australia to carry out open heart
surgery on patients that do not have access to treatment
in PNG. Steamships’ staff have benefited in the past from
the surgical procedures and continue to have access to
the operations, while PNG cardiac surgeons and doctors
have 
learned  and  gained  valuable  experience.
Steamships will increase its support to OOH from K20,000
to K30,000 in 2013.

Susu Mamas Inc: Steamships continues to support Susu
Mamas’ vision  to  reduce  maternal  and  infant  morbidity
and  mortality  in  PNG  by  part  funding  the  operation  of
their clinics. In 2012, Steamships supported Susu Mamas’
program 
to  provide  workshops  on  nutrition,
breastfeeding and antenatal education in clinics around
the country. 

Cheshire  Disability  Services  (CDS): CDS  is  the  only
organisation in PNG that takes care of, and trains, people
living with disabilities. They currently house a total of 21
disabled  people  and  provide  training  and  education  to
others  living  in  communities  around  Port  Moresby.  In
2012  Steamships  funded  the  annual  wages  of  two  CDS
staff.

Salvation  Army  Red  Shield  Appeal: Steamships
continued  its  partnership  with  the  Salvation  Army,
through which it annually hosts the Red Shield Golf Day
tournament  and  provides  K100,000  to  launch  the  Red
Shield Appeal.

Rotary against Malaria (RAM): RAM  continues  to  fight
to contain and prevent malaria in PNG. The organisation
distributes mosquito nets to villages around the country.
Steamships’ support for RAM ensures that people in the
rural  areas  in  which  the  Group  operates  have  access  to
treated mosquito nets.

Halfway  House  &  Tembari  Children  Care  Inc:  The
Halfway  House  gives  women  and  children  who  are
victims  of  violence  and  abuse  a  place  to  take  shelter.
Steamships  supports  the  Halfway  House  by  assisting  in
the  purchase  of  food  for  the  women  and  children  that
live there.  Tembari Children Care Inc is a day care facility
at the ATS Oro Settlement in Seven Mile, just outside Port
Moresby. 

Steamships’ “Make a Child Smile” project: This  project
involves  Steamships’ employees  visiting  hospitals  and
other  institutions  over  the  Christmas  season.  Staff
collected toys throughout the year and delivered them to
the institution of their choice as gifts during Christmas. 

Education

Buk Bilong Pikinini (BBP):  Steamships  has  renewed  its
agreement  with  BBP,  an  independent  not-for-profit
organisation that aims to establish children's libraries and
encourage  reading  and  learning.  Steamships  will  be
providing  financial  support  to  the  Lawes  Road  (Port
Moresby), Lae and Goroka Libraries for the next five years.
Steamships  also  provides  rent-free  space  at  its  Bird  of
Paradise Hotel for BBP’s Goroka library.

British  Chevening  Scholarships: Steamships  &  Swire
continue  to  co-sponsor  two  Chevening  scholars  from
PNG  with  the  British  High  Commission.  The  program
makes  awards  to  outstanding  scholars  with  leadership
potential  from  around  the  world  to  study  postgraduate
courses at universities in the UK. In 2012 two scholarships
were completed and for 2013 the recipient was Coral Sea
Hotels  Group  Sales  Manager,  Misika  Rea.  In  early  2013,
Misika  travelled  to  the  United  Kingdom  to  commence
her studies. 

PNG Maritime College: Steamships continued to provide
support for the PNG Maritime College, which is the only
institution  in  the  country  that  provides  comprehensive
training for seagoing personnel. Further, Steamships has
partnered  with  the  China  Navigation  Company  to
establish  a  Madang  Centre  of  Excellence  to  provide
training  which  will  ensure  a  culture  of  safety  prevails  at
sea and onshore. 

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

49

Steamships’ Sustainability Focus Areas

(continued)

Sport 

Culture

PNG  Paralympics: Steamships  continues  to  assist  the
PNG  Paralympics  Committee  in  their  training  of  PNG
athletes.  Steamships  is  committed  to  giving  disabled
people  the  opportunity  to  achieve  their  dreams  and
aspirations. 

Kone  Kanu  Klub: The  Kone  Kanu  Klub  is  a  rowing  club
based  in  Port  Moresby  that  regularly  represents  the
country 
international  competitions.  Steamships,
through  its  Shipping  division,  is  a  gold  sponsor  of  the
club. 

in 

Trukai Fun Run & PM’s Golf Challenge: Steamships took
part in the annual Trukai Fun Run in 2012 by sponsoring
a  number  of  primary  and  secondary  schools  in  Port
Moresby.  It  also  supported  the  annual  PM’s  Golf
Challenge. These  events  raise  funds  for  the  PNG  Sports
Federation  to  assist  with  its  programs.  Steamships  staff
also participate in the events.

Literary  development:  Steamships  sponsored  PNG’s
prestigious literary award, the Crocodile Prize, allocating
K10,000 for the 2012 Short Story Prize. The Crocodile Prize
encourages  and  publishes  Papua  New  Guinean  writers,
providing the opportunity for the people of PNG to read
their national literature.

Publication support: In 2012 Steamships assisted the All
Nation Women’s Group, which launched its book ‘Artists,
Cooks  &  Storytellers:  Moments  in  Papua  New  Guinea.’
Funds from the sale of the book were used to create an
educational bursary to help pay school fees for students
attending  the  Hohola  Youth  Development  Centre,
located in a community close to the East West container
depot.   

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51

Steamships’ Sustainability Focus Areas

(continued)

CASE STUDY 4: 

Pacific Palms Property assists NCD schools 

Pacific Palms Property has partnered with the National Capital District Commission to help primary schools in the NCD
build  their  libraries  and  improve  school  road  crossings.  The  initiative  was  planned  in  close  consultation  with  NCD
Governor, the Hon Powes Parkop, and established through the Government’s public private partnership program.

New libraries are vital if PNG is to lift literacy rates and improve levels of education across the country. In 2011 the Asia
South Pacific Association for Basic and Adult Education and the PNG Education Advocacy Network released the results of
literacy surveys conducted over the previous five years in the National Capital District, New Ireland, Chimbu, Sandaun and
Gulf provinces. While the results varied by province, in all cases rates of literacy were alarmingly low. For NCD and New
Ireland, almost 41 per cent of those who attended primary school were found to be non-literate. For those who attended
secondary school the rate only improved slightly to 38 per cent. In all cases, literacy rates were lower for females than
males.

Steamships strongly promotes both safety and education in all its businesses, and while safety may be improved relatively
quickly at school crossing points, addressing the challenges of education is a longer term project.

CASE STUDY 5: 

Supporting health service delivery in remote PNG 

In August 2012 Steamships announced a four-year partnership with Youth with a Mission Medical Ships Australia (YWAM
MSA) to deliver health services in rural and remote parts of Papua New Guinea. 

YWAM MSA provides health care and training needs in PNG in line with the PNG National Health Plan and the nation’s
commitment to address its Millennium Development Goals. It does this via its medical ship (MV Pacific Link) and land-
based teams in rural PNG communities.

Between 2010 and 2012, YWAM MSA provided 103,384 training and health outcomes in the Gulf, Western and Central
Provinces.  These  included  primary  health  care,  childhood  immunisations,  dentistry,  optometry,  ophthalmology,  and
education in association with key stakeholders and partners.

Steamships  will  be  assisting  with  K400,000  annually  towards  the  medical  program.  In  addition  to  cash-based  financial
support, MV Pacific Link will be berthing at the Steamships Coastal Shipping (MES) wharf after each outreach in the Gulf
and Western Provinces.  Through the partnership, YWAM will be providing free medical service to Steamships employees
during its Port Moresby outreach program.

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Steamships Trading Company Limited

Corporate Governance Statement

A commitment to good governance

Steamships  and  its  Board  are  committed  to  achieving
and  demonstrating  the  highest  standards  of  Corporate
Governance  and  ethical  behaviour,  and  they  expect
these standards from all employees. The Group believes
that  the  maximisation  of 
long  term  returns  to
shareholders  is  best  achieved  by  acting  in  a  socially
responsible  manner  that  recognises  the  interests  of
community stakeholders.

Steamships is committed to:

•

•

•

•

Providing  high-quality  products  and  services  to
meet customers' needs;

Maintaining  high  standards  of  business  ethics  and
corporate governance;

Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of employees and
others with whom the Group has contact; and 

Promoting sustainable business practice.

Steamships believes it complied with the 2010 Australian
Stock  Exchange  Corporate  Governance  Principles  and
Recommendations  with  2010  amendments during  the
twelve months ended 31 December 2012, except where
noted in the following pages.

Steamships  reports  against  the  Australian  Securities
Exchange  (ASX)  recommendations  by  addressing  each
key principle in the order it is listed in the ASX guidelines.
includes
Each  section  addressing  a  key  principle 
references 
that  appears
elsewhere in the 2012 Annual Report.

information 

relevant 

to 

Steamships  acknowledges  that  the  ASX  envisages
disclosure  of  certain  corporate  governance  information
related  to  its  principles  and  recommendations  in  a
specific  corporate  governance  section  on  the  Group’s
website.  This  information  was  not  present  on  the
Steamships  website  throughout  2012.  However,  the
Group  updated  its  website  in  the  early  part  of  2013  to
include  a  full  corporate  governance  section  which  will
contain  all  company  charters  and  policies,  board
information,  performance  evaluation
committee 
programs and other corporate governance initiatives as
they are developed and adopted.

Lay  solid  foundations  for  management  and
oversight

Steamships focuses on the long-term development and
growth  of  business  where  it  can  add  value  through  its
industry-specific  expertise,  its  partnerships  and  its
knowledge  of  Papua  New  Guinea,  gained  through  its
long history in the country. In order to achieve this, the
Group  combines  the  efforts  of  dedicated  management
teams  in  the  individual  business  units,  supported  by  a
small  corporate  office  management  team,  to  provide
services  such  as  strategic  direction,  investment  and
performance  review,  treasury,  legal  support,  health  &
safety development, human resources management and
people development services.

Steamships’ Board  of  Directors,  together  with  divisional
advisory boards, has the responsibility to set the strategic
direction  of  the  Group,  to  review  the  operational  and
financial  performance  of  the  Group's  activities,  to
monitor  the  achievements  of  the  Group  against  its
objectives,  to  review  the  management  of  business  risk,
and to report to the shareholders. A formal Board Charter,
which  defines  the  functions  reserved  for  the  Board  and
those delegated to management, will be formalised and
adopted in early 2013. 

implemented  a  key  performance 

Steamships  has  adopted  a  structured  approach  to
strategic business planning across all divisions. The Group
has 
indicator
monitoring  system  to  ensure  that  the  business  remains
focused on the strategies and the action plans outlined
to  achieve  them.  Progress  against  the  strategies  and
indicators are measured on a quarterly basis.

The  Board  has  formed  a  Strategic  Planning  Committee
that meets annually and provides a detailed review of the
annual  budget  and  the  three-year  planning  process  in
discussion  with  the  Divisional  General  Managers. 
This review in no way diminishes the responsibility of the
full Board to review and approve the Group’s strategy at a
more macro level.

The  selected  strategy  is  implemented  by  means  of
programs,  budgets  and  procedures.  Implementation
involves  the  organisation  of  the  Group’s  resources  and
motivation of the staff to achieve objectives.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

53

Corporate Governance Statement

(continued)

The  Board  and  the  Managing  Director  review  the
performance  of  senior  executives  regularly,  with  the
Managing  Director  conducting  an  annual  performance
review with senior executives that incorporates reference
to  the  key  performance  indicators  mentioned  above.
Performance  evaluations  of  senior  executives  were
carried out during 2012 in accordance with this process.

The  Group  is  committed  to  the  development  of  its
employees  by  ensuring  its  succession  program  is
appropriate and monitored. Although the expertise and
skills  of  expatriate  staff  are  still  required,  an  active
program of training and skills transfer seeks to enable the
Group  to  promote  citizen  staff  and  to  build  a  strong,
long-term workforce for the future.

Structure the Board to add value

The Steamships Board currently comprises two executive
directors,  two  independent  non-executive  directors
(Lady  Winifred  Kamit  and  Mr  Gerea  Aopi),  and  six  non-
executive  directors,  of  whom  four  are  also  directors  of
other John Swire & Sons subsidiary companies. The roles
of  chairman  and  managing  director  are  performed  by
separate individuals.

that 

from 

Steamships  notes  the  ASX  recommendations  and
comments  concerning  director  independence  and
advises 
these
the  Group  departs 
recommendations due to the nature of its shareholdings
and its location. Steamships currently has 98 per cent of
its shares held by three major shareholders, one of which
holds  72  per  cent  of  the  shares.  The  pool  of  available
independent  representatives  in  Papua  New  Guinea  is
small, and it would be very difficult to find an adequate
number of truly independent directors qualified to serve
on  the  Board.  To  disqualify  existing  directors  on  the
grounds  of  lack  of  independence  would  deprive  the
Group of valuable experience in the management of its
affairs.  While  recognising  the  importance  of  the  ASX
recommendations,  the  Board  feels  that,  under  current
are  not
circumstances, 
practicable,  and  would  not  serve  the  interest  of  the
Group or its shareholders.

recommendations 

the 

Other  than  the  Managing  Director  and  the  Finance
Director,  who  are  appointed  by  the  Board,  all  directors

retire  on  a  rotational  basis  at  least  every  three  years.
Retiring directors are eligible for re-election.

The  Chairman  in  conjunction  with  all  members  of  the
for  overseeing  the
Board  has  the  responsibility 
nomination  of  all  directors  and  for  the  review  of  the
Board's membership, which is linked to its shareholding
structure.  The  Board  consequently  does  not  operate  a
nominations  committee  and  does  not  operate  a  formal
performance evaluation process for directors.

The  Board  seeks  to  ensure  its  members  have  an
appropriate  mix  of  skills  and  experience  to  understand,
critique  and  contribute  to  the  Group’s 
financial
performance,  strategic  direction,  risk  management,
operations,  sustainability,  values  and  culture.   The  skills,
expertise, experience of each director and term of office
at  the  date  of  this  report  are  detailed  in  the  Directors’
Report.

In  exercising  their  duties  as  directors,  the  Board,  and
individual  members  of 
independent
professional advice at the Group’s expense. Requests for
the  provision  of  such  advice  are  directed  to  the
Chairman.

it,  can  seek 

Promote ethical and responsible decision making

Steamships  promotes  ethical  and  responsible  decision-
making  in  all  its  divisions. This  commitment  falls  within
the Group’s strong focus on ensuring the sustainability of
its  business  operations,  described  separately  in  this
annual  report.  The  Group’s  evolving  sustainability
strategy  promotes  ethical  and  responsible  behaviour  in
focus  areas:  People,  Environment  and
three  key 
Community. In early 2013, Steamships adopted a formal
Group  code  of  conduct  which  embodies  previous
informal practice. The Group currently has as part of the
decision making process, the following committees:

•

•

•

Strategic Planning Committee

Audit and Risk Committee

Remuneration Committee

Steamships  began  to  consider  some  key  benchmarks
from the global standard on sustainability reporting – the
Global  Reporting  Initiative  (GRI)  –  in  its  2011  annual

54

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Corporate Governance Statement

(continued)

report  for  the  first  time.  By  collecting  relevant  data  and
these  benchmarks,
monitoring  progress  against 
Steamships  continues 
to  promote  ethical  and
responsible  decision  making,  improve  operations  and
increase transparency.

Key  data  and  commentary  on  Group  performance  in
health  and  safety,  security,  training  and  development,
labour  relations,  diversity,  in  addition  to  environmental
measures on energy, water, effluent and waste emissions
and  the  Group’s  approach  to  community  development
can be found in the sustainability section of this annual
report.

Diversity

ASX recommendations focus heavily on gender diversity.
While  Steamships  is  committed  to  fostering  diversity  at
all levels, gender diversity has been and continues to be
a priority for the Group. Its approach to gender diversity
is  based  on  fostering  an  inclusive  culture,  improving
talent  management,  enhancing  recruitment  practices
and  ensuring  pay  equity.  Key  data  and  commentary  on
adopted  measures  are  included  in  the  sustainability
section of the 2012 annual report.

Notwithstanding  ASX  recommendations,  Steamships
believes that for a Group operating entirely in Papua New
Guinea, diversity must go further and incorporate culture.
This  country  of  just  over  seven  million  people  is  widely
reported  as  having  around  800  unique  languages.  The
challenges  of 
island  terrain
its  mountainous  and 
contribute  to  its  highly  traditional  tribal  and  rural
societies  (less  than  20%  of  PNG  citizens  live  in  urban
centres). 

Steamships  operates  in  12  of  PNG’s  20  provinces,
consistent  with  its  broad  range  of  business  interests.
Having  operated  successfully 
in  PNG  since  1919,
Steamships  recognises  the  social  and  commercial  value
of  diversity  and  strives  to  create  a  work  environment
which is inclusive of all people regardless of gender, age,
race,  disability,  sexual  orientation,  cultural  background,
religion,  family  responsibilities  or  any  other  area  of
potential difference.

Safeguard integrity in financial reporting

it 

is  assisted 

internal  control  and  monitors 

While  the  Board  maintains  overall  responsibility  for  the
their
systems  of 
its
effectiveness, 
responsibilities by the Audit and Risk Committee, which is
composed  of  an  independent  non-executive  chairman
and two non-executive directors who are representatives
of major shareholders.

in  discharging 

Formal  terms  of  reference  for  the  Audit  and  Risk
Committee were in place during 2012. A formal charter
will be developed and adopted in early 2013. The Audit
and Risk Committee recommends the appointment and
remuneration  of  the  external  auditors,  reviews  the
Group's  financial  statements  and  the  adequacy  and
effectiveness  of  existing  internal  and  external  audit
arrangements.  It  also  considers  management  of  the
Group's  risk. The  findings  and  recommendations  of  the
Committee  are  reported  to  the  Board.  The  Committee
meets  four  times  a  year,  at  which  time  it  receives  and
discusses  reports  from  senior  management  and  from
external  auditors.  The  members  of  the  Audit  and  Risk
Committee,  their  qualifications  and  their  attendance  at
meetings of the Committee held during 2012 are shown
in the Directors’ Report.

internal  control 

Different  divisions  within  the  Group  have  a  number  of
internal  audit  and  monitoring  functions,  dependent  on
need.  In  addition  to  this,  regular  reviews  of  the  monthly
accounts  and  balance  sheets,  conducted  by  senior
divisional  and  corporate  office  management,  seek  to
ensure  that 
is  properly  managed
throughout the Group. In the opinion of the Board, this has
been  the  most  efficient  and  cost-effective  means  of
managing  internal  control,  given  the  diversity  of  the
business and the nature of the risk. However, to enhance
the internal system of control and business risk, the Board
has given approval for the establishment of a standardised
corporate office internal audit process in 2013.

Make timely and balanced disclosure

The  Board  seeks  to  inform  shareholders  of  major  issues
affecting  the  Group  by  sending  comprehensive  annual
reports  to  the  shareholders,  and  through  the  release  of
reports  to  the  Port  Moresby  Exchange,  the  Australian

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

55

Corporate Governance Statement

(continued)

Securities Exchange and appropriate media. These detail
the Group's financial and operating performance.

In early 2013, Steamships will develop and adopt written
policies  designed  to  ensure  compliance  with  the
continuous 
external
communications requirements of the Port Moresby Stock
Exchange  and  Australian  Securities  Exchange,  and  the
Board will ensure these are met at all times.

disclosure 

public 

and 

Steamships  has  explored  methods  to  more  effectively
inform shareholders.  While many local smallholders still
rely  solely  on  the  postal  system,  an  increasing  number
have access to the internet. By updating and improving
its  corporate  website  in  early  2013,  Steamships  has
further  developed  the  mechanisms  designed  to  ensure
compliance with the ASX listing rule requirements, such
that:

•

•

All  investors  have  equal  and  timely  access  to
information  concerning 
material 
the  Group,
including 
financial  position,  performance,
its 
ownership and governance;

Group announcements are factual and presented in
a  clear  and  balanced  way,  including  disclosure  of
both positive and negative information.

Respect the rights of shareholders

As mentioned earlier, some 98% of Steamships shares are
held  by  three  major  shareholders,  two  of  which    are
represented  on  the  Board.  Steamships  is  nonetheless
very aware that it has  smaller shareholders and seeks to
ensure they are fully empowered. 

Steamships  is  incorporated  in  Papua  New  Guinea  and
accordingly  holds  its  Annual  General  Meeting  in  Port
Moresby,  with  shareholders  encouraged  to  attend  and
participate.

Recognise and manage risk

Steamships has identified its material business risks and
actively  manages  those  risks.  All  material  business  risks
that  arise  in  the  course  of  the  Group’s  activities  have
clearly  defined  management 
and
accountability for reporting to the Board.

ownership 

The  Board  is  responsible  for  reviewing  the  Group’s
policies on risk oversight and management. In doing so,
the Board satisfies itself that management has developed
and  implemented  a  sound  system  of  risk  management
and internal control.

The  Group  is  committed  to  the  management  of  risks
throughout  its  operations  to  protect  its  employees,  the
environment, Group assets, earnings and reputation.

Certain  risks  occur  in  the  normal  course  of  the  Group's
business and include foreign exchange and interest rate
risks. 

The  Group  Risk  Management  program  utilises  a  risk
management  tool  and  database  to  assist  in  monitoring
and  enforcement  of  compliance  with  the  Group’s  risk
management  procedures  and  policies.  The  Group  also
uses  other  risk  management  techniques,  including
impact  of  any
insurance,  to  reduce  the  financial 
uncontrollable or catastrophic losses.

Steamships’ management reports regularly to the Board
on the effectiveness of its risk management systems and
performance in managing material business risks.

Steamships is incorporated in Papua New Guinea and is
not generally subject to the Australian Corporations Act,
hence the Board does not require the Managing Director
and the Finance Director to provide a declaration that is
consistent  with  section  295A  of  the  Australian
Corporations Act 2001.

Remunerate fairly and responsibly

Steamships’ policy  is  to  ensure  that  the  level  and
composition  of  remuneration  for  all  employees  is
competitive  and  reasonable  and  that  the  relationship
between  remuneration  and  performance  is  clearly
defined.

Steamships’ Board  has  established  a  remuneration
committee  comprising  the  Steamships  Chairman,  the
Managing  Director  and  a  Non-Executive  Director.
Steamships  acknowledges  the  ASX  recommendations
that  suggest  this  committee  be  chaired  by  an
independent director, however the Board considers this
committee  structure  appropriate  given  Steamships’

56

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Corporate Governance Statement

(continued)

shareholder structure (refer page 54).

The  Remuneration  Committee  meets  annually  to
determine  the  compensation  of  the  Managing  Director
and the senior executive staff. Attendance at committee
meetings 
in  the  Directors’ Report.  The
Committee  also  reviews  the  Group’s  staff  development
plans and is responsible for the succession planning of all
senior manager positions. The recommendations of this
Committee are minuted.

is  noted 

Steamships does not operate any schemes for retirement
benefits for non-executive directors.

Steamships is incorporated in Papua New Guinea and is
not generally subject to the Australian Corporations Act,
hence section 300A the Australian Corporations Act 2001
concerning  remuneration  disclosure  does  not  apply.
Steamships  reports  company  remuneration  details  in
accordance with the Papua New Guinea Companies Act
1997.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

57

Statements of Comprehensive Income
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

Continuing Operations

Note

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

Revenue

Other revenue

Operating expenses

OPERATING PROFIT

Finance costs – net

Share of profit of associates and joint ventures

PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX

Income tax expense

3(a)

3(a)

3(b)

3(d)

9(c)

4(a)

986,310

920,357

84,318

51,886

51,885

14,360

-

-

(741,686)

(669,601)

(5,535)

(4,971)

296,509

265,116

78,783

46,915

(30,935)

(31,149)

14,188

13,859

-

-

-

-

279,762

247,826

78,783

46,915

(81,414)

(67,727)

(59)

(332)

PROFIT FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

198,348

180,099

78,724

46,583

Other comprehensive income

-

-

-

-

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR

198,348

180,099

78,724

46,583

Non-controlling interests

(20,648)

(21,838)

-

-

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS

177,700

158,261

78,724

46,583

Basic and Diluted Earnings per share
continuing (toea)

3(f )

573t

510t

These statements of comprehensive income are to be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

58

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Statement of Changes in Equity
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

Share
Capital

Proposed
Dividend*

Retained
Earnings

Total Capital Minority
Interest
& Reserves

Total
Equity

K'000

K'000

K'000

K'000

K'000

K'000

BALANCE AT 1 JANUARY 2011

24,200

15,504

411,592

451,296

62,851

514,147

Profit from continuing
operations

Other comprehensive income

Dividends paid 2011 

Dividends proposed 2011

-

-

- 

- 

-

-

(31,008)

158,261

158,261

21,838

180,099

-

- 

-

-

-

(31,008)

(9,324)

(40,332)

58,916 

(58,916)

-   

- 

-   

BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2011      

24,200

43,412

510,937

578,549

75,365

653,914

Profit from continuing
operations

Other comprehensive income

Dividends paid 2012

Dividends proposed 2012

-

-

-

-

-

-

(79,071)

177,700

177,700

20,648

198,348

-

-

-

-

-

(79,071)

(11,691)

(90,762)

88,373

(88,373)

-

-

-

BALANCE AT 31 DECEMBER 2012      

24,200

52,714

600,264

677,178

84,322

761,500

This statement of changes in equity is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

No statement of changes in equity is presented for the Parent Entity as the only movement in equity is represented by
the retained earnings as shown in the statement of comprehensive income and dividend movements as reflected
above for the Group.

* This amount relates to dividends proposed as at 31 December 2012, amounting to 170 toea per share (2011: 140 toea
per share)

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

59

Statements of Financial Position
Steamships Trading Company Limited
As at 31 December 2012     

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

Note

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments in subsidiaries, associates
and joint ventures
Goodwill
Deferred tax asset

Current assets
Inventories 
Trade and other receivables
Loans to associates and incorporated joint ventures
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss
Non-current assets held for sale
Cash and cash equivalents

TOTAL ASSETS 

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Provisions for other liabilities and charges
Loans from associates and incorporated joint ventures
Loan from Shareholder
Borrowings
Income tax payable 

Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liability 
Borrowings
Provisions for other liabilities and charges

TOTAL LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS

EQUITY
Issued capital
Retained earnings
Proposed final dividend
Capital and reserves attributable to the 
Company's shareholders
Non-controlling interests
TOTAL EQUITY

8

9(a)
10
4(c)

11
13(a)
14
13(b)
12
15

16
17
18
19
19

4(c)
19
17

7

1,023,861

938,709

32,478

36,166

38,687
17,183
-
1,079,731

68,381
242,553
50,745
20,307
8,426
21,508
411,920    

1,491,651

28,445
17,183
-
984,337

50,334
200,633
1,907
45,107
-
1,653
299,634
1,283,971

149,007
12,658
14,314
16,133
144,381
33,903
370,396

32,898
316,872
9,985
359,755
730,151
761,500

24,200
600,264
52,714

677,178
84,322
761,500

132,922
22,066
7,769
18,460
48,697
53,531
283,445

7,664
330,391
8,557
346,612
630,057
653,914

24,200
510,937
43,412

578,549
75,365
653,914

63,342
-
756
96,576

-
3,770
6,801
-
-
-
10,571
107,147

-
-
64,253
-
-
(695)
63,558

-
-
-
-
63,558
43,589

24,200
(33,325)
52,714

43,589
-
43,589

63,342
-
1,604
101,112

-
351
3,126
-
-
-
3,477
104,589

565
-
59,774
-
-
314
60,653

-
-
-
-
60,653
43,936

24,200
(23,676)
43,412

43,936
-
43,936

These statements of financial position are to be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

For and on behalf of the Board:
28 March 2013

W. L. Rothery
Chairman

G.L. Cundle
Managing Director

60

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Statements of Cash Flows
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

Note

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Receipt from customers

Payments to suppliers and employees

Interest received

Interest and other finance costs paid

Income tax paid          

990,355

896,724

(616,746)

(564,302)

135

(31,070)

(75,808)

123

(31,272)

(48,764)

Net cash provided by operating activities

21

266,866

252,509

1,885

(1,435)

-

-

(219)

231

9,366

(875)

-

-

(320)

8,171

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchase of property, plant & equipment

(202,646)

(231,302)

(510)

(1,317)

Proceeds from sales of property, plant & equipment

Loans made (to)/repaid by associated companies

Dividends received

4,917

(44,620)

3,935

7,599

1,470

7,191

Payment for acquisition of subsidiaries (net of cash acquired)

-

(1,200)

-

1,004

78,346

-

39

1,021

23,094

-

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities 

(238,414)

(216,242)

78,840

22,837

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayments of borrowings

Dividends paid

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH HELD

CASH AT BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

CASH AT END OF THE YEAR

CASH COMPRISES:

Cash and cash equivalents

Bank overdrafts      

145,000

(51,319)

(90,762)

2,919

31,371

(47,044)

(15,673)

40,000

(35,998)

(40,332)

(36,330)

(63)

(46,981)

(47,044)

15

19

21,508

(37,181)

(15,673)

1,653

(48,697)

(47,044)

These statements of cash flows are to be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

-

-

-

-

(79,071)

(79,071)

(31,008)

(31,008)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

61

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

•

•

•

•

1.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES 

The Company is a company limited by shares and is
incorporated and domiciled in Papua New Guinea. 

These  group  consolidated  financial  statements 
were  authorised  for  issue  by  the  Board  of  Directors
on 28 March 2013.

The Board of Directors has the power to amend the
financial statements after its issue.

The  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in
accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting
Standards (“IFRS”).

Changes in accounting policy and disclosures

(i) Revised  standard,  amendments 

to  existing
standards  and  interpretations  adopted  by  the
Group

The  following  revised  standard,  amendments  to
existing  standards  and  interpretations  as  approved
by the IASB which are mandatory for annual periods
beginning January 1, 2012:

•

•

•

Amendments  to  IFRS  7, Financial  instruments:
Disclosures  (effective  January  1,  2012)  on
transfers  of  assets 
introduces  additional
disclosures  in  respect  of  risk  exposures  arising
from 
The
amendments  mainly  affect  entities  that  sell,
factor,  securitise,  lend  or  otherwise  transfer
financial assets to other parties. The amendment
was not relevant to the Group.

transferred 

financial 

assets. 

Amendments  to  IFRS  1,  First  time  adoption on
fixed dates and hyperinflation are not relevant to
the Group.

Amendments to IAS 12 Income taxes, on deferred
tax  introduces  a  rebuttable  presumption  that
investment  property  which  is  measured  at  fair
value is recovered entirely by sale. The Group has
no investment property measured at fair value.

(ii) New  standards,  amendments  and  interpretations
to existing standards that are not yet effective and
not  early  adopted  by  the  Group  unless  otherwise
stated

defined 

require  the 

recognition  of  all 

of 
immediately 

IAS  19,  Employee  benefits (effective  1  January
re-
2013) 
benefit
measurements 
liabilities/assets 
other
comprehensive  income  (removal  of  the  so-
called ‘corridor’ method) and the calculation of a
net interest expense or income by applying the
discount rate to the net defined benefit liability
or  asset.  The  Group  does  not  have  a  defined
benefit pension scheme.

in 

items 

presented 

Amendment  to 
IAS  1,  Financial  statement
presentation (effective  1  July  2012)  regarding
other comprehensive income requires entities to
separate 
other
comprehensive income into two groups, based
on whether they may be recycled to profit or loss
in 
the
measurement  of  any  items  recognised  in  the
balance  sheet  or  profit  and  loss  in  the  current
period.

future.  This  will  not  affect 

the 

in 

IFRS 9, Financial Instruments (effective 1 January
2013)  is  the  first  phase  of  replacing  IAS  39,
Financial Instruments with a standard that is less
complex and principles based. The new standard
addresses  the  classification,  measurement  and
derecognition  of  financial  assets  and  financial
liabilities.  The  standard  is  not  expected  to
change  the  entity’s  existing  accounting  policy
for its financial assets and liabilities.

IFRS  10,  Consolidated  Financial  Statements
(effective  1  January  2013)  replaces  all  of  the
guidance on control and consolidation in IAS 27,
Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements,
and  SIC  12  Consolidation  –  Special  Purpose
Entities.  The  core  principle  that  a  consolidated
entity presents a parent and its subsidiaries as if
they  are  a  single  economic  entity  remains
unchanged, 
the  mechanics  of
consolidation. However the standard introduces
a  single  definition  of  control  that  applies  to  all
entities.  It  focuses  on  the  need  to  have  both
power and rights or exposure to variable returns
before  control  is  present.  Power  is  the  current
ability  to  direct  the  activities  that  significantly
influence returns. Returns must vary and can be
positive,  negative  or  both.  There  is  also  new

as  do 

62

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

guidance on participating and protective rights
and on agent/principal relationships. The Group
had  opted  to  early  adopt  the  said  standard  in
2011  whereby  two  new  entities  had  been
consolidated in 2011.

IFRS  11,  Joint  arrangements  (effective  1  January
2013) introduces a principles based approach to
accounting  for  joint  arrangements. The  focus  is
no  longer  on  the  legal  structure  of  joint
arrangements,  but  rather  on  how  rights  and
obligations are shared by the parties to the joint
arrangement. Based on the assessment of rights
and  obligations,  a  joint  arrangement  will  be
classified  as  either  a  joint  operation  or  joint
venture.  Joint ventures are accounted for using
the  equity  method,  and 
to
proportionately  consolidate  will  no  longer  be
permitted.  Parties  to  a  joint  operation  will
account  for  their  share  of  revenues,  expenses,
assets  and  liabilities  in  much  the  same  way  as
under the previous standard. As the Group is not
a party to any joint arrangements, this standard
will  not  have  any  impact  on  its  financial
statements.

the  choice 

joint 

including 

IFRS  12,  Disclosure  of  interests in  other  entities
(effective 1 January 2013) includes the disclosure
requirements  for  all  forms  of  interest  in  other
entities, 
arrangements,
associates,  special  purpose  vehicles  and  other
off-balance  sheet  vehicles.  Application  of  this
standard  will  not  affect  any  of  the  amounts
recognised  in  the  financial  statements,  but  will
impact  the  type  of 
information  disclosed
investments.
in 
The  amendments  also  incorporate  into  IFRS  12
the remaining guidance previously contained in
SIC 21, which is withdrawn. The Group will apply
the amendments beginning January 1, 2012 but
the adoption is not expected to have an impact
on the financial statements.

the  Group’s 

relation 

to 

IFRS  13,  Fair  value  measurement (effective  1
January  2013)  aims  to  improve  the  consistency
and  reduce  complexity  by  providing  a  precise
definition  of  fair  value  and  a  single  source  of
fair  value  measurement  and  disclosure
IFRSs.  The
requirements 

for  use  across 

•

•

•

requirements do not extend the use of fair value
accounting  but  provide  guidance  on  how  it
should  be  applied  where  its  use  is  already
required  or  permitted  by  other  standards.  The
Group  does  not  use  fair  value  measurement
extensively apart from certain investments and it
is  unlikely  the  new  rules  will  have  a  significant
impact  on  any  amounts  recognised  in  the
financial statements. However, application of the
new  standard  will 
type  of
information  disclosed  in  the  notes  to  the
financial statements.

impact 

the 

•

•

•

•

•

IAS  27 
(Revised  2011),  Separate  financial
statements (effective  1  January  2013)  is  now  a
standard  dealing  solely  with  separate  financial
statements. Application of this standard will not
affect  any  of  the  amounts  recognised  in  the
consolidated  or  parent  entity 
financial
impact  the  type  of
statements  but  may 
information disclosed in relation to the parent’s
investments 
in  the  separate  parent  entity
financial statements. 

IAS 28 (revised 2011), Associates and joint ventures
(effective  1  January  2013) 
the
requirements  for  joint  ventures,  as  well  as
associates, to be equity accounted following the
issue  of  IFRS.  The  Group  currently  applies  the
principles of this standard.

includes 

Amendment  to  IFRS  7,  Financial  instruments:
Disclosures on  offsetting  financial  assets  and
financial  liabilities  (effective  1  January  2013)
enhance current offsetting disclosures. They are
unlikely  to  affect  the  accounting  for  any  of  the
Group’s current offsetting arrangements, but will
require  a  number  of  additional  disclosures  in
relation to those arrangements.

Amendment  to  IFRS  1,  First  time  adoption on
government  loans  (effective  1  January  2013)  is
not relevant to the Group.

Annual improvements 2011 (effective 1 January
2013) include minor changes to IFRS 1, IAS 1, IAS
16, IAS 32 and IAS 34. The Group does not expect
that any adjustments will be necessary as a result
of applying the revised rules.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

63

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

•

Amendment  to  IFRS  10,  Consolidated  financial
statements,  IFRS  12  and  IAS  27  for  investment
entities  (effective  1  January  2014)  provides  an
exemption 
from
consolidating controlled investees. The Group is
not an investment entity and will not therefore
be affected by these amendments.

investment  entities 

to 

(a) Basis of preparation

The  accounts  have  been  prepared  under  the
historical cost convention.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with 
IFRS  requires  the  use  of  certain  critical
accounting  estimates,  refer  to  note  1(aa).  It  also
requires  management  to  exercise  its  judgement  in
the  process  of  applying  the  Group's  accounting
policies.

(b) Foreign currency

The Company's functional and presentation currency
is  the  Papua  New  Guinea  Kina.    Transactions  in
foreign  currencies  have  been  translated  into  the
functional currency at rates ruling at the date of the
transaction.  Amounts payable to and by the Group
in  foreign  currencies  have  been  translated  to  the
functional currency at rates of exchange ruling at the
year end. Gains and losses arising from movements
in  foreign  exchange  rates  are  recognised  in  the
statement  of  comprehensive  income  when  they
arise.

(c) Principles of consolidation

The  consolidated  accounts  incorporate  the    assets
and  liabilities  of  all  companies  controlled  by  the
Group as at the end of the reporting period and the
results of all controlled companies for the year then
ended.  All  inter-group  transactions  and  balances
have  been  eliminated.  Non-controlling  interests  in
controlled  companies  are  shown  separately  in  the
consolidated  statement  of  financial  position  and
statement  of  comprehensive  income.  Interests  in
joint  ventures  and  associates  in  which  the  Group
holds 20%-50% or more of the issued share capital,
and  hold  significant  influence  are  accounted  for
under  the  equity  method.  Interests  in  subsidiaries,
joint  ventures,  and  associates  are  carried  at  cost  by
the parent entity.

(d) Business combinations

The  acquisition  method  of  accounting  is  used  to
account for all business combinations, regardless of
whether  equity  instruments  or  other  assets  are
acquired.  The  consideration  transferred  for  the
acquisition of a subsidiary comprises the fair values
of  the  assets  transferred,  the  liabilities  incurred  and
the  equity  interests  issued  by  the  Group.  The
consideration transferred also includes the fair value
of  any  asset  or  liability  resulting  from  a  contingent
consideration arrangement and the fair value of any
in  the  subsidiary.
interest 
pre-existing  equity 
Acquisition-related  costs  are  expensed  as  incurred.
liabilities  and
Identifiable  assets  acquired  and 
contingent 
in  a  business
combination are, with limited exceptions, measured
initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. On
an  acquisition-by-acquisition  basis,  the  Group
recognises  any  non-controlling  interest  in  the
acquiree either at fair value or at the non-controlling
interest's  proportionate  share  of  the  acquiree’s  net
identifiable assets.

liabilities  assumed 

The  excess  of  the  consideration  transferred,  the
amount  of  any  non-controlling  interest  in  the
acquiree  and  the  acquisition  date  fair  value  of  any
previous equity interest in the acquiree over the fair
value  of  the  Group's  share  of  the  net  identifiable
assets  acquired  is  recorded  as  goodwill.  If  those
amounts  are  less  than  the  fair  value  of  the  net
identifiable assets of the subsidiary acquired and the
measurement of all amounts has been reviewed, the
difference is recognised directly in determining profit
or loss as a bargain purchase.

(e) Property, plant and equipment

All  property,  plant  and  equipment  (including
investment properties) are initially recorded at cost.
Depreciation  is  calculated  on  the  straight-line
method  to  write  off  the  cost  of  each  asset  to  their
residual  values  over  their  estimated  useful  life  as
follows:

Properties

Ships

0 - 10% 

5 - 10%

Plant and fittings

10 - 33%

Motor vehicles

20 - 33%

64

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

Where  the  carrying  amount  of  an  asset  is  greater
than  its  estimated  recoverable  amount,  it  is  written
down immediately to its recoverable amount. Gains
and  losses  on  disposal  of  property,  plant  and
equipment  are  determined  by  reference  to  their
carrying  amount  and  are  taken  into  account  in
determining operating profit. 

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying
amount  or  recognised  as  a  separate  asset,  as
appropriate,  only  when  it  is  probable  that  future
economic benefits associated with the item will flow
to  the  Group  and  the  cost  of  the  item  can  be
measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance
are  charged  to  the  statements  of  comprehensive
income during the financial period in which they are
incurred.

(f) Non-current assets held for resale 

Non-current assets (or disposal groups) are classified
as  held  for  sale  if  their  carrying  amount  will  be
recovered  principally  through  a  sale  transaction
rather  than  through  continuing  use  and  a  sale  is
considered  highly  probable.  They  are  measured  at
the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less
costs  to  sell,  except  for  assets  such  as  deferred  tax
assets,  assets  arising  from  employee  benefits,
financial  assets  and  investment  property  that  are
carried  at  fair  value  and  contractual  rights  under
insurance  contracts,  which  are  specifically  exempt
from this requirement.

An  impairment  loss  is  recognised  for  any  initial  or
subsequent  write  down  of  the  asset  (or  disposal
group)  to  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell.  A  gain  is
recognised for any subsequent increases in fair value
less costs to sell of an asset (or disposal group), but
not  in  excess  of  any  cumulative  impairment  loss
previously recognised. A gain or loss not previously
recognised by the date of the sale of the non-current
asset (or disposal group) is recognised at the date of
derecognition. 

Non-current assets (including those that are part of a
disposal  group)  are  not  depreciated  or  amortised
while they are classified as held for sale. Interest and
other  expenses  attributable  to  the  liabilities  of  a
disposal group classified as held for sale continue to
be recognised.

Non-current assets classified as held for sale and the
assets  of  a  disposal  group  classified  as  held  for  sale
are presented separately from the other assets in the
balance  sheet.  The  liabilities  of  a  disposal  group
classified  as  held  for  sale  are  presented  separately
from other liabilities in the balance sheet.

A  discontinued  operation  is  a  component  of  the
entity  that  has  been  disposed  of  or  is  classified  as
held for sale and that represents a separate major line
of business or geographical area of operations, is part
of a single coordinated plan to dispose of such a line
of  business  or  area  of  operations,  or  is  a  subsidiary
acquired exclusively with a view to resale. The results
of discontinued operations are presented separately
in the income statement.

(g)

Inventories

Inventories  are  valued  at  the  lower  of  cost  or  net
realisable value.  In general, cost is determined on the
weighted  average  basis  and,  where  appropriate,
includes  a  proportion  of  variable  overhead
expenditure.  Net  realisable  value  is  the  estimated
selling price in the ordinary course of business, less
applicable variable selling costs.

(h) Income tax

The income tax expense or revenue for the period is
the  tax  payable  on  the  current  period's  taxable
income  based  on  the  notional  income  tax  rate
adjusted  by  changes  in  deferred  tax  assets  and
liabilities  attributable  to  temporary  differences
between  the  tax  bases  of  assets  and  liabilities  and
their  carrying  amounts  in  the  financial  statements,
and to unused tax losses.

Deferred  income  tax  is  provided  in  full,  using  the
liability  method,  on  temporary  differences  arising
between  the  tax  bases  of  assets  and  liabilities  and
their  carrying  amounts  in  the  financial  statements.
Currently  enacted  tax  rates  are  used 
in  the
determination of deferred income tax.  Deferred tax
assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable
that the future taxable profit will be available, against
which the temporary differences can be utilised.

(i) Provisions

Provisions  are  recognised  when  the  Group  has  a
present legal or constructive obligation as a result of

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

65

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

past events; it is probable that an outflow of resource
embodying  economic  benefits  will  be  required  to
settle  the  obligation;  and  a  reliable  estimate  of  the
amount of the obligation can be made.

A  liability  for  annual  leave  is  recognised  and
measured at the amount of unpaid leave at amounts
expected  to  be  paid  to  settle  the  present
entitlements.    A  liability  for  long  service  leave  is
recognised  taking  into  consideration  expected
future  wage  and  salary 
levels,  experience  of
employee  departures  and  periods  of  service,
discounted to present values.

A  provision  for  estimated  ship  dry  docking  costs  is
only recognised where the Group has a contractual
obligation  under  a  Bare  Boat  charter  agreement  in
from a third party.  Dry docking costs relating to ships
not under third party long term charter agreements
are  only  recognised  as  incurred,  and  are  capitalised
to the extent that the previously assessed economic
benefits associated with the asset are restored.

(j) Goodwill

Goodwill  represents  the  excess  of  the  cost  of  an
acquisition over the fair value of the Group's share of
the net identifiable assets of the acquired business at
the date of acquisition. 

Goodwill is capitalised and assessed for impairment
annually or more frequently if events or changes in
circumstances indicate that it might be impaired and
is carried at cost less impairment losses.

Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include
the  carrying  amount  of  goodwill  relating  to  the
entity sold. Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating
units for the purpose of impairment testing.

(k) Cash and cash equivalents

For the purpose of the statement of cash flows, cash
and  cash  equivalents  includes  cash  on  hand,
deposits  held  at  call  with  banks    and  Treasury  Bills
with a maturity less than 90 days. Bank overdrafts are
shown  in  current  liabilities  in  the  statement  of
financial position. 

(l) Revenue recognition

The Group recognises revenue when the amount of
revenue can be reliably measured, it is probable that

future economic benefits will flow to the entity and
specific  criteria  have  been  met  for  each  of  the
Group’s  activities  as  described  below.  The  Group
bases  its  estimates  on  historical  results,  taking  into
consideration  the  type  of  customer,  the  type  of
transaction  and  the  specifics  of  each  arrangement.
Revenue  is  recognised  for  the  major  business
activities as follows: 

Sale  of  goods  -  Revenue  from  the  sale  of  goods  is
recognised  when  the  entity  sells  a  product  to  the
customer  and  all  significant  risks  and  rewards  have
been transferred.

Services  -  Service  revenue  is  recognised  when  the
service has been rendered.

Interest income - Interest income is recognised using
the effective interest method.

Dividend  income  -  Dividends  are  recognised  as
revenue  when  the  right  to  receive  payment  is
established.

Rental  income  -  Rental  income  is  recognised  on  a
straight line basis over the term of the lease.

(m) Employee benefits

(i)

Short term obligations

Liabilities  for  wages  and  salaries,  including  non-
monetary  benefits,  annual  leave  and  accumulating
sick leave expected to be settled within 12 months
after the end of the period in which the employees
render the related service are recognised in respect
of employees’ services up to the end of the reporting
period  and  are  measured  at  the  amounts  expected
to be paid when the liabilities are settled. The liability
for  annual  leave  and  accumulating  sick  leave  is
recognised in the provision for employee benefits. All
other  sort  term  employee  benefit  obligations  are
presented as payables.

(ii) Other long-term employee benefit obligations

The  liability  for  long  service  leave  and  annual  leave
which  is  not  expected  to  be  settled  within  12
months  after  the  end  of  period  in  which  the
employees render the related service is recognised in
the  provision  for  the  employee  benefits  and
measured  as  the  present  value  of  expected  future

66

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

the  projected  unit 

payments to be made in respect of services provided
by employees up to the end of the reporting period
using 
credit  method.
Consideration is given to expected future wage and
salary  levels,  experience  of  employee  departments
and periods of service. Expected future payments are
discounted using the market yields at the end of the
reporting  period  on  national  government  bonds
with terms to maturity and currency that match, as
closely  as  possible,  the  estimated  future  cash
outflows.

(n) Receivables

Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value
and subsequently measured at amortised cost using
the  effective  interest  method,  less  provision  for  any
uncollectable  debts.    A  provision  for  doubtful
receivables  is  established  when  there  is  objective
evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all
amounts  due  according  to  the  original  terms  of
receivables.

(o) Borrowings

Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of
any transaction costs incurred, and are subsequently
measured  at  amortised  cost  using  the  effective
interest method.  Borrowings are classified as current
liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right
to  defer  settlement  of  the  liability  for  at  least  12
months after the end of the reporting period.

(p) Changes in accounting policies and

comparatives

Where  necessary,  comparative  figures  have  been
adjusted  to  conform  with  changes  in  presentation
and accounting policies in the current year.

(q)

Impairment of assets

Assets  that  have  an  indefinite  useful  life  are  not
subject  to  amortisation  and  are  tested  annually  for
impairment.  Assets  that  are  subject  to  amortisation
are  reviewed  for  impairment  whenever  events  or
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss
is  recognised  for  the  amount  by  which  the  asset's
carrying value exceeds its fair value less costs to sell.
For the purpose of assessing impairment, assets are
grouped  at  the  lowest  levels  for  which  there  are

separately  identifiable  cash  flow  (cash  generating
units).

(r) Borrowing cost

Borrowing cost incurred for the construction of any
qualifying asset are capitalised during the period of
time  that  is  required  to  complete  and  prepare  the
asset  for  its  intended  use  or  sale.    Other  borrowing
costs are expensed.

The  capitalisation  rate  used  to  determine  the
amount  of  borrowing  costs  to  be  capitalised  is  the
weighted  average  interest  rate  applicable  to  the
entity's  outstanding  borrowings  during  the  year,  in
this case 8.2% (2011 - 7.5%).

(s) Segment reporting

Operating  segments  are  reported  in  a  manner
consistent  with  the  internal  reporting  provided  to
the  chief  operating  decision  maker.  The  chief
operating  decision  maker  who  is  responsible  for
allocating  resources  and  assessing  performance  of
the  operating  segments,  has  been  identified  as  the
Strategic Steering Committee.

(t) Dividends

Provision  is  made  for  the  amount  of  any  dividend
declared  on  or  before  the  end  of  the  financial  year
but  not  distributed  at  balance  date.  The  Group
creates  a  separate  category  within  equity  to
recognise  amounts  set  aside  for  payment  of
dividends that are declared post-year end but before
the issue of the Annual Report.

(u) Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the
profit attributable to equity holders of the Group, by
the  weighted  average  number  of  ordinary  shares
outstanding  during  the  financial  year. There  are  no
potential  ordinary  shares  on  issue  and  hence  the
diluted  earning  per  share  is  equal  to  the  basic
earnings per share.

(v) Critical  judgments  in  applying  the  entity's

accounting policies

Judgements are continually evaluated and are based
on historical experience and other factors, including
expectations of future events that are believed to be
reasonable under the circumstances.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

67

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

(w) Trade and other payables

Recognition and measurement

These  amounts  represent  liabilities  for  goods  and
services  provided  to  the  Group  prior  to  the  end  of
financial  year  which  are  unpaid.  The  amounts  are
unsecured  and  are  usually  paid  within  30  days  of
recognition.

(x) Goods and services tax (GST)

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of
the  amount  of  associated  GST.  Receivables  and
payables are stated inclusive of GST. The amount of
GST  recoverable  from,  or  payable  to,  the  Taxation
authority  is  included  with  other  receivables  or
payables in the statement of financial position.

(y) Financial assets

Classification

The  Group  classifies  its  financial  assets  in  the
following  categories:  at  fair  value  through  profit  or
loss and loans and receivables. The Group does not
hold any held to maturity investments or available for
sale  financial  assets.  The  classification  depends  on
the  purpose  for  which  the  financial  assets  were
acquired. Management determines the classification
of its financial assets at initial recognition.

(i)

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Financial  assets  at  fair  value  through  profit  or
loss  are  financial  assets  held  for  trading.  A
financial  asset  is  classified  in  this  category  if
acquired principally for the purpose of selling in
the  short  term.  Derivatives  are  also  categorised
as held for trading unless they are designated as
hedges.  Assets  in  this  category  are  classified  as
current assets.  

(ii) Loans and receivables

receivables  are  non-derivative
Loans  and 
financial  assets  with  fixed  or  determinable
payments  that  are  not  quoted  in  an  active
market.  They  are  included  in  current  assets,
except  for  maturities  greater  than  12  months
after the balance sheet date. These are classified
as  non-current  assets.  The  Group's  loans  and
receivables 
and  other
receivables' and cash and cash equivalents in the
balance sheet.

comprise 

'trade 

Regular  purchases  and  sales  of  financial  assets  are
recognised  on  the  trade  date  –  the  date  on  which
the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset.

Financial assets carried at fair value through profit or
loss  are  initially  recognised  at  fair  value,  and
transaction  costs  are  expensed  in  the  income
statement.  Financial  assets  are  derecognised  when
the rights to receive cash flows from the investments
have expired or have been transferred and the Group
has  transferred  substantially  all  risks  and  rewards  of
ownership.  Loans  and  receivables  are  carried  at
amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value
of the 'financial assets at fair value through profit or
loss' category are presented in the income statement
within  'other  (losses)/gains  –  net'  in  the  period  in
which  they  arise.  Dividend  income  from  financial
assets at fair value through profit or loss is recognised
in  the  income  statement  as  part  of  other  income
when  the  Group's  right  to  receive  payments  is
established.

The  Group  assesses  at  each  balance  sheet  date
whether there is objective evidence that a financial
asset  or  a  group  of  financial  assets  is  impaired.
Impairment testing of trade receivables is described
in note 1(n).

(z) Rounding of amounts

Amounts  in  the  financial  statements  have  been
rounded off to the nearest thousand Kina.

(aa) Critical accounting estimates and assumptions

The  Group  makes  estimates  and  assumptions
concerning  the  future.  The  resulting  accounting
estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related
actual  results.  The  estimates  and  assumptions  that
have  a  significant  risk  of  causing  a  material
adjustment  to  the  carrying  amounts  of  assets  and
liabilities within the next financial year are discussed
below.

(i)

Estimated impairment of goodwill

The Group tests annually whether goodwill has
impairment.  The  recoverable
suffered  any 

68

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

amounts  of  cash-generating  units  have  been
determined based on value-in-use calculations.

(ii) Estimated fair values of investments 

The  Group  carries  an  indirect  investment  in  an
unlisted entity with changes in fair value being
recognised  in  profit  or  loss.  At  the  end  of  each
reporting period, a future maintainable earnings
calculation  is  performed,  or  if  available,  non
observable  market 
is  used  to
determine  the  appropriate  fair  value  of  the
investment.

information 

(iii) Provision for dry docking

For  vessels  on  long  term  charter  contracts,  the
cost of future dry docking is provided. The cost
of dry docking is not accurately known until the
vessels  are  surveyed  and  assessed  at  the
commencement of docking. Management have
made  estimates  based  on  the  dry  docking
interval  (ie  Special  or  Interim),  repairs  identified
at balance, its age, and docking history. 

Docking intervals are assumed to be 30 month
periods.

Docking costs are often incurred in either AUD,
USD or SGD currencies. The costings are updated
monthly for the foreign exchange rate.

2.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The  Group's  activities  expose  it  to  a  variety  of
financial  risks  including  market  risk  (including
currency,  and  interest  rate  risk),  credit  risk,  liquidity
risk  and  capital  risk.  The  Group's  overall  risk
management 
the
unpredictability  of  financial  markets  and  seeks  to
minimise  potential  adverse  effects  on  the  financial
performance  of  the  Group.  Risk  management  is
carried out under policies approved by the Board of
Directors.

program 

focuses 

on 

(a) Market risk

(i)

Foreign exchange risk

The  Group  engages  in  international  purchase
transactions and is exposed to foreign exchange
risk  arising  from  various  currency  exposures,
primarily  with  respect  to  the  Australian  dollar.
Foreign  exchange  risk  arises  from  recognised
assets and liabilities.

The  Group's  foreign  currency  purchases  do  not
represent a significant proportion of the Group's
costs and as such exposure to foreign currency
risk  is  minimal.    It  is  not  the  Group's  policy  to
hedge  foreign  currency  risk.    As  the  foreign
currency  exposure  is  minimal  no  sensitivity
analysis is provided.

(ii) Price risk

The Group is not significantly exposed to equity
securities or commodities price risk.

(iii) Cash flow interest rate risk

The  Group's  interest  rate  risk  arises  from  long-
term borrowings.  Borrowings issued at variable
rates  expose  the  Group  to  cash  flow  and  fair
value  interest  rate  risk.    Borrowings  issued  at
fixed rates expose the Group to fair value interest
rate  risk.    Long  term  borrowings  are  at  a  fixed
rate  of  interest.    It  is  not  the  Group's  policy  to
hedge cash flow and interest rate risk.

At  31  December  2012,  if  interest  rates  on  PNG
Kina-denominated  borrowings  had  been  1.0%
higher/lower  with  all  other  variables  held
constant, post-tax profit for the year would have
been  K1,311,000  (2011:  K717,000)  lower/higher,
mainly  as  a  result  of  higher/lower  interest
expense on floating rate borrowings. 

(b) Credit risk

The Group has no significant concentration of credit
risk and it is not the Group's policy to hedge credit
risk. The  Group  has  policies  in  place  to  ensure  that
sales of products and services are made to customers
with  an  appropriate  credit  history  and  has  policies
that limit the amount of credit exposure to any one
customer. No credit limits were exceeded during the
reporting period and management does not expect
any losses from non-performance by counterparties.

(c) Liquidity risk

liquidity 

risk  management 

Prudent 
implies
maintaining  sufficient  cash  and  the  availability  of
funding through an adequate amount of committed
credit  facilities. The  Group  manages  liquidity  risk  by
maintaining  sufficient  bank  balances  to  fund  its
operations  and  the  availability  of  funding  through
committed credit facilities.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

69

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

Management  monitors  rolling  forecasts  of  the
Group's  liquidity  reserve  on  the  basis  of  expected
cash flows.

Undrawn finance facilities as of 31 December 2012 is
as follows:

2012

2011

K’000

K’000

Undrawn Facilities             

102,819

119,757

The  table  below  analyses  the  Group's  financial
liabilities  which  will  be  settled  on  a  net  basis  into
relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining
period at the balance sheet date to the contractual
maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are
the contractual undiscounted cash flows.

Less than Between 1 Between 2 Over 5 
years

and 5 years

& 2 years

1 year

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

At 31 December 2012

Borrowings (171,288)

(25,365)

(262,117) (89,212)

Trade & other
payables

(149,007)

Income tax
payable

(33,903)

-

-

At 31 December 2011

-

-

-

-

Borrowings (78,299)

(290,541)

(40,935)

(29,193)

Trade & other
payables

(132,922)

Income tax
payable

(53,531)

-

-

-

-

-

-

The  Group  does  not  hold  derivative  financial
instruments.

(d) Capital risk management

The  Group's  objectives  when  managing  capital
are to safeguard the Group's ability to continue
as a going concern in order to provide returns to
shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders
and  to  maintain  an  optimal  capital  structure  to
reduce the cost of capital.

In  order  to  maintain  or  adjust  the  capital
structure,  the  Group  may  adjust  the  amount  of
dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to
shareholders,  issue  new  shares  or  sell  assets  to
reduce debt.

The  Group  monitors  capital  on  the  basis  of  the
gearing ratio. This ratio is calculated as net debt
divided by total capital. Net debt is calculated as
external  borrowings  and  unsecured  loans  less
cash and cash equivalents net of bank overdrafts.
Total capital is calculated as capital and reserves
attributable to the Company’s shareholders plus
net debt.

The  gearing  ratios  at  each  balance  date  were  as
follows:

2012

2011

K’000

K’000

Total external borrowing
& unsecured loans

477,386

397,548

Less: Cash & Cash
equivalents

Net debt

Total equity

Total capital

Gearing ratio

21,508

1,653

455,878

395,895

677,178

578,549

1,133,056

974,444

40%

41%

(e) Fair value estimation

IFRS  7  ”Financial 
Instruments:  Disclosures”
requires  disclosure  of  fair  value  measurements
by level of the following fair value measurement
hierarchy:

Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for
identical assets or liabilities (level 1).

Inputs other than quoted prices included within

70

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

The  following  table  presents  the  change  in  level  3
instruments for the year ended 31 December 2012.

Consolidated

Financial asset at fair
value through profit
and loss

2012

2011

K’000

K’000

Opening balance

45,107

52,583

Additions

-

-

Losses recognised in
profit and loss

(24,800)

(7,476)

Closing Balance

20,307

45,107

Total losses for the
period included in other
operating expenses that
relate to assets held at the
end of the reporting period 24,800

7,476

The parent entity does not hold any financial assets.

level  1  that  are  observable  for  the  asset  or  liability,
either directly (that is, as prices) or indirectly (that is,
derived from prices) (level 2).

Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on
observable  market  data  (that  is,  unobservable
inputs) (level 3).

The following table presents the Group's assets and
liabilities  that  are  measured  at  fair  value  at  31
December 2012.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

K’000

K’000

K’000

at 31 December 2012

Assets
Financial assets at fair
value through
profit & loss:

Total Assets:

at 31 December 2011 

Assets

Financial assets at fair
value through
profit & loss:

Total Assets:

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

20,307

20,307

45,107

45,107

If one or more of the significant inputs is not based
on  observable  market  data,  the  instrument  is
included in level 3.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

71

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

3. OPERATING RESULTS

(a) Revenue comprises:

Revenue from sale of goods
Revenue from provision of service
Dividend income
Other income*
Total Revenue 

* The increase in other revenue is due to the sale of a property.

(b) Operating expenses comprise:

Cost of sales
Staff costs 
Depreciation and amortisation 
Electricity and fuel
Freight
Insurance 
Motor vehicle expenses 
Shipping and survey costs 
Stevedoring
Telecommunication
Repairs and maintenance 
Other operating expenses 
Total operating expenses 

224,685
761,625
-
51,885
1,038,195

244,504
180,258
98,379
67,223
8,912
19,046
10,000
2,286
24,582
20,494
33,861
32,141
741,686

(c) The operating profit before income tax is arrived at after 
charging and crediting the following specific items:
Charges: 

Audit fees
Fees for non-audit services to Auditors
Bad and doubtful debts
Donations
Fair value impairment on financial assets

Credits:

Net foreign exchange transaction gains
Profit (loss) on sale of properties

948
688
1,962
2,201
24,800

3,567
48,937

174,867
745,490
-
14,360
934,717

217,878
155,592
77,967
60,162
6,614
20,292
9,935
12,411
23,548
16,781
31,001
37,420
669,601

875
408
944
1,921
7,476

3,081
5,401

(d) Finance costs – net:
Interest expense
Interest income
Net finance costs

(e) Staff costs:

Wages and salaries 
Retirement benefit contributions
Accommodation and other benefits

31,070
(135)
30,935

31,272
(123)
31,149

124,938
8,853
46,467
180,258

108,559
8,694
38,339
155,592

Number of staff employed by the Group at year end:
Full time

3,742

3,297

-
-
78,346
5,972
84,318

-
-
23,094
28,792
51,886

-
-
4,100
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,435
5,535

10
-
-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

-
-
-
-

-

-
-
4,095
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
876
4,971

10
-
-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

-
-
-
-

-

72

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

3. OPERATING RESULTS (continued)

(f) Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to shareholders by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares on issue during the year.  There is no difference 
between the basic and diluted earnings per share. 

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

Net profit attributable to shareholders
Weighted average number of ordinary shares
on issue (thousands)
Basic earnings per share (continuing operations)

177,700

158,261

31,008
573t

31,008
510t

-

-
-

-

-
-

4.

INCOME TAX

(a) Current tax
Deferred tax

56,180              50,781
16,946
25,234
67,727
81,414

59
-
59  

332
-
332    

(b) The income tax in the Statement of Comprehensive Income  is determined in accordance with the policy set
out in note 1(h). The effective rate of tax charged differs from the statutory rate of 30% for the following
reasons.

Prima facie tax payable on operating profit
Tax effect of rebateable dividends
Expenses not deductible for tax
Deductible expenses not recognised for accounting purposes
Income not assessable for tax
Prior year over/under provisions

(c) The deferred tax( liability)/ asset comprises:

Provisions
Prepayments
Property, plant and equipment

79,672
-
8,952
(533)
(14,519)
7,842
81,414

9,112
(2,840)
(39,170)
(32,898)

70,190
-
5,882
(428)
(7,285)
(632)
67,727

8,788
(3,472)
(12,980)
(7,664)

23,635    
(23,504)
-
-
(72)
-
59

31
-
725
756

14,075    
(6,928)
-
-
(7,285)
470
332

(87)
-
1,691
1,604

Unused tax losses for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised total K2,001,284 (2011: K1,318,367)  in a
subsidiary company.

(d) The gross movement on the deferred tax account is as follows:

At January 1
Acquisition of subsidiary
Provisions credited to profit and loss
Prepayments credited to profit and loss
Tax depreciable assets charged to profit and loss
At December 31

(7,664)
-
324
632
(26,190)
(32,898)

9,282
27
(1,119)
(1,094)
(14,760)
(7,664)

1,604
-
118
-
(966)
756

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

1,511
-
133
-
(40)
1,604

73

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

4.

INCOME TAX (continued)

(e) The ageing analysis of the deferred tax balance is as follows:

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

(549)

2,566

31

(87)

(32,349)

(10,230)

(32,898)

(7,664)

725

756

1,691

1,604

Net deferred tax asset/(liability) expected to be
recovered within 12 months

Net deferred tax asset/(liability) expected to be
recovered after more than 12 months

5.

SEGMENTAL REPORTING

(a) Description of segments

The Board considers the business from both a product and a geographic perspective and has identified four
reportable segments. A brief description of each segment is outlined below;

•

•

•

•

Commercial – consists of the retail arm of the Group and is involved in the manufacture and distribution of
food products and general IT retail sales.

Hotels and Property – consists of the hotels owned and operated by the Group and also its property leasing
division. The assets are stated at historical cost net of accumulated depreciation.

Logistics – consists  of shipping and land based freight transport divisions.

Finance and Investment – consists of the head office administration function and internal property
development projects prior to the transfer to the Hotel and Property segment.

(b) Segment information

The segment information provided to the Board for the reportable segments for the year ended 31  December
2012 is as follows:

74

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

5.

SEGMENTAL REPORTING (continued)

(b) Segment information (continued)

2012
External revenue
Intersegmental revenue
Interest revenue
Interest expense
Gain on sale of properties
Fair value loss on financial asset
Segment results
Share of associate profit
Total tax expense
Profit from continuing operations

Segment assets
Segment liabilities
Net assets
Total assets includes investment in

associates of

Capital expenditure
Depreciation and amortisation

2011
External revenue
Intersegmental revenue
Interest revenue
Interest expense
Fair value loss on financial asset
Segment results
Share of associate profit
Total tax expense
Profit from continuing operations

Segment assets
Segment liabilities
Net assets
Total assets includes investment in 

associates of

Capital expenditure
Depreciation and amortisation

Hotels &
Commercial Property

K'000

K'000

Logistics
K'000

Finance &
Investment
K'000

259,003
2,748
72
(30)
97
-
13,706
3,988
(4,112)
13,582

143,056
24,336
118,720

7,957

13,670
7,643

246,336
881
72
(38)
-
19,825
3,079
(5,948)
16,956

122,448
22,152
100,296

6,470

8,066
8,007

261,546
36,878
-
(718)
48,465
-
227,305
-
(68,191)
159,114

669,796
7,759
662,037

465,761
18,995
63
(5,593)
211
-
36,808
10,200
(11,042)
35,966

480,609
164,516
316,093

-

22,871

101,382
38,416

85,116
50,931

221,980
31,556
-
(4,186)
-
120,863
-
(36,259)
84,604

573,285
7,130
566,155

461,343
12,031
51
(8,836)
-
95,202
10,780
(28,585)
77,397

428,270
168,025
260,245

-

14,116

164,003
25,572

57,324
42,336

-
-
-
(24,729)
164
(24,800)
(12,245)
-
1,931
(10,314)

198,190
533,540
(335,350)

7,859

2,478
1,389

5,058
-
-
(18,212)
(7,476)
(1,923)
-
3,065
1,142

159,968
432,750
(272,782)

7,859

1,909
2,052

Total
K'000

986,310
58,621
135
(31,070)
48,937
(24,800)
265,574
14,188
(81,414)
198,348

1,491,651
730,151
761,500

38,687

202,646
98,379

934,717
44,468
123
(31,272)
(7,476)
233,967
13,859
(67,727)
180,099

1,283,971
630,057
653,914

28,445

231,302
77,967

These figures include non-controlling interests share of operating profit and assets.

(c) Geography

The  Group  operates  wholly  in  Papua  New  Guinea.    It  is  not  practical  to  provide  a  segment  analysis  by
geographical region within Papua New Guinea.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

75

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

6. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

The Group is controlled by John Swire & Sons (PNG) Limited, which owns 72.12% of the Company's shares.  Related
parties  comprise  other  companies  within  the  John  Swire  &  Sons  (PNG)  Group,  together  with  associate  and  joint
venture entities.

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

(a) Material transactions:

Sales of goods and services

Associates & joint ventures
Shareholders of associated companies

4,818
29,507

4,335
6,417

Lease and rental income

Associates & joint ventures

Dividends received 

Associates & joint ventures

Management fees received 

Associates & joint ventures

Royalty/license income

Associates & joint ventures
Purchase of goods and services
Associates & joint ventures
Other shareholders
Shareholders of  associated companies

Management fees paid
Other shareholders
Container/charter hire fees
Other shareholders

Interest paid

Associates & joint ventures
Other shareholders

Dividends paid

Other shareholders
Shareholders of associated companies

Intercompany loan transactions
Associates & joint ventures
Additional investment in associate 
Shareholders of associated companies

-
-

-

- 
- 

- 

4,146

302

3,935

7,191

78,346

23,094

843

180

1,460

1,342

(25,272)
(1,200)
(4,184)

(26,329)
(2,014)
(291)

(259)

(226)

(8,340)

(8,808)

(367)
(916)

(8,151)
(57,025)

(10,533)
(7,858)
11,938

-
(803)

(2,809)
(22,363)

(10,533)
(7,858)
11,938

-

-

-
-

-

-

-
-

-
-

-
-

- 

-

- 
- 

- 

-

-
-

-
-

- 
- 

All transactions with related parties are made on normal commercial terms and conditions.  

76

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

6. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES (continued)

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

(a) Material transactions (continued):

Balances receivable (payable) from/to related companies:
Consort associates
Harbourside Development Limited
Consort shareholders
Collins and Leahy
Basilok Ltd
Colgate Pamolive Ltd
Kelton Investments

(11,859)
47,000
(15,000)
(973)
(160)
500
790

(7,152)
- 
(10,000)

-       

(160)
500       
790    

-
-
- 
-    
-
-    
-   

-
-
-
-
-
-
-

(b) Directors:

G.J. Dunlop and W.L.Rothery are directors of John Swire & Sons (PNG) Limited and Collins & Leahy Holdings
Limited. Dividends were received by those directors holding an interest in the Company as set out in the
Directors' Report.     

(c) Remuneration: Income received or due and receivable both by Directors and senior managers in connection
with the management of the Group companies is shown in the Directors’ Report. The Group paid K5,916,134
(2011: K4,748,493 ) to SCL Nominees Limited for management services.

(d)   Interest in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures: These are set out in note 9 and 24.    

(e) Holding company: The ultimate Holding Company is John Swire & Sons Limited, incorporated in England.

7. CAPITAL                                                                                        

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

Issued and fully paid: 31,008,237 shares

24,200

24,200

24,200

24,200

In accordance with the Papua New Guinea Companies Act 1997 the Group has no authorised share capital and
shares of no par value.      

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

77

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

8.

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT

Property
Opening net book amount
Building under construction
Additions
Business Combinations
Disposals Cost
Disposals Accumulated Depreciation
Transfer to asset held for sale – Cost 
Transfer to asset held for sale – Accumulated       
Depreciation
Depreciation charge
Closing net book amount

Cost or valuation
Accumulated depreciation
Net book amount

Ships
Opening net book Amount
Additions
Disposals – Cost
Disposals – Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation Charge
Closing net book Amount

Cost or valuation
Accumulated depreciation
Net book amount

Plant & Vehicles
Opening net book Amount
Additions
Business Combinations
Disposals – Cost
Disposals – Accumulated Depreciation
Depreciation Charge
Closing net book Amount

Cost or valuation
Accumulated depreciation
Net book amount

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

566,572
67,046
30,148
-
(5,498)
4,067
(22,383)

13,957
(26,953)
626,956

761,761
(134,805)
626,956

175,649
32,413
(10,125)
7,666
(27,588)
178,015

450,488
63,203
71,688
173
-
-
-

-
(18,980)
566,572

692,448
(125,876)
566,572

186,442
11,568
-
-
(22,361)
175,649

325,180
(147,165)
178,015

302,892
(127,243)
175,649

196,488
67,159
-
(11,512)
10,593
(43,838)
218,890

149,580
84,843
889
(6,867)
4,669
(36,626)
196,488

438,283
(219,393)
218,890

382,639
(186,151)
196,488

34,525
-
75
-
(1,341)
1,255
-

-
(3,618)
30,896

75,569
(44,673)
30,896

-
-
-
-
-
-

6,474
(6,474)
-

1,641
435
-
(18)
6
(482)
1,582

5,122
(3,540)
1,582

37,211
-
912
-
-
-
-

-
(3,598)
34,525

76,835
(42,310)
34,525

-
-
-
-
-
-

6,474
(6,474)
-

1,772
405
-
(134)
95
(497)
1,641

4,705
(3,064)
1,641

Total property, plant and equipment

1,023,861

938,709

32,478

36,166

The cost of additions in 2012 includes capitalised borrowing costs of K9.4M (2010: K3.9M) in relation to qualifying
assets. There are no other conditions that indicate impairment of property, plant and equipment as at 31
December 2012 and 31 December 2011.
The depreciation charge on ships includes an additional K4M due to impairment.

78

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

8.

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT (continued)

Properties include commercial properties occupied by Group businesses together with commercial and residential
investment properties which are available for external lease.  An analysis of the carrying amount and estimated range
of fair values for each category of property is shown below.  Fair values have been estimated internally, based on
market evidence of property values, supported by independent professional valuations as at December 2012 for a
selected sample of representative properties.

Included in Properties are the following:

Commercial Internal
Commercial External
Residential
Total

NBV

Valuation
Lower

Range
Higher

K’000

K’000

K’000

29,306
486,209
111,441
626,956

131,402
1,122,798
189,067
1,443,267

164,253
1,403,497
236,334
1,804,084

The independent valuer utilised certain historical facts and relevant market data available up to the date of
valuation in reaching their opinion to the valuation of the properties.

Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases of investment properties not recognised in the
financial statements are receivable as follows:

Within one year

Later than one year but not later than five years

Later than five years

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

92,066

91,586

245,279

304,143

-

-

337,345

395,729

Repairs and maintenance attributable to rental properties under non-cancellable leases

3,765

Operating expenses directly attributable to rental properties under non-cancellable leases

24,115

3,444

23,352

Rental income earned from investment property in 2012 amounted to K118.6M (2011: K102.4M)

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

79

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

9.

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES, ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

(a) Investments are accounted for in accordance 

with the policy set out in Note 1(c)  and relate to:

Investments in subsidiary companies
Investments in associates and joint ventures

(b) Movement in carrying amounts  

Carrying amount at the beginning of the year
Share of profits
Income tax expense
Dividends received/receivable
Transfers/sales
Carrying amount at the end of the year

-
38,687
38,687

28,445
20,426
(6,238)
(3,935)
(11)
38,687

-
28,445
28,445

15,416
19,508
(5,649)
(7,191)
6,361
28,445

43,203
20,139
63,342

63,342
-
-
-
-
63,342

43,203
20,139
63,342

42,142
-
-
-
21,200
63,342

80

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

9.

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES, ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES (continued)

(c) Summarised financial information of equity accounted associates and joint ventures

The Group’s share of the results of its principal associates and its aggregated assets (including goodwill) and
liabilities are as follows

2012
Pacific Towing
Colgate
Harbourside Development
Makerio Stevedoring
Nikana Stevedoring
Riback Stevedoring
United Stevedoring

2011
Pacific Towing
Colgate
Harbourside Development
Makerio Stevedoring
Nikana Stevedoring
Riback Stevedoring
United Stevedoring

Ownerships
Interest

Assets

Liabilities

Carrying
Value

Revenue

Profit

%

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

50
50
50
23
23
25
12

14,238
16,652
7,859
937
1,090
14,732
403
55,911

3,544
8,695
-
330
158
4,124
373
17,224

10,694
7,957
7,859
607
932
10,608
30
38,687

17,508
35,627
-
580
442
10,242
2,551
66,950

4,733
3,987
-
287
175
4,997
9
14,188

Ownerships
Interest

Assets

Liabilities

Carrying
Value

Revenue

Profit

%

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

50
50
50
23
23
25
12

12,033
9,632
7,859
634
934
6,298
305
37,695

4,822
3,162
-
145
180
681
260
9,250

7,211
6,470
7,859
489
754
5,617
45
28,445

9,552
13,425
-
218
211
3,267
501
27,174

7,395
3,078

-    

214
279
2,881
12
13,859

(d) Within the parent company, shares in subsidiary companies have been stated at cost or valuation less

dividends received from pre-acquisition profits. Subsidiary companies are shown in note 24.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

81

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

10. GOODWILL

Opening net book amount
Additions
Impairment
Closing net book amount 

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

17,183
-
-
17,183

17,183
-
-
17,183         

-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-

Impairment tests for goodwill
Goodwill is allocated to the Group’s cash-generating units (CGUs) identified according to operating segment. The
goodwill balance of K17.2M (2011: K17.2M) is attributable to Datec (K9.2M), Consort (K0.5M) and the Manufacturing
division  (K7.5M).  The  recoverable  amount  of  a  CGU  is  determined  based  on  value-in-use  calculations.  These
calculations use pre-tax cash flow projections based on financial budgets approved by management covering a five-
year period. Growth beyond year five for the purpose of the impairment testing is set at 0%. A pre-tax discount rate
of 18.3% has been used and reflects specific risks relating to the operating segment. No goodwill is considered to be
impaired as at 31 December 2012.

11.

INVENTORIES

Raw materials
Work in progress
Finished goods
Provision for obsolescence

Consolidated

Parent Entity

2012

K’000

29,000
3
41,494
(2,116)
68,381

2011

2012

2011

K’000

K’000

K’000

2,497
1,226
49,457
(2,846)
50,334

-
-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-
-

Inventories recognised as expense during the year ended 31 December 2012 and included in cost of sales and cost
of providing services amounted to K53.6M (2011: K46.9M).

Write downs of inventories to net realisable value as an expense during the year ended 31 December 2012 amounted
to K1.7M (2011: K1.5M). The expense has been included in ‘cost of sales’ in the statement of comprehensive income.

12. NON-CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

At 31 December 2012, two properties have been presented as held for sale following the approval of the Group’s
management and directors in August 2012 to sell the properties. The transactions are expected to be completed
within twelve months from balance sheet date.

2012

2011

Property Plant and Equipment
Accumulated Depreciation
Carrying Value

K’000

K’000

22,383
(13,957)
8,426

-
-
-

82

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

13   (a). TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables
Provision for impairment

Other receivables & prepayments (see (iii) below)

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

107,528
(5,102)
102,426
140,127
242,553

133,459
(4,186)
129,273
71,360
200,633

-
-
-
3,770
3,770

-
-
-
351
351

(i)

Impaired trade receivables

As at 31 December 2012, trade receivables of K5.1M (2011: K4.2M) relating to trade debtors were considered
impaired and were provided for by management.  The ageing of these receivables is as follows:

3 to 6 months
Over 6 months

2,095
3,007
5,102

1,200
2,986
4,186

Movement in the provision for impairment of trade receivables is as follows:

Opening balance
Provision for receivables impaired
Provision written off
Total

4,186
1,962
(1,046)
5,102

3,685
944
(443)         
4,186

-
-
-

-
-
-
-

-
-
-

-
-
-
-

The creating and releasing of provision for impaired receivables is included in administration costs in the statement
of comprehensive income.  Amounts charged to the provision account are generally written off when there is no
expectation of recovering additional cash.

(ii) Past due but not impaired

As at 31 December 2012, trade receivables of K7.7M (2011: K3.4M) were past due but not impaired. These relate to a
number of independent customers for whom there is no recent history of default. The ageing analysis of these
trade receivables are as follows:

3 to 6 months
Over 6 months

7,252
91
7,317

3,414
-
3,414

-
-
-

-
-
-

The other classes within trade and other receivables do not contain impaired assets. The maximum exposure to
credit risk at the reporting date is the fair value of each class of receivable mentioned above.  The Group does not
hold any collateral as security.

(iii) Other receivables and prepayments

These amounts generally arise from transactions outside the usual operating activities of the Group. Interest may
be charged at commercial rates where the terms of repayment exceed six months. Collateral is not normally
obtained.

Prepayments
These amounts relate to advance payments for expenses not yet incurred.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

83

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

13  (b). FINANCIAL ASSET HELD AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH THE PROFIT AND LOSS

Opening balance
Additional investment
Fair value loss recorded in the profit and loss
Closing Balance

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

45,107
-
(24,800)
20,307

52,583
-
(7,476)
45,107

-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-

The financial asset is a convertible note in GEMS PNG Limited, which holds an investment in Bemobile Ltd.

14. LOANS TO ASSOCIATES AND INCORPORATED JOINT VENTURES

Harbourside Development Limited
Consort associates
Colgate Palmolive
Kelton Investments Limited
Steamship group companies

15.   CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

47,000
2,455
500
790
-
50,745

-
617
500
790
-
1,907

-
-
-
-
6,801
6,801

-
-
-
-
3,126
3,126

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

21,508
21,508

1,653
1,653

-
-

-
-

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the fair value of cash and cash equivalents in the
statement of financial position. 

84

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

16.   TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Trade Payables
Accruals
Other payables

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

74,098
43,134
31,775
149,007

57,820
44,183
30,919
132,922

-
-
-
-

-
-
565
565

All trade and other payables are due and payable within 12 months and are recorded at their carrying value.

17. PROVISIONS FOR OTHER LIABILITIES AND CHARGES

At 31 December 2011
Charged to profit & loss
Utilised during year

Short-term provisions at 31 December 2012
Long-term provisions at 31 December 2012

Employee

Dry Dock

Other 

2012
Total 

2011
Total

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

15,748
10,535
(9,059)
17,224
7,239
9,985
17,224

14,589
3,339
(13,532)
4,396
4,396
-
4,396

286
858
(121)
1,023
1,023
-
1,023

30,623
14,732
(22,712)
22,643
12,658
9,985
22,643

28,480
20,421
(18,278)
30,623
22,066
8,557
30,623

A brief description of employee and dry dock provisions is disclosed in note 1i. 

18. LOANS FROM ASSOCIATES AND INCORPORATED JOINT VENTURES

Consort Associates
Steamship group companies       
Total Loans

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

14,314        
-
14,314

7,769          
-
7,769

-

64,253    
64,253

-
59,774
59,774

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

85

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

19. BORROWINGS

Current:
Bank overdrafts (secured)
Bank loans (secured)
Other loans (unsecured)

Non-current:
Bank loans (secured)
Total Borrowings

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

37,181
107,200
16,133
160,514

316,872
477,386

48,697
-
18,460
67,157

330,391
397,548

-
-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-
-

-
-

Mortgages over certain of the Group's properties and a registered equitable mortgage over the remainder of the
Group's assets, undertakings and uncalled capital are held by the Group's bankers as security for the bank
overdrafts and secured loans.  

Interest is paid on all loans at commercial rates at a discount to Indicative Lending Rates.  The effective interest rate
on bank facilities at the balance sheet date was 8.2% (2011: 7.5%).  Bank overdrafts are interest-only with no agreed
repayment schedule. Bank loans are secured loans with varying terms.

20. COMMITMENTS

(a)  Capital Commitments
Contracts outstanding for capital expenditure:
- less than 12 months
- 1-5 years

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

127,126
3,716
130,842

132,120
5,376
137,496

-
-
-

-
-
-

(b)  Lease commitments: group as lessee
The Group leases various properties under non-cancellable operating leases. The leases have varying terms and
renewal rights. On renewal, the terms of the lease are renegotiated.

Commitments for minimum lease payments in relation to non-cancellable
operating leases are payable as follows:
Within one year
Later than one year but not later than five years
Later than five years

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

6,390
24
-
6,414

7,137
76
-
7,213

86

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

21. RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT AFTER INCOME TAX TO NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Profit for the year
Depreciation
Dividend and interest income
Net gain on sale of non-current asset
Fair value adjustment on financial assets
Share of profit after tax of associates

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects
from purchase of controlled entity
(Increase)/decrease in trade debtors
(Increase)/decrease in inventory
(Increase)/decrease in deferred tax asset
(Increase)/decrease in operating assets
Increase/(decrease) in trade creditors
(Decrease)/increase in other operating liabilities
(Decrease)/increase in provision for income tax payable
Increase/(decrease) in deferred tax liability

Consolidated

Parent Entity

Dec 12

Dec 11

Dec 12

Dec 11

K’000

K’000

K’000

K’000

198,348
98,379
-
(48,937)
24,800
(14,188)

26,847
(18,047)
-
(14,048)
16,278
(8,172)
(19,628)
25,234

180,099
77,967
-
(17,833)
7,476
(13,859)

(18,821)
4,139
9,309
5,120
1,550
6,899
2,799
7,664

78,724     
4,100
(78,346)
-
-
-

46,583
4,095
(23,094)
(24,284)
-
-

(3,418)
-
848
-
(668)
-
(1,009)
-

1,211
-
(93)
-
3,648
-
105
-

Net cash inflow from operating activities

266,866

252,509

231

8,171

22. RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The total cost of retirement benefits of the Group in 2012 was K11,058,826 (2011: K8,694,000). The Group
participates in the National Superannuation Fund of Papua New Guinea, a multi-employer defined contribution
fund, on behalf of all citizen employees with minimum employer and employee contribution rates established by
legislation. The Group also contributes to a defined contribution superannuation plan on behalf of senior
management. The defined contribution superannuation plan was established in 2002.

The parent entity does not employ staff directly; consequently there was no charge during the year.

23. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

There were contingent liabilities at the Balance Sheet date as follows:

(a) The parent entity has given a secured guarantee respect of the bank overdrafts of certain subsidiaries.

(b) The parent entity has given letters of continuing financial support in respect of certain subsidiaries,

associates and joint ventures.

No losses are anticipated in respect of these guarantees.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

87

Notes to and Forming Part of the Accounts
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

24. SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

The  consolidated  financial  statements  incorporate  the  assets,  liabilities  and  results  of  the  following  subsidiaries  in
accordance with the accounting policy described in Note 1 (c): 

Name of Entity

Country of
Incorporation

Class of
Shares

Equity

Equity

Holdings* Holdings*

2012

2011

Consort Express Lines Limited
Datec (PNG) Limited
Kavieng Port Services
Kiunga Stevedoring Company Limited
Lae Port Services Limited
Laga Industries
Madang Port Services Limited
Middle Fly Shipping Limited**
New Britain Shipping Limited**
Oro Agencies Ltd
Pacific Rumana Limited
Pacific Rumana Mobile Investments Limited
PNG Link Limited
Port Services PNG Limited
Steamships Limited
Windward Apartments Limited

Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

*The portion of ownership is equal to the proportion of voting power held.

** Consolidated by virtue of management control.

51
100
60
100
51
68
60
50
50
100
50
83
100
54
100
100

51
100
60
100
51
68
60
50
50
100
50
83
100
54
100
100

25. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS 

2011

Summary of acquisitions

On 1 January 2011, the Group concluded a share purchase transaction that saw the Company attain 100% control of
the share capital of Kiunga Stevedoring Company Limited (previously 24.5%). The total purchase price of K1,200,000
was settled in cash on acquisition. Total gain from the share purchase transaction was K290,000.

Kiunga Stevedoring Company Limited contributed revenues of K6,343,625 and net profit of K3,592,021 to the Group
for the 2011 year.

26. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On 1 January 2013 the Steamships Shipping Agencies business was transferred to China Navigation Company Pte
Limited using the global brand name ‘Swire Shipping Agencies’. 

On 26 February 2013 the Directors declared a final dividend of 170 toea per share to be payable immediately after
the  Annual  General  Meeting  on  14  May  2013. The  gross  dividend  of  K52.7M  has  been  recognised  as  a  separate
component of equity at 31 December 2012.

On  the  1st  March  2013,  New  Britain  Shipping  Limited  acquired  the  trade  and  net  assets  of  Kimbe  Shipping  and
Transport Limited for K18 million.

88

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Shareholders of
Steamships Trading Company Limited

Report on the financial statements

We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Steamships Trading Company Limited (the Company), which
comprise the statements of financial position as at 31 December 2012, the statements of comprehensive income, statements
of changes in equity and statements of cash flows for the year then ended, and the notes to the financial statements that
include a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information for both the Company and the
Group.The Group comprises the Company and the entities it controlled at 31 December 2012 or from time to time during
the financial year.

Directors’ responsibility for the financial statements

The Directors are responsible for the preparation of these financial statements such that they give a true and fair view in
accordance with generally accepted accounting practice in Papua New Guinea and the Companies Act 1997 and for such
internal controls as the Directors determine are necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s responsibility 

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in
accordance  with  International  Standards  on  Auditing. These  standards  require  that  we  comply  with  relevant  ethical
requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
from material misstatement.

An  audit  involves  performing  procedures  to  obtain  audit  evidence  about  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial
statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material
misstatement  of  the  financial  statements, whether  due  to  fraud  or  error. In  making  those  risk  assessments, the  auditor
considers the internal controls relevant to the Company and the Group’s preparation of financial statements that give a true
and  fair  view  of  the  matters  to  which  they  relate, in  order  to  design  audit  procedures  that  are  appropriate  in  the
circumstances, but  not  for  the  purpose  of  expressing  an  opinion  on  the  effectiveness  of  the  Company  and  the  Group’s
internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness
of accounting estimates, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

89

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Shareholders of
Steamships Trading Company Limited

Opinion

In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements:

1.

2.

comply with International Financial Reporting Standards and other generally accepted accounting practice in Papua
New Guinea; and

give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Company and the Group as at 31 December 2012, and their
financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements

The Companies Act 1997 requires in carrying out our audit we consider and report on the following matters.We confirm
in relation to our audit of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012:

1. we have obtained all the information and explanations that we have required;

2.

in our opinion, proper accounting records have been kept by the Company as far as appears from an examination of
those records; and

3. we have no relationships with or interests in the Company or any of its subsidiaries other than in our capacities as
auditor and tax advisor.These services have not impaired our independence as auditor of the Company and the Group.

Restriction on distribution or use

This report is made solely to the Company’s shareholders, as a body, in accordance with the Companies Act 1997. Our
audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s shareholders those matters which we are required
to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose.We do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other
than the Company and the Company’s shareholders, as a body, for our audit work, for this report or for the opinions we
have formed.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Grant Burns

Engagement Leader

Port Moresby
28 March 2012

By: Brett Entwistle

Partner
Registered under the Accountants Act 1996

90

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Directors’ Report
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

Steamships Trading Company Limited and Subsidiary Companies

The Directors submit their Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2012 for the Company and its subsidiaries.      

Principal Activities and Review of Operations

Full details of the Group's activities are given in the Directors’ Review on page 15.  The Group continues to operate in the
segments of Commercial, Hotels and Property and Logistics.

The Directors believe that there will be no significant changes in the Group's activities for the foreseeable future.

Changes in Accounting Policies

There are no changes in Accounting Policies in the year.

Result

The Group operating profit for the year attributable to shareholders was K177,700,000 (2011: K158,261,000).

Dividend

The Directors advise that a final dividend of 170 toea per share will be paid immediately after the Annual General Meeting
on  14  May  2013.   The  exchange  rate  Kina  to  Australian  Dollar  applying  on  1  May  2013  will  be  used  to  calculate  the
dividends to shareholders resident outside Papua New Guinea.

Rounding Off

Amounts in the Directors' Report and accounts have been rounded off to the nearest thousand Kina.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

91

Directors’ Report
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

Experience & Interests Register

Directors have disclosed the following experience and interests in shares in the Company and provided general disclosure
of companies in which the Director is to be regarded as interested as set out below:

Particulars of Directors

Relevant Experience & Interests

Beneficial
Shares Held

W.L. Rothery
Member of the Remuneration
Committee 
Member of the Strategic Planning
Committee 
Director since 1997
Chairman since 2006

G. Aopi CBE
Director since 1997

T. Blackburn
Director since 2011

Sir Michael Bromley KBE
Member of the Audit and Risk
Committee
Member of the Remuneration
Committee 
Member of the Strategic Planning
Committee
Director, 1986 to 1996
Director since 2000

Mr Rothery is Chief Executive and a Director of John Swire &
Sons Pty Ltd, as well as a Director of several other Swire
subsidiary companies. He has been with the Swire Group for
30 years and has been based in Asia, the Middle East and for
20 years in Australia.

Mr Aopi is an Executive Director of Oil Search Ltd, where he is
also Executive General Manager of External & Government
Affairs and Sustainability. He has substantial public service and
corporate experience in Papua New Guinea. He is a Director of
Port Moresby Stock Exchange Ltd, Marsh Ltd, F.M. Morobe Ltd,
Hirad Ltd, CDI Foundation, Wahinemo Ltd and various other
private companies. He is a former Chairman of Telikom PNG
Ltd.

Mr Blackburn is Managing Director of The China Navigation
Company Pte Ltd (a Swire Group company) and Chairman of
Mandarin Shipping Ltd. He was Director & General Manager
(2009-2011) of Hong Kong Aero Engine Services, a Director of
James Finlay Ltd (2005-2009) and from 1994 to 2005 worked
for various subsidiaries and associates of John Swire & Sons
Ltd, including Steamships Shipping & Transport.

Sir Michael Bromley has extensive international business
experience from over 40 years of operating and advising
companies in countries including Singapore, Indonesia,
Australia, Russia, China and Papua New Guinea, principally in
retail and logistics operations. He is Chairman of Heli Niugini
Ltd, Waratah Resources Ltd and Chemica Ltd, in addition to
being a Director of Maps Tuna Ltd, New Guinea Energy Ltd,
Sek No: 35 Ltd, Sonway Ltd and Hoia investments Ltd.

D.H. Cox OL
Member of the Remuneration
Committee
Managing Director 2004 to 2012
Director since 2003

Mr Cox joined Steamships as a Manager in 1992, rising to
become Managing Director 2004-2012. He has extensive
experience in the PNG business environment. He is also a
Director of Telikom PNG Ltd, Bemobile Ltd, Capital Way PNG
Ltd and GEMS PNG Ltd.

G.L. Cundle
Managing Director from 2013
Director from 2013

Mr Cundle was appointed Steamships Managing Director on
1 January 2013. He joined the Swire Group in 1979 and has
extensive corporate experience having worked with the
Group in various divisions in Hong Kong, Australia, Korea,
Japan and Papua New Guinea. He was a Non-Executive
Director of Steamships in 2006-2007 and Steamships Shipping
General Manager in 1989-1992. 

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

92

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Directors’ Report
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

Experience & Interests Register (continued)

Particulars of Directors

Relevant Experience & Interests

Beneficial
Shares Held

G.J. Dunlop
Member of the Audit and Risk
Committee
Member of the Strategic Planning
Committee
Managing Director 2000 to 2003
Director since 1995

J.W.J. Hughes-Hallett CMG, SBS
Director since 2010

Lady Winifred Kamit CBE
Chairperson of the Audit and Risk
Committee
Director since 2005

S.C. Pelling
Finance Director & Company Secretary
(appointed 21 August 2012)

Mr Dunlop is a chartered accountant with extensive experience in
the Pacific region. He is a Director of John Swire & Sons (PNG) Ltd
and Group companies, John Swire & Sons Pty Ltd, City Pharmacy
Group Ltd, Credit Corporation (PNG) Ltd, Hardware Haus Pty Ltd and
Mainland Holdings Ltd.

Mr Hughes-Hallet originally joined the Swire Group in 1976 and has
extensive corporate experience through working with the Group in
Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Australia and London. He is Chairman of
John Swire & Sons Ltd and a Director of Swire Pacific Ltd, Cathay
Pacific Ltd, Swire Properties Ltd and HSBC Holdings Ltd.

Lady Winifred Kamit is a former Senior Partner, and currently a
consultant at Gadens Lawyers in Port Moresby. She is a Councillor of
the Papua New Guinea Institute of National Affairs and Chairperson
of Coalition for Change PNG. She is a Director & Secretary of
Bunowen Services Ltd and Gadens Administration Services Ltd, and
a Director of Newcrest Mining Ltd, Nautilus Minerals Niugini Ltd,
Lihir Gold Ltd, Kamchild Ltd and ANZ Banking Group (PNG) Ltd.

Mr Pelling is a chartered accountant who was previously Finance
Director for agricultural operations in Africa with James Finlay Ltd, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of John Swire & Sons Ltd. He is a Director
of John Swire & Sons (PNG) Ltd and various Steamships Trading
Company subsidiaries and associated companies.

E.H. Ruha
Finance Director & Company Secretary
(resigned 21 August 2012)

Mr Ruha is a chartered accountant who had an extensive career
with the Steamships Group 1990-2012. He was a director of John
Swire & Sons (PNG) Ltd and other Group companies.

Remuneration of Directors
Directors remuneration received or receivable from the Company as directors during the year, is as follows:

W.L. Rothery
D.H. Cox OL*
E. H. Ruha (resigned 21 August 2012)*
G. Aopi, CBE
T Blackburn 
Sir Michael Bromley, KBE
G.J. Dunlop
J.W.J Hughes- Hallett CMG, SBS
Lady Winifred T. Kamit, CBE
C.R. Kendall (resigned 25 May 2011)
S. C. Pelling (appointed 21 August 2012)*

2012
K’000
211
-
-
84
84
211
169
84
148
-
-

* Managing Director and Finance Director receive no fees for their service as Directors during the year.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

2011
K’000
70
-
-
42
21
90
84
42
82
21
-

93

Directors’ Report
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

Directors attendance of the relevant Board and Committee Meetings is disclosed below

Board
meeting

Audit & Risk
Committees

Remuneration
Committee

Strategic Planning
Committee

W.L. Rothery
D.H. Cox OL
E. H. Ruha
G. Aopi, CBE
T Blackburn
Sir Michael Bromley, KBE
G.J. Dunlop
J. W. J Hughes- Hallett 
Lady W. T. Kamit, CBE
S.C.Pelling

Remuneration of Employees

4/4
4/4
3/4
4/4
4/4
4/4
4/4
0/4
4/4
2/2

2/2
2/2

2/2

1/1

1/1
1/1

4/4
3/4

4/4

The number of employees other than directors, whose remuneration and other benefits was within the specified bands
are as follows:

Remuneration Dec 12 Dec 11
K’000

No.

No.

1
110-120
5
130-140
3
140-150
9
150-160
4
160-170
170-180
5
180-190                       6
190-200
3
200-210                      4
210-220                      2
4
220-230
5
230-240
6
240-250
2
250-260
-
260-270
3
270-280
2
280-290
5
290-300
1
300-310
-
310-320
1
330-340
1
350-360

1
4
4
1
3
3
8
4
6
4
-
2
6
3
5
4
1
1
1
2
-
1

Remuneration Dec 12 Dec 11

K’000

360-370
370-380
380-390
390-400
400-410
410-420
420-430
430-440
440-450
450-460
460-470
470-480
480-490
490-500
510-520
520-530
530-540
540-550
550-560
560-570
570-580
590-600

No.

No.

3
1
2
4
5
2
1
5
2
3
2
-
3
2
1
1
3
-
-
1
-
2

4
-
1
1
2
1
3
-
1
-
2
2
2
1
2
1
-
2
1
1
1
-

Remuneration
K’000

Dec 12 Dec 11

No.

No.

630-640
650-660
670-680
680-690
690-700
710-720
750-760
770-780
780-790
790-800
840-850
880-890
890-900
900-910
920-930
980-990
1,010-1,020
1,020-1,030
1,120-1,130
1,150-1,160
1,180-1,190
1,340-1,350

-
1
1
2
1
-
-
1
-
1
-
-
1
-
1
-
-
1
1
-
-
-

1
1
1
-
-
1
1
-
2
-
1
1
-
1
-
1
1
-
-
1
1
1

In  addition,  an  amount  of  K5,916,134  (2011:  K4,748,493)  was  paid  to  SCL  Nominees  Limited  for  management  services.
Details of auditors' remuneration and donations are shown in Note 3 to the accounts.

For and on behalf of the Board:
Port Moresby
28th March 2013                          Chairman

W. L Rothery

G.L. Cundle
Managing Director

94

Steamships Trading Company Limited

Table of Comparisons
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

2012
K’000

2011
K’000

2010
K’000

2009
K’000

2008
K’000

2007
K’000

2006
K’000

2005
K’000

Balance Sheet
Paid up capital
Reserves
Shareholders’ funds
Minority shareholders’
interest

Fixed assets
Investments
Future deferred tax asset
Goodwill
Current assets

24,200
652,978
677,178

84,322
761,500
1,023,861
38,687
-
17,183
411,920

24,200
554,349
578,549

75,365
653,914
938,709
28,445
-
17,183
299,634

24,200
428,157
452,357

62,851
515,208
786,510
15,416
9,282
17,183
294,204

Total assets of the Group 1,491,651
370,396
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
359,755
Total liabilities of the Group 730,151
761,500
Net assets

1,283,971
283,445
346,612
630,057
653,914

1,122,595
273,056
334,331
607,387
515,208

24,200
353,883
378,083

43,854
421,937
664,196
17,939
7,305
17,183
203,480

910,103
236,847
251,319
488,166
421,937

24,200
302,595
326,795

18,336
345,131
353,261
33,337
4,150
7,578
154,508

552,834
122,562
85,141
207,703
345,131

24,200
254,230
278,430

13,684
292,114
263,276
22,225
5,358
3,568
137,623

432,050
134,941
4,995
139,936
292,114

24,200
218,833
243,033

24,200
196,161
220,361

11,094
254,127
227,773
16,839
12,944
3,568
98,006

359,130
98,517
6,486
105,003
254,127

10,056
230,417
193,639
10,572
24,207
3,068
98,588

330,074
90,867
8,790
99,657
230,417

1,038,195

Income statement
Revenue
Operating profit before
Income tax and abnormals 265,574
14,188
Share of associates’ profit
(81,414)
Income tax expense
(20,648)
Minority interests
Net profitable attributable
177,700
to shareholders
-
Prior year adjustment
-
Depreciation transfer
Dividends paid or provided (88,373)
89,327
Earnings retained this year

934,717

800,333

499,415

465,750

406,757

336,302

370,037

233,967
13,859
(67,727)
(21,838)

158,261
(1,061)
-
(58,916)
98,284

180,834
11,416
(53,935)
(21,870)

116,445
-
-
(31,008)
85,437

120,602
16,732
(34,637)
(6,137)

111,615
11,758
(27,729)
(5,418)

96,560
-
-
(45,272)
51,288

90,226
-
159
(45,272)
45,113

91,208
10,756
(23,596)
(4,211)

74,157
-
1,467
(38,760)
36,864

53,502
10,937
(14,179)
(2,781)

47,479
-
1,467
(31,008)
17,938

45,434
9,398
(12,598)
(2,026)

40,208
-
1,467
(20,157)
21,518

Ratios
Current assets to current
liabilities
Borrowings to shareholders’
funds (%)
Net tangible asset backing
per share (toea)
Net profit to revenue %
Net profit to shareholders’
funds %
Net profit per share (toea)
Dividends paid (toea)
Earnings per Shares
Earnings retained in relation
to total earnings %

1.11

1.06

1.08

0.86

1.26

1.02

0.99

1.09

68.11

65.52

83.34

73.32

34.17

13.28

10.13

12.97

24.00
17.12

26.24
573.08
285
573t

20.53
16.93

27.35
510.39
190
510t

16.06
14.55

25.74
375.53
100
376t

13.05
19.33

25.54
311.40
146
311t

11.13
19.37

27.61
290.98
146
291t

9.42
18.23

26.63
239.15
125
239t

8.20
14.12

19.54
153.12
100
153t

7.43
10.87

18.25
129.67
65
130t

50.27

62.10

73.37

53.11

53.78

49.71

37.78

53.52

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

95

Stock Exchange Information
Steamships Trading Company Limited
Year ended 31 December 2012   

Shares are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and the Port Moresby Stock Exchange.
All shares carry equal voting rights.

SHAREHOLDINGS

At 19 February 2013, there were 379 shareholders.

270
82
14
13

Holding 1
Holding 1,001
Holding 5,001
Holding 10,001

-
-
-
-

1,000 units
5,000 units
10,000 units 
and over

7 shareholders held less than a marketable parcel.

The 20 largest shareholders were:

John Swire & Sons (PNG) Limited
Bell Potter Nominees Ltd
National Superannuation Fund Ltd
John E Gill Operations Pty Ltd
Kelvinside Pty Ltd
Malcolm Burns Reid
Mr Ramesh Mahtani
Hylec Investments Pty Ltd
Intercontinental Assets Pty Ltd
Capital Nominees Limited
Bryce Family Super Fund
Engoordina Pty Ltd
Derrick Charles Whitaker
Jennifer May Forbes
Miss Shirin Moayyad
Mary Patricia Haughton
Mrs Judith Scottholland
Custodial Services Limited
Mr Michael Pairidis
Mrs Robyn A Gostelow

APPLICABLE LEGISLATION

22,362,651
6,201,000
1,859,446
54,727
25,000
22,867
21,700
20,494
15,000
12,767
12,243
11,078
10,348
10,000
10,000
8,161
8,161
7,768
7,500
7,393
30,668,304

%

72.12
20.00
6.00  
0.18
0.08
0.07
0.07
0.07
0.05
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.02
0.02
98.98

The Company is incorporated in Papua New Guinea and is not generally subject to Australian Corporations Law including,
in particular, Chapter 6 of the Australian Corporations Law dealing with the acquisition of shares (including substantial
shareholdings and takeovers).  The Company is subject to the requirements of the Papua New Guinea Companies Act
1997, Securities Act 1997 and the Takeovers Code.  The Companies Act and the Securities Act regulate the issue and buy-
back of shares and contain provisions as to the trading in securities, provisions as to financial benefits to related parties,
substantial shareholders provisions, remedies in cases of oppression or injustice and actions by, and access to, records by
shareholders.

The Takeovers Code regulates offers where a person already holds more than 20% of the voting rights in a company or
where a person becomes the holder of more than 20% of the voting rights in a manner permitted by the Code.

A code offer, which can either be a full offer or a partial offer, must be extended to all holders of voting securities in the
Company.  The Code also contains compulsory purchase and sale provisions if more than 90% of the shares are acquired
under an offer.

96
96

Steamships Trading Company Limited
Steamships Trading Company Limited

WEWAK

MADANG

MT HAGEN

GOROKA

KIUNGA

KAVIENG

RABAUL

BUKA

KIMBE

KIETA

LAE

POPONDETTA

ORO BAY

PORT MORESBY

Company Directory

Chairman
W. L. Rothery §&

Executive Directors
G. L. Cundle, §
Managing Director (appointed 1/1/2013)

S. C. Pelling
Finance Director (appointed 21/8/2012)

E.H Ruha
Finance Director (resigned 21/8/2012)

Non-Executive Directors
G. Aopi, CBE
T. Blackburn
Sir Michael Bromley, KBE §+&
G. J. Dunlop +&
J.W.J Hughes- Hallett CMG, SBS
Lady W. T. Kamit, CBE +
D. Cox OL (Managing director to 31/12/12)

Registered Office
Champion Parade
Telephone:  +675 322 0222
P.O. Box 1
Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea

Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers
P.O. Box 484
Port Moresby 
Papua New Guinea

Share Registrars
Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited
GPO Box 2975
Melbourne VIC 3001
AUSTRALIA
Telephone: 
(Aus)
(Overseas) +61 (0)3 9415 4000
Fax:

+61 3 9473 2500

1300 85 05 05

+  Member of the Audit and Risk Committee 
§   Member of the Remuneration Committee 
&  Member of the Strategic Planning Committee

Stock Exchange
Shares  are  listed  on  both  the  Port  Moresby  Stock
Exchange  Limited  and  the  Australian  Securities
Exchange Limited.

Secretary
S. C. Pelling  

A. R. B. N.
055 836 952

L946 - ACA Steamships AR Proxy 287x200  27/3/13  2:09 PM  Page 1

STEAMSHIPS TRADING COMPANY LIMITED
INCORPORATED IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA        ARBN 055 836 952

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the Eighty-Ninth Annual General Meeting of Stockholders will be held at the Company's
Registered Office, Corner of Champion Parade and Hunter Street, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea,
on Tuesday 14th May 2013 at 11.00am to consider the following items of business.

1. To receive the Directors' report and accounts for the year ended 31st December 2012.

2. To elect Directors S.C. Pelling and G.L. Cundle, having been appointed by the Board, whom in accordance with

Clause 15.6 require election at the Meeting. D.H. Cox, OL and Lady Winifred T. Kamit, CBE retire as Directors in
accordance with Clause 15.3 of the Constitution and, being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.

3. To re-appoint auditors and to fix their fees and expenses. PricewaterhouseCoopers, the retiring auditors, offer

themselves for re-appointment.

4. To carry out any other business that may be brought before the Meeting in conformity with the Constitution.

By order of the Board
S.C. Pelling, Secretary

Port Moresby
12th April 2013

PROXY

SEE OVERLEAF

L946 - ACA Steamships AR Proxy 287x200  27/3/13  2:09 PM  Page 2

STEAMSHIPS TRADING COMPANY LIMITED
INCORPORATED IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA        ARBN 055 836 952

The Secretary
Steamships Trading Company Limited
PO Box 1, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

PROXY FORM

I/We, ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................(full names)

of ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................(address)

a member of Steamships Trading Company Limited appoint .................................................................................................................................
or W. L. Rothery, Chairman of Directors and the nominee for casting votes, or failing him the Chairman of the
Meeting as my/our proxy to vote for me/us and on my/our behalf at the Annual General Meeting of the Company
to be held at 11.00am on the 14th May 2013 and at any adjournment thereof.

Dated this ................................................................................................day of....................................................................................................................2013

Signed ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

A member entitled to attend and vote is entitled to appoint a proxy who need not be a member of the Company.
Proxies must be received at the Registered Office of the Company at least 48 hours before the time of the meeting.
Should you desire to direct your proxy how to vote, please place a mark in the appropriate box.

For

Against

1. To receive the report and accounts
2. To elect Directors

(i) S.C. Pelling

(ii) G.L. Cundle

(iii) D.H. Cox, OL

(iv) Lady W.T. Kamit, CBE

3. To re-appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers as auditors and fix their fees and expenses.