(Caption: L-R: Acting PM John Rosso with Chairman of Swire Shipping Sam Swire. photo source, PNG Department of Prime Minister and NEC)
Approved for Release: Saturday, November 19, 2022
Acting Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso has congratulated the Swire Shipping Group and its subsidiaries on reaching 150 years of doing business around the world and 84 years of operating its shipping service in Papua New Guinea.
The Acting Prime Minister said John Swire & Sons Limited started operations on the Yangtze River in China in 1872 and commenced operations in Papua New Guinea in 1938.
He said Swire’s first regular shipping service between Papua New Guinea and Australia started in 1960 and it was called the New Guinea Australia Line.
“I thank Swire for not only employing Papua New Guineans but also training them to be good corporate citizens. Swire Shipping alone employs over 160 people in Papua New Guinea and Steamships, a subsidiary of Swire Shipping, employs over 3000 Papua New Guineans country wide.
“I am happy to hear that the company has very good interaction with its staff and one of its policies is to ensure that it looks after its staff.”
Acting Prime Minister Rosso also congratulated 25 Papua New Guinean employees of Swire Shipping who have served 10 – 25 years with the company saying; “Unlike everything else, good staff are hard to come by and are critical to any organization's growth and prosperity”.
He commended the company for recognising their loyalty, dedication and service.
“For those employees, I congratulate them for their service and loyalty and as an example to all other Papua New Guineans. Work ethics and loyalty are very important attributes and this needs to be installed in our country so that our people can learn and practise these habits.
The Acting Prime Minister said those are things that we really need to improve on as a nation.
Loyalty to our employers, loyalty to the nation, discipline, these are the essence of every individual and for every organization.
He said we need to encourage that in our nation and having companies like Swire group, build it into their organization and employees is a great attribute.
Swire Shipping also employs over 100 Papua New Guinean seafarers who man deep sea vessels and since 2018, has trained and employed female deck and engine room cadets.
Acting Prime Minister Rosso said that is the way to go because women make up about 50% of the population of Papua New Guinea.
He also congratulated 12 female officer cadets currently undergoing training as well as the 10 who just completed their officer cadet training this year.
"Once again congratulations to Swire Shipping on their 150 years achievement since they commenced operations.
"And I wish them well in their future endeavors and growth, especially in our country Papua New Guinea where they provide a critical service," Acting PM Rosso said.
He said Swire employs hundreds of Papua New Guineans who directly and indirectly pay taxes and also contribute in training young people.
"I commend them for being a good corporate citizen in which they prosper and grow. They also participate in the development of our country," Acting PM Rosso said.
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(Source: PNG Department of Prime Minister and NEC)
Solomon Islands 
Papua New Guinea 
