By LESLIE OMARO

RABAUL Shipping’s services to Buka and other ports in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have been suspended indefinitely.
In a letter to Rabaul Shipping owner Peter Sharp, Transport Minister Francis Awesa advised him the suspension was effective as of March 21.

“Due to the regrettable seizure and subsequent burning of your ships in the port of Buka, the Department of Transport wishes to advise you that your shipping services have been suspended until further notice,” Awesa said.

“The turn of events on March 17’s burning of your three vessels by ex-combatants is outrageous and the department totally condemns this action.”

On Feb 2, the mv Rabaul Queen, one of Sharp’s vessels, sank off the coast of Finschhafen, Morobe province, with 229 people listed as missing.  Frustrated rebel elements burned the vessels mv Solomon Queen, Kopra 3 and Kopra 4 after Sharp failed to meet demands for compensation for the victims.
The three ships were impounded at Buka, since the sinking of the mv Rabaul Queen, and were towed to a nearby reef and set alight.  Since then Rabaul Shipping has closed its office in Buka.
Awesa said the Bougainville government, with the endorsement of the national government, had instituted an investigation into the matter.

“In order to prevent the occurrence of a similar incident and to protect lives and property it is vital that you refrain from operating to Bougainville.  “The situation is very tense.  “And your presence in the area may incite further escalation of unlawful activities that could affect maritime shipping,” Awesa said.

He said the department was aware of the conditions of Rabaul Shipping’s coastal trade licence to trade unrestricted in PNG waters.

“However, in the view of the recent events, all shipping in ABG by Rabaul Shipping is hereby suspended,”  Awesa said. 

PNG Ports will be responding to the suspension today after the company was asked, via email, if it received a copy of the suspension letter from the transport minister on Rabaul Shipping services to Buka Port been suspended.
Attempts to contact Rabaul Shipping office, Sharp or his lawyer Jaclyn Maribu to comment were unsuccessful.