The Container Examination facility is located at the Curtain Brothers’ Dock Yard, outside Port Moresby.
It took the national government almost seven years to build, at a cost of K50 million.
PNG Customs Commissioner, Ray Paul, said the facility will cut down the amount of time customs officers take to do manual checks. Consequently, he is expecting the facility to process at least 40 containers in a day, but challenged customs officers to look after the facility.
The Examination Facility contains inspection rooms, and check stations where scanning of containers can be done, with the click of button.
However, if customs officers find prohibited items, they have the powers to conduct thorough checks on the entire container.
Minister Pruaitch, and Finance Minister, James Marape, were given a tour of the facility during its launch today.
After formal speeches, a ribbon was cut to mark the official opening of the facility.
PNG Customs has over the last five years started using new technologies, to monitor the transportation of items that come in, or go out of the country, at international airports and wharves.
The launching of this container examination facility is a benchmark set by PNG Customs to examine all containers that come into Papua New Guinea.
A similar facility is expected to be built in Lae.
