The project has embarked upon a program of construction of 40 jetties and pontoons. This is the first phase in a broader program of jetty construction of 200 jetties agreed upon by the NEC in 2008. The jetties are designed to be suitable for work boats and banana boats. They will contribute to vessel safety and efficiency by eliminating the need for unsafe cargo lightering off the side of the vessel.
The costs of the program are being reduced by using a limited number of standardized designs. The jetties are designed to be robust with relatively low maintenance requirements.

The first 40 jetties will be built in East Sepik, Manus, New Ireland, East New Britain, West New Britain and Morobe provinces. The infrastructure design was undertaken in 2009 and early 2010 and the first tender was launched in May 2010. Negotiations are currently underway with the preferred bidder. Construction is planned for the second half of 2011 and the first half of 2012.

Maintenance of the structures will be carried out by suitably qualified local contractors, under the supervision of the Maritime Division of the Department of Transport.