25/03/2026
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Shipping tensions in the Middle East bring Papua New Guinea’s sea lanes into sharper focus
LAE|24 March 2026: Instability in the Middle East is once again affecting global shipping patterns, with consequences stretching well beyond the Gulf. As movements tighten around the Strait of Hormuz, vessels are adjusting schedules and routes where possible, placing greater weight on corridors that connect Australia, the Pacific and Asia.
One of those corridors runs directly through Papua New Guinea.
The Jomard Passage, located in Milne Bay, forms a narrow but essential link between the Coral Sea and the Solomon Sea. Ships departing Australia’s east coast pass through this route as they head toward North Asia, carrying coal, liquefied natural gas and container freight. The passage sits at a point where several south–north routes converge, creating a steady stream of traffic moving through confined waters bordered by reef systems.
Defined two-way shipping lanes now guide vessels through the area, reflecting the density of movement. The charted route shows how ships are channelled into specific tracks, reducing the risk of collision in a passage where manoeuvring room is limited. Depth variations, reef edges and narrow clearances mean navigation demands precision, particularly for larger vessels.
From Jomard, traffic continues north-west through the Vitiaz Strait, a stretch of water between mainland Papua New Guinea and New Britain. This second leg carries vessels into the Bismarck Sea and onward to major markets across East Asia. Together, the two routes form a continuous maritime corridor linking Australian exports and Pacific resource flows with Asia.
Live vessel tracking shows how concentrated that movement has become. Ships form visible corridors across the Coral Sea, tightening as they approach Papua New Guinea before dispersing again toward the north. The pattern reflects long-established trade routes shaped by distance, fuel efficiency and navigational constraints.
The environmental sensitivity of the area has long been recognised. The Jomard Entrance was designated a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area by the International Maritime Organization in 2016, acknowledging both the ecological value of surrounding reefs and the risks associated with heavy international shipping. Coral systems sit close to established lanes, leaving little margin for error.
Navigation systems and tracking coverage have improved over time, but the scale of oversight remains modest compared with major global choke points. Distances are wide, response times depend on conditions, and infrastructure is spread across remote areas.
The shift now underway is subtle but significant. Disruptions in the Middle East are not stopping trade, but they are reshaping how ships move through the system. Routes that remain open and efficient are absorbing more pressure as operators manage risk and maintain schedules.
Papua New Guinea sits directly within that network. Its sea lanes have carried this traffic for years, linking Australian exports, regional energy flows and Asian demand. What is changing is the level of attention they are beginning to receive, as global shipping adjusts to a less predictable environment.
