PNG’s Maritime Security Challenges and the Need for a National Strategy

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PNG has recently sought U.S. assistance in maritime security, particularly in combating IUU fishing within its EEZ. This cooperation is facilitated through the 2023 Shiprider Agreement, under which PNG law enforcement officers can board U.S. Coast Guard vessels to enforce national laws in PNG waters. The deployment of USCGC MIDGETT in PNG’s waters underscores the importance of international partnerships in addressing PNG’s pressing maritime security concerns. However, while such collaborations are valuable, they highlight a critical gap in PNG’s security architecture—the absence of a National Maritime Security Strategy (NMSS).

A NMSS is vital for a country like PNG, whose maritime domain is significantly larger than its landmass. Without a clear strategic framework, PNG risks a reactive approach to maritime security, relying heavily on ad hoc partnerships rather than a well-coordinated national effort. The NMSS should provide a roadmap for addressing key threats such as IUU fishing, transnational crime, human trafficking, and environmental degradation. While PNG has a National Security Policy (NSP), maritime security has often been overlooked as a distinct component of national security, despite its economic, political, and strategic significance.

The recent collaboration with the United States should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to institutionalize maritime security within the broader national security framework. The forthcoming Foreign Policy White Paper provides an opportunity to articulate PNG’s maritime security priorities and how they align with its broader foreign policy objectives. This alignment is critical because maritime security is not just a domestic issue; it is deeply intertwined with regional and international dynamics. PNG's strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region means that its maritime security challenges are shared concerns for regional and global partners, including the U.S., Australia, and China.

From a Blue Security perspective, maritime security should not be viewed solely through the lens of law enforcement and defense. Instead, it should incorporate economic security, environmental protection, and human security. IUU fishing, for example, does not just pose a legal challenge; it undermines food security, affects livelihoods, and contributes to economic instability. PNG’s fisheries sector is a major contributor to national revenue and local employment, yet weak maritime surveillance has allowed illegal actors to exploit PNG’s rich marine resources. A well-structured NMSS would ensure that maritime security is linked to economic and environmental sustainability.

Screenshot of my chapter from the Taylor and Francis website.

Moreover, PNG must recognize that a national strategy cannot function in isolation—it must be implemented through strong regional cooperation. The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency and the Pacific Maritime Security Program offer existing frameworks that PNG can integrate into its NMSS. Strengthening bilateral and multilateral engagements will ensure that PNG maximizes external assistance while maintaining sovereignty over its maritime domain. The NMSS should clarify PNG’s stance on foreign military and security partnerships, ensuring that they are aligned with national interests and foreign policy objectives.

An effective NMSS should also leverage PNG’s growing partnerships with emerging maritime security actors, such as China, Indonesia, and Japan. While the U.S. Coast Guard’s involvement is a significant step forward, PNG must diversify its security partnerships to avoid over-reliance on a single actor. For instance, China has also provided maritime security assistance to PNG, including training programs. A balanced, well-articulated maritime strategy will help PNG navigate geopolitical tensions while ensuring its maritime security needs are met.

The urgency for a NMSS cannot be overstated. With increasing global interest in the Pacific, PNG must take the lead in defining its own maritime security agenda. The NMSS must be closely aligned with the National Security Policy and the Foreign Policy White Paper to create a cohesive and comprehensive security architecture. Without a clear strategy, PNG risks being pulled in different directions by external actors, rather than proactively shaping its own security and development trajectory.

In conclusion, PNG’s request for U.S. assistance highlights both an opportunity and a challenge. While international partnerships strengthen PNG’s capacity to address maritime threats, they also expose the need for a structured, long-term approach to maritime security. A NMSS that aligns with national security and foreign policy goals will ensure that PNG’s maritime domain is protected, sustainable, and strategically managed for future generations. It is time for PNG to take ownership of its maritime security and chart a course towards a safer and more secure Blue Pacific.

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