Report: Why Local Expertise Trumps Big Consulting in Papua New Guinea’s Maritime Security

Why it matters

Maritime and shore security in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a critical concern for both government bodies and corporate operators. With a vast coastline, remote islands, and rich marine resources, PNG faces threats ranging from piracy and smuggling to safety challenges for shipping and offshore operations. Decision-makers – from defence officials to mining executives – must weigh these risks and choose security partners wisely. Many might instinctively turn to large global consultancies for solutions, but the unique conditions in PNG demand a different approach. This article explores key players in PNG’s maritime and shore domain, what drives their decisions, and why specialised local firms offer more value than big consulting names for protecting PNG’s waters.

Government Agencies: Guardians of PNG’s Waters

PNG’s government agencies are on the front line of maritime security. Key decision-makers include the PNG Defence Force (particularly its maritime units), the Royal PNG Constabulary’s Water Police, the National Maritime Safety Authority, Customs and Immigration authorities, and departments overseeing ports and transport. These agencies collaborate to safeguard territorial waters, prevent illegal activities, and respond to incidents. Their primary concerns centre on protecting national sovereignty and public safety: stopping sea piracy, interdicting drug and arms smuggling, and monitoring illegal fishing and border incursions . A huge pain point is PNG’s sheer scale and geography – thousands of kilometres of coastline and many isolated islands make full surveillance difficult. Officials know that limited resources and patrol assets leave dangerous gaps: informal reports indicate piracy has been rising “due to the sheer area of coast and offshore waters to be patrolled and a severely underfunded, undertrained and overstretched police force”. In short, capacity constraints are a constant headache, influencing leaders to seek external support, new technologies, and innovative strategies to cover more water with fewer resources.

PNG’s multi-agency approach to maritime security is evident. In August 2023, the PNG Defence Force, Customs Services, National Fisheries Authority, and the Department of Transport’s maritime security division joined the U.S. Coast Guard for a joint patrol planning exchange in Port Moresby, targeting illegal fishing and piracy . This example highlights how collaboration (often with international partners) shapes decision-making. Government officials are keen on solutions that strengthen coordination among agencies and improve on-the-ground capabilities. They favour security initiatives that are practical and sustainable – whether it’s establishing a dedicated coast guard unit, acquiring patrol vessels (often with donor help), or contracting specialised security teams to protect critical infrastructure. Ultimately, government decision-makers are driven by the need to assert control over PNG’s vast maritime domain and to reassure the public (and allies) that lawlessness at sea will not undermine national security or economic development.

Corporate Clients: Shipping, Mining, Energy & Offshore Sectors

For businesses operating in PNG’s maritime environment, security is not just a checkbox – it’s mission-critical. In fact, companies routinely cite security as their single most important challenge in PNG . Corporate decision-makers in this arena include shipping line managers, port facility operators, mining and oil/gas company executives, and logistics coordinators for offshore projects. Their primary concerns are protecting assets, personnel, and supply chains against the very real threats. For international shipping companies and port operators, piracy and armed robbery at sea pose risks to cargo, crew complicates operations and diminishes the confidence of international Partners. While PNG is not a hotspot of large-scale hijackings, opportunistic attacks are a serious issue – especially in certain provinces. Small boats of organised thieves have been known to approach anchored vessels under cover of darkness to steal whatever they can; if confronted, these offenders readily resort to“extreme violence” . Such incidents drive up insurance costs and can disrupt shipping schedules, subsequently maritime insurers and security advisors often influence the precautions shippers take (such as hiring onboard guards or avoiding high-risk routes).

Mining and energy corporations – many of which are multinational – are also actively managing unique security risks. Their operations often rely on coastal infrastructure: think of fuel and equipment being offloaded at a remote island dock, or an LNG export terminal near Port Moresby. Any downtime caused by security breaches (theft, vandalism, or even local unrest spilling over) directly impacts their bottom line. Executives in these sectors worry about ensuring safe passage for supplies and exports, as well as safeguarding their offshore rigs or vessels servicing undersea resource sites. Kidnapping of staff and sabotage, while less common at sea than on land, are not unheard of and factor into risk assessments . Moreover, compliance and reputation matter: companies must adhere to international safety standards (such as the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) for port and ship security) and show stakeholders they can operate safely in PNG. This means corporate security managers are often looking for tailored solutions – for example, community engagement to prevent local conflicts near project sites, or specialised marine escorts through piracy-prone waters – rather than generic “one-size-fits-all” security packages. The influence of cost is ever-present too: private security in PNG is a big expense (the country’s private security industry is worth over 1 billion kina annually ), and corporate leaders highly scrutinise value on security contracts. They require providers who understand the nuances of operating in PNG, can act quickly when a threat arises, and will proactively reduce risks so that business can continue uninterrupted.

Why Big Consulting Firms Fall Short in PNG’s Maritime and Shore Security

Given these high stakes, why not hire a famous global consultancy like Deloitte, EY, or KPMG to devise a security masterplan? The reality is that big consulting firms are often not the best fit for PNG’s maritime security challenges. Here are the key reasons why industry insiders often steer away from the “Big Four” in this context:

• Lack of Specialised Local Expertise: PNG’s maritime and shore domain issues are intertwined with local geography, customs, and community dynamics that outsiders can easily misread. Large consultancies might have impressive resumes, but they typically lack on-the-ground regional expertise in a niche field like Melanesian maritime security. A generic team flown in for a few weeks can miss critical cultural factors or fail to foresee how unsettled activity in a coastal village could threaten a port facility. In contrast, a firm embedded in PNG will have personnel who speak the language(s), know the history of piracy in areas such as Milne Bay, and even have relationships with local law enforcement. This depth of understanding leads to solutions truly tailored to the unique challenges of PNG’s maritime environment . Even PNG’s own professional services leaders acknowledge that an overseas approach doesn’t automatically work in PNG’s context – success requires time and trust on the ground  . Big consultancies rarely invest that time; specialised local providers do.
• High Costs vs. Value Delivered: Engaging a Big Four firm usually comes with a hefty price tag. These firms have large overheads and global brand premiums built into their fees. Yet, in many cases clients may “get the same expertise and, oftentimes, better service at substantially lower fees” by choosing a smaller, regional firm . In PNG, budget constraints are very real – government departments operate with limited funds, and even big corporations must justify security expenditures to shareholders. Paying top dollar for a Deloitte or KPMG might be hard to swallow if the deliverables are glossy reports long on theory, lack meaningful indigenous insight and short on actionable steps. Value for money is critical: decision-makers will favour a provider who can demonstrate tangible improvements (fewer thefts, faster response times, improved safety metrics) per kina spent. Smaller specialised firms tend to be more lean, innovative, cost-efficient and engaging with cultures, therefore channelling resources accurately into highly impactful outcomes-focused operations (such as intelligence, risk mitigation and capability building the local workforce) rather than into cost-wasteful layers of corporate hierarchy and bureaucracy.
• Bureaucratic and Remote Consulting vs. Agile Response: Big consultancies are known for their structured methodologies and multi-level approval processes. In a fast-evolving security situation – say a sudden spike in piracy incidents along a shipping route – a slow, bureaucratic approach can be frustrating. Clients in PNG have noted that some international consultants operate on a fly-in/fly-out model, where experts visit briefly, give advice, and leave . This can lead to cookie-cutter solutions that don’t adapt over time. Furthermore, implementation of recommendations often falls back to the client, as big firms may not stay around for hands-on execution. Maritime security requires 24/7 vigilance and the ability to pivot quickly. A locally based firm can provide that agility: their teams are on-site, able to respond in real-time, and adjust tactics as conditions change (for example, rerouting a patrol based on an overnight intelligence operation). Big consulting firms simply aren’t structured to offer that kind of nimble operational support in PNG’s remote settings.
• Generic Frameworks vs. Tailored, On-the-Ground Solutions: Large consultancies often rely on standardized frameworks and global best practices. While there’s value in those, they can fall flat if not customised to PNG’s reality. It’s the difference between receiving a high-level strategy document and having a partner who actively implements a security plan side by side with the client. PNG’s maritime security problems don’t have off-the-shelf answers – they require creativity and local innovation. For example, deterring pirate attacks on local ferries might involve community outreach to coastal villages and working with tribal leaders – an approach a boutique local firm could implement, but a generic consulting firm may be unable to enact. A full-service company will focus on practical measures: setting up early-warning networks with fishermen, hardening a specific port’s weak spots, or training a crew in evasive manoeuvres. These bespoke solutions are informed by lived experience. As Forty-Nine Group, a PNG-based full-service firm, emphasises, what sets such specialists apart is a “deep commitment to Papua New Guinea’s development and understanding of its cultural and operational nuances,” leading to innovative solutions designed around clients’ real needs . Big consultancies may offer impressive PowerPoints, but local firms deliver plans that work on PNG soil (and water).

The Case for Specialised, Locally Embedded Firms like Forty-Nine Group

In PNG’s challenging maritime arena, specialised local providers offer a smarter alternative.Firms such as Forty-Nine Group exemplify this with their full-service model: they are PNG-centric, staffed by a cultural mix of experts spanning PNG and Australia, who have served in law enforcement, military, government and commercial enterprises, all driven by one mission; to bring prosperity to PNG by securing critical infrastructure and resources across the maritime and shore domain . Being embedded in the local context means these firms start with a built-in“deep understanding of the unique challenges” . They know the terrain (from treacherous reefs to isolated atolls where pirates stage attacks), and have family and tribal links to native stakeholders, such as village elders and provincial officials). This allows smaller localized firms to craft security strategies that are holistic and sustainable. For instance, a big consultancy might recommend high-tech drones for surveillance; a local firm will know to also invest in training village lookouts and integrating traditional knowledge of the sea, yielding a more reliable intelligence and early warning.

Locally embedded firms also offer continuity and accountability. They don’t parachute in for a project and vanish – they are there for the long haul, maintaining the security infrastructure they implemented. Clients have access to dependable and familiar points of contact and are able to build deeper relationships with those who understand the situation on the ground, rather than a rotating cast of consultants. This builds trust – a currency as valuable as kina in the security business. Additionally, firms like Forty-Nine Groupreinvest in the community, hiring and upskilling Papua New Guineans. Not only does this approach bolster local capacity (aligning with government aims), it also fosters community buy-in so vital in PNG, where respecting local culture can mean the difference between cooperation and conflict.

From a results perspective, specialised firms such as Forty-Nine Group meet decision-maker requirements, both tangible and intangible. They provide tailored risk assessments and robust, actionable plans for clients – whether it’s a mining consortium needing to secure an offshore loading facility or a government agency seeking to upgrade its coastal port infostructure. Forty-Nine Group is turn-key, handling the project lifecycle beginning-to-end: consulting, implementation, and continuous monitoring. As one regional security analysis noted, if PNG’s security needs were left solely to distant actors, the country would face “significantly worse problems of insecurity” – the rise of PNG’s own private security sector has been a necessary response . In other words, local expertise has stepped in where outside systems struggled.

By choosing a local specialist like Forty-Nine Group, PNG’s government and corporate players get a partner who is invested in PNG’s stability above all else. The firm’s goals align naturally with the client’s goals, because they are one and the same community. This alignment leads to greater dedication and often more innovative solutions. One example of a custom approach; Forty-Nine Group can develop a bespoke strategy that combines advanced technologies with grassroots human intelligence – by deploying low-cost technology such as drones with commercially available intelligence, surveillance and recognisance (ISR) capabilities, accompanied with human intelligence shared through programs with local fishermen. The data gathered feeds into a central monitoring station and utilizes detection and identification software. Assets and resources can be notified and redirected ahead of time to mitigate or avoid risk alltogether. This one strategy is an actionable and multi-layered approach that may differentiate from larger consultancies.

Conclusion: Local Expertise is the Key to PNG’s Maritime Security

In the high-risk maritime environment of Papua New Guinea, decision-makers cannot afford to get it wrong when choosing security solutions. Government agencies need partners who understand the enormity of the task and can enhance limited capacities, while companies need providers who will protect their people and assets without breaking the bank. The consensus among many industry professionals is clear: locally embedded firms offer a better fit for PNG’s maritime security needs than the big consulting brands. By leveraging intimate local knowledge, providing cost-effective yet customized services, and maintaining an agile, boots-on-deck presence, these specialised firms bridge the gap between strategy and execution. They turn plans into patrolled sea lanes and secure ports, which is ultimately what PNG needs. Maritime and shore security in PNG will always be a challenge – the geography and socio-economic conditions almost guarantee that but with the right partners, it’s a challenge that can be met. Firms like Forty-Nine Group prove that when you pair global best practices with local insight and dedication, you get solutions that truly work for PNG. In an environment where trust, adaptability, and cultural understanding are paramount, the boutique local approach outshines the big consultancies. Decision-makers looking to safeguard PNG’s seas would do well to “think local” – because in Papua New Guinea’s waters, local expertise isn’t just an advantage, it’s a necessity.

Sources

The analysis above draws on insights from PNG security experts and reports, including evidence of rising piracy and capacity shortfalls ets-riskmanagemnet.com  postcourier.com.pg , corporate security concerns in PNG businessadvantagepng.com , and industry perspectives on the value of local expertise over big-name consultancies cpapracticeadvisor.com . These sources underscore that effective maritime security in PNG hinges on deep local engagement and specialized knowledge, rather than generic approaches.