Steamships Trading Company was a major sponsor of the 2019 Hiri Moale Festival – a major annual event in Papua New Guinea’s capital that showcases Motu Koita seafaring culture and highlights epic trading voyages of the past. Steamships presented a 100,000 Kina cheque as part of its sponsorship to fund the construction of a traditional lagatoi: the iconic vessel with a claw-like sail that is the festival’s centrepiece. The two-day festival took place in September and included activities such as Vanagi (canoe) races, the arrival of the lakatoi and the Hiri Hanenamo competition (crowning of the Festival Queen). Steamships has a longstanding relationship with the Motu Koita people and is committed to honouring its close ties with the community, supporting cultural events and preserving its rich traditions.
