Lae port is PNG's largest, busiest, and most important port. It is a gateway linking world markets with PNG and a large hinterland containing 40% of PNG's population and half of PNG's economic capacity, including hydrocarbon and mineral resources. Lae port's cargo throughput has increased by 7.8% annually since 2006. In 2011, the cargo through Lae port is estimated to reach 3.3 million revenue tons, stretching the port to the limit of its capacity.
Lae is now the main industrial hub of Papua New Guinea and have estimated population of 100,000 by 2018. The port is connected by Highland Highway which is the main land transport corridor between the highland region of Papua New Guinea and the coast.
