An unexploded Chinese-manufactured 130mm artillery round found in Port Moresby, Australia

[william]

According to publicly reported PNG police findings, the suspected artillery projectile recently discovered in a commercial shipping container in Port Moresby has been identified as an unexploded Chinese-manufactured 130mm artillery round containing explosives and a fuse. It was not a wine bottle.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2118184106022555836

• The U.S. Embassy in Australia posted to highlight PNG police findings identifying a 32kg object found in a Port Moresby shipping container as an unexploded Chinese Type 59 130mm artillery round with explosives and fuse, explicitly rejecting the Chinese embassy's claim it was a harmless "shell-shaped wine bottle."
• The device was discovered at a construction site/wharf last week, leading to the arrest of four Chinese nationals; PNG authorities used an Australian-donated X-ray machine for analysis, with the police report now with criminal investigators.
• The incident underscores regional maritime and port security concerns in the Pacific, where the U.S. and Australia maintain close defense ties with PNG amid broader competition over influence and supply chain integrity. Grok

PNG police findings identifying a 32kg object found in a Port Moresby shipping container as an unexploded Chinese Type 59 130mm artillery round with explosives and fuse, - Bing

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[Yingyang]

Please correct the title. Port Morseby PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
NOT AUSTRALIA. PNG is a seperate independent country/nation.

 

[william]

Please correct the title. Port Morseby PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
NOT AUSTRALIA. PNG is a seperate independent country/nation.

Sorry, my bad. You are right. I thought Australia had heavy influence in the port there. Guess not.

 

[Dr Arthur]

Sorry, my bad. You are right. I thought Australia had heavy influence in the port there. Guess not.

PNG has a complex colonial history. Before WW1 it was partly German Territory. In the past it was also a colony of Queensland, effectively a colony of a colony. Then after Australian states unified as one country it became Australian territory. Then the Whitlam government gave them independence and it became it's own country with on going Australian support. They however can make their own diplomatic arrangements.

As a side comment, in a lot of locations around PNG and associated islands there are still lots of unexploded Japanese ordinance. In the 1970s I remember a sawmill that I think was in Lae had stacks of still live and undisposed Japanese ordinance. I think it has all now been detonated and disposed off bit I bet there are still other piles scattered around.