Clough-BMD Joint Venture awarded tender for new Darwin ship lift

The $515m tender to design and build a ship lift at East Arm has been awarded. SEE HOW IT WILL LOOK

THE $515m tender to design and build a ship lift at East Arm has been awarded to Clough-BMD Joint Venture.

In a press conference on Saturday, Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said construction of the ship lift would employ 250 people and it would generate and maintain hundreds of local jobs in the maritime support sector.

Capable of servicing large vessels of up to 5000 tonnes, the 103m ship lift will be used for multiple industries including offshore petroleum, fishing, pearling, Defence and Border Force.

“As a key piece of enabling infrastructure, the ship lift will establish Darwin as a key maritime maintenance hub and create the opportunity to grow a thriving marine service and supply sector in Darwin to create jobs and grow businesses and is key to establishing a marine services precinct at East Arm,” Ms Fyles said.

“This is a major national infrastructure project. Positioning the Territory’s marine industry on the national and international stage, and it further cements the Territory’s central role in the Indo-Pacific.

An artist's impression of Darwin's planned ship lift at East Arm. Picture: Supplied

The tender had previously been estimated at $400m but has now increased to $500m for the ship lift and $15m for ancillary works including sewerage in the area.

Territory Development Minister Eva Lawler said the final design was yet to be decided on.

“The preferred contractor, Clough-BMD Joint Venture, has demonstrated experience in delivering significant projects in the Territory and we will negotiate with them over the coming weeks to finalise the design and construct contract,” she said.

“The Territory Government thanks Territoria Civil for their participation in the previous Expression of Interest, Request For Proposals and Design Development stages of the project.”

Infrastructure Commissioner Louise McCormick said construction was due to begin in early stages shortly, with the full build to commence in February next year.

“Construction will commence later this year on some early work, so things like finding and disposing of unexploded ordinances from World War Two as well as looking at contamination and treating contaminated areas,” she said.

Ms McCormick said after a two-year search they were confident Clough BMD were the right choice for the project.

The lift is expected to be in operation in 2024.

Originally published as Clough-BMD Joint Venture awarded tender for new Darwin ship lift