Opinion: Growing business opportunities a priority for Darwin Port’s leadership

Darwin Port’s management has returned from Shenzhen after a whirlwind visit to grow the facility’s regional reputation. Hear from CEO Peter Dummett.

Following on from an initial visit to China some 12 months ago which included tours of ports in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Rizhao, the Shenzhen Port leadership extended an invitation to me in my capacity as Darwin Port chief executive to attend the China - Shenzhen - International Logistics and Supply Chain Fair which ran from 23-25 September.

The event is one of the largest gatherings of its kind in China and featured over 2000 exhibitors ranging from shipping companies through to freight forwarders and general logistics companies from all aspects of the supply chain. In addition to the exhibition which covered over 100,000 square metres, the fair hosted in excess of 70 targeted events.

It was at one of these events, the Shenzhen World Port Supply Chain Strategy Forum, that I was given the opportunity to present to delegates from all around the world on our port’s capabilities.

The line up of speakers included presentations from a number of US, European and Middle Eastern ports.

Peter Dummett addressing the Logistics and Supply Chain Fair in Shenzhen.

Shenzhen Port is one of the largest ports in southern China and handles approximately 17 million 20ft equivalent containers per year.

It is also a growing automotive export port for China whose car manufacturers sent 4.9 million motor vehicles around the world in 2023.

Darwin Port has been working collaboratively with rail operator Aurizon for some time on their land-bridging concept.

In order to assist further with that work, the port extended an invitation to the Aurizon team to join the delegation.

Gareth Long, Aurizon Group Executive Containerised Freight and Craig McGrath, Head of Customer & Strategy – Containerised Freight, accompanied the port team and were introduced to many industry representatives during the fair.

The land-bridging strategy would see cargo imported by sea into Darwin for transfer onto Aurizon’s national rail network to southern markets.

The advantages of this import approach include a shorter transit time for cargo than directly by sea and a reduction in carbon emissions from the longer sea journey.

Darwin Port has rail links directly into the port and also has significant existing capacity to be able to handle increased cargo volumes through the port once they start to flow.

In order to strengthen the partnership between the ports, Shenzhen Port extended and invitation to Darwin Port to sign a Friendly Co-Operation Agreement.

This Agreement was delivered through a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The objective of the MOU is to reflect both Darwin and Shenzhen Port’s commitment to strengthening trade links and exploring potential business opportunities between two key maritime gateways in the Asia-Pacific region.

This Agreement establishes a closer relationship between both ports and allows us to further understand potential business opportunities for trade and development.

One potential business opportunity has already arisen with Darwin Port facilitating introductions to various potential customers in relation to Aurizon’s Land-Bridging Strategy.

The MOU signifies an important step in enhancing Darwin Port’s growing role with our major trading partners.