15,000 cattle shipped out of Darwin in less than 24 hours

Thousands of Northern Territory cattle worth millions have been loaded with military-like precision at the Port of Darwin in just under a day.

A STAGGERING 15,000 Northern Territory cattle worth more than $20m have been loaded with military-like precision at the Port of Darwin in just under a day involving 100 road train movements.

The shipments are an encouraging signal that Covid-19 is not holding back the industry.

Exporter Austrex loaded 11,500 Top End cattle on to the MV Ocean Drover which arrived at the Port of Darwin from Townsville early afternoon Monday, June 28, already carrying 7500 Queensland cattle.

The Ocean Drover then sailed the following afternoon with a total of 18,500 head to Indonesia. The Ocean Drover is regarded as the largest custom built cattle ship in the global livestock export fleet.

Also in port at the same time was the Ganado Express on which Exporter Halleen Livestock loaded a further 3800 NT cattle. These cattle went to Jakarta. Significant co-ordination was initiated by the NT Live Exporters Association to ensure the movement of the 100 road trains went without a hitch.

NTLEA chief executive Tom Dawkins said the operation was carried out with the support of the NT Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade.

“This ensured checkpoint officers were aware of the significant volume and to avoid any uncertainty or unnecessary delays,” Mr Dawkins said. “As per previous lockdown plans, truck drivers demonstrated they would complete these deliveries in a Covid-safe manner.”

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He said drivers remained in their cabs at the cattle yards and port not coming into contact with others who were involved in loading or unloading cattle.

“Drivers from Road Trains of Australia (RTA), Schubert Transport and Barkly Transport, as well as Linx stevedores at the wharf, completed this mammoth task in a very professional and orderly manner, upholding the welfare of the cattle in transit at all times,” he said.

“The Ocean Drover and Ganado Express shipments pushed Darwin’s live export cattle numbers past 30,000 head for June, with more than 25,000 of that trade going to Indonesia.”

Mr Dawkins said more Darwin shipments were scheduled this week.