Darwin ship lift one step closer as construction tenders released

DARWIN’S planned ship lift and marine industries facility is one step closer with the imminent release of tenders for the $400m project

An artist's impression of Darwin's planned $400m ship lift at East Arm. Picture: Supplied

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DARWIN’S planned ship lift and marine industries facility is one step closer with the imminent release of tenders for the $400m project.

The tenders will be released this month in what is the first stage in the procurement process that the NT Government says will focus on sourcing materials and labour locally.

Expressions of interest will be called for this week before a shortlist of applicants is created and proposals and detail designs sought from potential builders.

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Once operational, the ship lift is expected to generate about $260m for the Territory economy and sustain hundreds of local jobs, while modelling by ACIL Allen indicates the net benefit of the project could be as much as $1.4bn.

The facility is expected to be the largest of its kind in Northern Australia and capable of servicing vessels from industries including offshore petroleum, commercial fishing, pearling and Defence.

An agreement between the NT Government and Paspaley Group will result in the ship lift being constructed on government-owned land and operated by Paspaley under a long-term arrangement.

An artist's impression of Darwin's planned $400m ship lift at East Arm. Picture: Supplied

Paspaley also intends to relocate its current out-of-water marine servicing operations to the East Arm site, once operational.

This facility will be a government-owned asset but accessible to anyone on a user-pays system, subject to access and pricing legislation and regulated by the Utilities Commission.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the project would create more than 500 jobs during construction and 400 long-term jobs “in the marine industries that will grow because of it”.

Mr Gunner said the ship lift would position Darwin as a competitive international and national participant in the maritime maintenance and service industry, saving up to 10 days sailing time to a comparable facility for maintenance.

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“Throughout the coronavirus crisis, the Territory Government’s top priorities have been saving lives and saving jobs but we are also working on creating new jobs for Territorians,” he said.

Construction of the ship lift is due to begin next year after a $300m loan from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility was approved in December last year.