‘We hope it is not too late for these expedition ship companies to reconsider Darwin as their key port’: Cruise ship passenger limit rises to 150 per ship

The NT Government has increased the number of people small expedition cruise ships can carry in Darwin waters to 150, giving rise to the hope that plans to operate out of Broome will be abandoned in preference for Darwin.

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THE NT Government has changed its position and increased the number of people small expedition cruise ships can carry in Darwin waters to 150, giving rise to the hope that plans to operate out of Broome will be abandoned in preference of a return to the Port of Darwin.

A previous government decision to only allow the expedition cruise ships to operate out of Darwin if they have no more than 100 people on board, including crew, had been slammed by the Top End tourism industry and boat companies.

This meant Darwin was faced with losing up to 5000 tourists because expedition ships carry up to 150 on board.

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Chief health officer Hugh Heggie announced the new cruise ship capacity of 150 today.

Tourism Top End general manager Glen Hingley said under the previous 100 maximum rule the industry in Darwin was set to lose significant business to more welcoming ports in Western Australia.

“It has been made clear that 100 was not a viable number of people for these expedition ships to come to Darwin … they simply cannot afford to come,” he said.

“Tourism Top End is grateful that the NT Health’s chief health officer has reconsidered the number of persons limit for Australian operated small expedition ships with only Australian passengers entering NT waters.

“We hope it is not too late for these expedition ship companies to reconsider Darwin as their key port for their Northern Australia expeditions.

“The Top End, for many decades, has relied upon multiple Australian operated small expedition shipping companies, and it has supported small businesses and employment well beyond just tourism and hospitality. We are in close contact with our TTE member expedition ship companies, and they are relieved at this change from NT Health.”

Mr Hingley said the directive’s remaining challenge is that it still only permits just two small expedition ships able to enter Territory waters at any time.

“This potentially makes it difficult for more than one Australian expedition ship company with Australian only passengers to operate,” he said.

“We are now seeking to understand Northern Territory Waters’ definition with our member expedition shipping companies, as we believe it to be three nautical miles of the Territory coastline.

“We know that these Australian expedition ship companies have invested significantly in redesigning their entire operations to exceed Australian health regulations, especially to operate expeditionary vessels from Darwin. This has included developing comprehensive “COVID-Safe operational plans and protocols that were subsequently reviewed with the crew through two days of on-board training.

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“These companies have engaged world leaders such as Respond Global to conduct crews training in aspects of infection prevention and control, Personal Protective Equipment, and outbreak response management.

“We are grateful that the NT Government and NT Health took the time to review this vital sector of our visitor economy to allow Australians to spend time in the Top End. It is a significant input to our broader Territory economy and employs many Territorians.”