NT ship lift facility granted major project status

The proposed development of a ship lift facility has been awarded major project status by the Northern Territory government.

Chief Minister, Adam Giles, said the government is prepared to invest up to $100 million towards the project.

“The creation of a new major industry dedicated to marine services has the potential to drive the development of more than 150 hectares of prime industrial land at East Arm to support the defence, oil and gas, coastal barging and logistics sectors,” Giles said.

“The Northern Territory government has offered to invest up to $100 million into a common user ship lift as a drawcard piece of infrastructure if the Federal government commit to servicing its naval and border protection fleet in Darwin.”

The ship lift is expected to allow the raising of large sea vessels from water and on to dry land for repairs and maintenance works.

It is estimated the project will support up to 4500 full time jobs and inject around $3.5 billion into the Territory economy.

“The facility will be designed to accommodate boats more than 90 metres in length, including the new fleet of patrol vessels currently being procured by the Defence Force,” he said.

“A ship lift facility in Darwin would allow Defence ships to be serviced here instead of being transported to Perth or Cairns for repairs and maintenance works.”

The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and establish Darwin as a prime location for marine maintenance.

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