Clough-BMD JV appointed to design & build NT Darwin Ship Lift project

The Northern Territory Government is ready to begin the construction of a new ship lift in Darwin following the announcement of a preferred contractor to undertake the delivery of this significant infrastructure project. 

The Clough-BMD Joint Venture has been appointed to deliver design and construction services for the project that will create hundreds of jobs as well as position Darwin as a major domestic and international player in the marine services industry. 

The joint venture was chosen following a three-stage procurement process that spanned two years. 

“Infrastructure investment is key to growing our economy and population, infrastructure investment is crucial to winning private sector investment, while balancing the social needs of our growing Territory population. 

“The preferred contractor, Clough-BMD Joint Venture, has demonstrated experience in delivering significant projects in the Territory and we will negotiate with them over the coming weeks to finalise the design and construct contract. The Territory Government thanks Territoria Civil for their participation in the previous Expression of Interest, Request For Proposals and Design Development stages of the project. 

“The facility will be fit for purpose to service vessels from Defence, Border Force, offshore petroleum, pearling, fishing and tourism sectors, as well as other maritime industries,” Minister for Territory Development Eva Lawler said. 

Artist impression of the ship lift (source: Northern Territory Government)

The Territory Labor Government has allocated $515 million towards the Darwin Ship Lift project. This budget includes the construction cost along with other ancillary works to be delivered through this project by the Northern Territory Government. 

The new ship lift at East Arm is anticipated to inject millions into the local economy annually and the project is estimated to employ up to 250 people at peak construction period, with hundreds more jobs to be generated and maintained in the maritime support sector. 

In addition, the ship lift will also play a key part in the future growth of the marine industry park. 

The Darwin Ship Lift project will deliver: 

• A Ship Lift 26 metres wide, 103 metres long and 6 metres deep, with a lifting capacity of 5,000 tonnes 
• Wet berths, which are like wharves that allow vessels to undertake in-water maintenance 
• Hard stand areas for ship repair and maintenance works 
• A blast and paint building which allows vessels to be sand blasted and repainted in a controlled environment 
• Self-propelled Modular Transporter units that transport the ships around the facility once they are out of the water 
• An administration building 
• East Arm utilities upgrades to support the ship lift and broader marine industry park development 

Artist impression of the ship lift (source: Northern Territory Government)

The new ship lift is due to be operational and lifting vessels by the end of 2024. 

“There will be a ship lift built in the Northern Territory. Today’s announcement is symbolic and historic and will deliver hundreds of jobs for Territorians. 

“This is a major national infrastructure project. Positioning the Territory’s marine industry on the national and international stage, and it further cements the Territory’s central role in the Indo-Pacific. 

“As a key piece of enabling infrastructure, the ship lift will establish Darwin as a key maritime maintenance hub and create opportunity to grow a thriving marine service and supply sector in Darwin to create jobs and grow businesses and is key to establishing a marine services precinct at East Arm,” Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said. 

The facility at East Arm will feature two separate areas, a privately operated and a common user facility, that will allow vessel owners to choose and manage their own service and maintenance providers on site. 

Funding for the Darwin Ship Lift project includes a $300 million concessional load from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF). 

The Northern Territory Government is also providing $15 million to upgrade utilities into East Arm to service the new ship lift and the future development of the marine industry park. 

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; Northern Territory Government – Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet; The National Tribune ; Roads & Infrastructure Australia