Ship Lift, Northern Marine Complex
Webuild, through its Australian subsidiary Clough and in partnership with BMD, is delivering the Ship Lift for the Northern Territory Government as part of the Northern Marine Complex at East Arm.
Located within Darwin’s growing maritime precinct, the facility is positioned between the Marine Supply Base at the Port of Darwin and the Multi-User Barge Ramp Facility at the Marine Industry Park. Once complete, it will provide important new capability for vessel maintenance and servicing across the Territory’s maritime sector.
The ship lift will support a diverse range of users, including the Australian Defence Force, Australian Border Force, commercial operators and private vessel owners across the fishing, oil and gas and broader marine industries. It will also have the capacity to accommodate vessels such as the Australian Defence Force’s new fleet of offshore patrol vessels.
The project is designed to provide both dedicated and common-user facilities, creating flexibility for vessel owners and operators and enabling multiple service and maintenance providers to work concurrently.
Project scope
The Joint Venture is responsible for the construction, testing, commissioning, certification and handover of the facility.
Key elements include:
- a 103-metre-long, 26-metre-wide and 6-metre-deep ship lift
- lifting capacity of up to 5,500 tonnes
- wet berths for vessel access and servicing
- additional hardstand areas for ship repair and maintenance activities
- separate privately operated and common-user areas.
Beyond the infrastructure itself, the project is supporting local participation and capability across the Northern Territory, creating opportunities for local businesses, workers and communities.
The Ship Lift will strengthen the Territory’s maritime infrastructure and contribute to Darwin’s role as a strategic centre for marine services in Northern Australia.