This forward thinking is necessary to ensure that the port has the capacity to meet the needs of the Territory. 

It has led to the development of a Port Development Plan 2025-2030 and a new Port Master Plan, which collectively outline a long-term vision, as well as the specific projects that are planned to get the organisation there. 

Pre-planning and assessment work has already started on several projects, which will increase capacity to handle and store bulk mineral exports. 

The port continues to focus on growing capacity in pilotage, port logistics, maritime security and cruise facility operations. In almost all cases this involves increasing staff capacity or filling newly created positions supported by local talent sourced from the NT. 

Darwin Port chief executive Peter Dummett says: “We’re excited about the prospects for more growth, deepening our commitment to the community in which we operate, and continuing to protect the environment. 

“We’re continuing to nurture our excellent, dedicated team.” 

Anchored in community 

Darwin Port and parent company Landbridge are proud of the development and elevation of local community and industry partnerships, which have continued to grow over the past 10 years. 

The long-term commitment and collaboration with the Clontarf and Stars foundations continues and jumping onboard with the Young Livestock Exporters Network this year helps generate valuable and meaningful pathways for young Territorians. 

DARWIN PORT CEO PETER DUMMETT CHATTING WITH WHS & PERMIT COORDINATOR KEVIN CLARKE

The port is excited to announce the launch of a three-year Prize Partnership with the NT Young Achievers Awards and the establishment of a new partnership recognising Exceptional Women in Resources. Casting a line of support out to the Darwin harbour community, Darwin Port continues to partner with the Darwin Sailing Club and Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Club. 

As a “distinguished” partner of Darwin Festival, the port celebrated another successful year of hosting the Darwin Port Bandstand, a much-loved stage for showcasing live and free local entertainment. 

It continues to grow in the partnership space with active involvement in a diverse range of industry and community clubs, associations, and campaigns. 

Trade, property and development 

Darwin Port continues to focus on growing shipping and commodity throughput in support of a rebounding NT economy. The 2025 financial year saw a 23 percent increase in the total trade through the port, driven by increases in the import of bulk liquids and dry bulk products, such as clinker and cement. 

There was also growth in container and building material throughput. 

Export volumes continue to improve and significant increases in livestock exports to more than 440,000 head – an increase of over 160,000 head on the previous year and the highest since the record year of 2014-15 – were a key contributor to the increased volumes. 

The port continues to export bulk minerals from mine sites across the Territory including iron ore, magnetite and ilmenite. 

The cruise industry continues to grow each year with 117 cruise ships visiting Darwin last year, which is the most in recorded history and resulted in more than 100,000 crew and passengers visiting the Top End. 

Several projects were completed during the year, providing additional capacity to cater for the continued growth in trade volumes. About 10,000m² of new hardstand areas have been created in the past 18 months, with work due to commence shortly on a further 20,000m². A new container handling area leased to Qube Ports has resulted in an increase of the port’s container capacity by about 25 percent. 

Environment and sustainability 

The port’s environmental team has been busy with the monitoring of air, water and sediments. 

This is an essential part of the custodianship of the harbour and ensures that Darwin Port continues to protect and improve the environment. With this in mind, the port launched the inaugural Sustainability Strategy in September 2024, and looks forward to reporting on implementation progress in the coming years. 

The newly reassigned port logistics officers have achieved their accreditations to support the movement of containerised cargo destined for rural destinations by providing Class 14.4 rural tailgate inspections. This service was launched in February 2025 and month-on-month bookings have seen it grow to levels that five permanent staff are now required to support the levels of booked inspections. 

The security operations team is focused on providing increased levels of compliance with the movement of containerised cargo through the port. Cargo surveillance systems are being modernised to include container and number plate recognition technology, widening the exit lane as part of regulatory compliance expectations and renovating the front gate as part of this initiative. 

From the visit of the Italian sail training ship Vespucci to the facilitation of multiple Defence visits, Darwin Port is one of the nation’s most versatile multi-modal ports. Port teams have collaborated with stakeholders, regulators and Territory and Federal governments to achieve many successful milestones. 

Pilotage 

The number of piloted moves is a fundamental performance indicator of how well the NT economy is performing, and the trend remains positive. 

Darwin Port played a key role in supporting the construction of Santos’ offshore Barossa project and the 700 pilotage movements relating to that activity contributed to what was a record year for Darwin Port pilots with more than 3300 moves. Trading vessel visits to the port were over 2,200 for the year which is the most since the Inpex construction project was in full swing in 2014. 

Operations teams partnered with IXOM™ to plan a world-first operation in lightering methanol in bulk and then shuttling it to the floating production and storage vessel BW Opal as part of the Barossa commissioning. The port provides a safe environment for highly complex activities, such as ship-to-ship transfers. All risks were identified and managed through a qualitative risk assessment process between stakeholders and regulators. 

Defence – Talisman Sabre 2025 

Darwin Port welcomed 19 allied and partnered nations during the Talisman Sabre exercise. It was the largest full-scale exercise of its kind in the southern hemisphere, and a great deal of the logistics were supported by Darwin Port employees and stakeholders. Months of planning by port operations teams preceded the activity to configure solutions for Defence and minimise disruption to commercial shipping. Above all else, the exercise was performed safely. TQ