Ship Lift, Northern Marine Complex

Clough BMD Joint Venture has been engaged by the Northern Territory Government to deliver the ship lift, which includes construction, testing, certification and handover.

The ship lift is part of the Northern Marine Complex and will allow vessels in the defence, energy, pearling, fishing and coastal cruising industries to be serviced in Darwin.

Scope of works

Delivery of a ship lift 26 metres wide, 103 metres long and six metres deep and with a 5,500 tonne vessel lifting capability

Construction of wet berths (wharves) for vessels to undergo in-water maintenance

Construction of additional hard stand area for ship repair and maintenance works (out of water)

Outcomes

The Northern Marine Complex, which will establish Darwin as a key maritime maintenance centre in northern Australia, will be key infrastructure to service various marine industries with vessel wash down, blasting, painting and general maintenance facilities on a common user basis.

Working with the Northern Territory Government and local industry partners, the project is ensuring the benefits of this critical infrastructure investment are felt well beyond the project site by strengthening local capability, employment and long-term industry participation.

Awarding more than $277 million in project works to Northern Territory businesses, supporting sustained economic activity across the region by May 2026
Achieving a workforce made up of 73% local employees in May 2026, including subcontractors
Creating ongoing business opportunities across surveying, geotechnical services, maintenance, traffic control, construction equipment and civil works through the award of local subcontracts.