Trade Development
Over the coming decade, Darwin will continue to grow as Australia’s Asian Gateway.
The city has a natural strategic advantage as a transport hub, positioned on the rim of Asia with access to modern trade infrastructure including the deepwater port at East Arm, excellent communication facilities, AustralAsia Railway and national highway network.
These advantages will give Darwin the opportunity to become a logistics and distribution hub of significance for the region.
What we would like to achieve
- Expansion of trade to make Darwin a major port in the South East Asian region.
- Darwin Business Park as a regional hub for freight consolidation, processing and distribution.
- A new Classified Goods Facility at Hidden Valley.
- Expansion of bulk mineral exports trade via Darwin.
Shipping and Trade
Development of the AustralAsia Trade Route remains a high priority for the NT Government.
The Government’s investments in the AustralAsia Railway, East Arm Port and the Darwin Business Park have positioned Darwin strategically for the future.
Strengthening our international shipping links, developing mineral exports from central Australia and beyond, making Darwin the regional supply base for our mining and oil and gas industries are immediate priorities.
Proposals include
- New shipping links established with China and Indonesia, particularly with Surabaya.
- Expansion of new bulk mineral exports in addition to the Bootu Creek manganese development, currently operating at 650,000 tonnes per year. This could include the Oxiana copper deposit in South Australia and iron ore from Francis Creek.
- Expanded Darwin Business Park including additional freight distribution centres, and a possible $450 million condensate production facility.
- A new Classified Goods Facility established at Hidden Valley to provide for distribution of imported chemicals for mining ventures across northern Australia and the Asian region.
Marketing Darwin as Australia’s Asian Gateway
Promotion of the AustralAsia trade route will continue to be important well into the future.
The first Global Freight Connect conference in 2005 attracted a broad international audience and raised the profile of Darwin as Australia’s Asian Gateway.
Proposals include
- Trade route promotion continues with emphasis on Darwin’s position as Australia’s Asian Gateway.
- Host the Global Freight Connect 2007 international conference with a focus on mining and chemical industries.
