Multi-user marine facility
The proposed multi-user marine facility (MUMF) enables and enhances logistics, maintenance, repair and other opportunities for businesses servicing multiple industries including defence, marine, oil, gas and resources together in one location.
As the third precinct within the Marine Industry Park, the MUMF is strategically located on waterfront land at East Arm in Darwin, Northern Territory to enable operations of the Australian Defence Force, allied and commercial vessels, while enhancing the region’s maritime and defence infrastructure.
Via a high, wide road corridor, its location offers convenient access to road, rail and sea transport, along with other supporting infrastructure. The MUMF is also located adjacent to the Darwin Business Park and East Arm Wharf, which is home to several businesses including Toll, Linfox, and Metcash as well as supply bases for INPEX Ichthys and other oil and gas production facilities.
A key feature within the Marine Industry Park is the Darwin Ship Lift. This facility has been identified in the naval shipbuilding and sustainment plan as a critical enabler for naval and maritime operations in northern Australia. Once operational, the ship lift will accommodate vessels up to 5,500 tonnes across various sectors including defence, energy, pearling, fishing, and coastal cruising and is expected to be operational in 2026-2027.
The Northern Territory’s proximity to Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific makes it a strategically vital location for Army littoral manoeuvre training, enabling rapid deployment and realistic joint-force exercises in littoral environments. The MUMF is located near existing defence infrastructure and could also support pre-positioning of equipment and sustainment operations, enhancing readiness and operational flexibility for Australian and allied forces.
North Australia’s reliance on barge services highlights the importance of MUMF, which could provide essential support to this mode of transport. The facility would enable roll-on, roll-off operations for quicker loading and unloading of vessels, enhancing logistical efficiency. Additionally, the site could enable expanded maintenance capability at East Arm, increasing service capacity for a range of maritime vessels.
Led by the Northern Territory Government’s Land Development Corporation, this area is designated as ‘precinct 3’ in the broader Marine Industry Park masterplan.
- Investment type: greenfield
- Status: open for investment, proposed project, conceptual
- Region: Top End, Northern Territory, Australia
- Project Value: A$500 million to $1 billion first stage
Download the multi-user marine facility investment opportunity flyer PDF (176.9 KB).