WASHINGTON: The Darwin Port has just launched its new $2.3 million pilot boat in a traditional ceremony today. The 15-metre Delirra was officially named with the pouring of sparkling wine over its hull by Marie Hardy and the Administrator of the Northern Territory John Hardy.
Delirra is a local Indigenous word which means “guiding light”. With thousands of vessels requiring a marine pilot to navigate Darwin Harbour each year, the new vessel will be used to assist large transporters carrying various commodities and tourists. While there has been a downturn in the bulk ore exports, the INPEX gas plant is expected to bring much more activity with over 190 vessels visiting each year.
Darwin Port chief executive officer Terry O’Connor said the new pilot boat featured the latest technology essential to the safe operation of the harbour. “Last year we had around 3,000 movements in and out, pilotage movements,” he said.
“The existing pilot boat that we’ve got, which we’ve had for about four years now, has conducted over 7,500 pilot moves in that time.” Mr O’Connor said the Landbridge Group remained “bullish” about the future of the Darwin shipping. “Landbridge has invested another $10 million into refrigerated container ports over at East Arm,” he said. “The refrigerated container connections are around mangoes and frozen box meat outbound.
“Certainly today we’re at low numbers and tomorrow we’re probably going to be a low numbers, but in 12 months we suspect there will be a rebound in some of those products. “In two years time, I think again we’ll be talking about whether the port is full and are we at congestion levels.”
