Australia Says 'Not Necessary' to Cancel Chinese Firm's Lease on Darwin Port
Australia said a security review of a 99-year lease held by Chinese company Landbridge on the northern port of Darwin, a key focus of its defense strategy, found it was "not necessary to vary or cancel the lease".In a statement, the prime minister's department said: "Australians can have confidence that their safety will not be compromised, while ensuring that Australia remains a competitive destination for foreign investment".It added that monitoring of security arrangements would continue around the northern port…
Brahman Express Returns to Port After Engine Room Fire
The livestock carrier Brahman Express suffered an engine room fire and returned to the Port of Darwin, Australia, on Wednesday.The vessel had approximately 3,600 cattle onboard and was bound for Indonesia when the incident occurred.No injuries to crew and no animal welfare issues have been reported.In a statement to ABC Rural, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said it understood the fire was extinguished promptly.The livestock are expected to be discharged in Darwin.In May, the livestock carrier Nine Eagle experienced a major engine failure after leaving Darwin with 1,600 cattle onboard and was forced to return to port.
Cattle Offloaded from Disabled Livestock Carrier
The livestock carrier Nine Eagle suffered a major engine failure in the Port of Darwin, Australia, on May 15, while loaded with approximately 1,800 cattle.The Nine Eagle, built in 2006, is a converted general cargo ship currently flagged by Panama. The vessel was headed to Indonesia on charter for Perth-based company Livestock Shipping Services.The sourcing of parts to repair the engine is taking longer than anticipated, so the cattle were unloaded on May 21 and transported to a Pre-export Quarantine Facility where they will remain subject to biosecurity control until they can be exported.As well as animal welfare concerns, the ABC reports that the accumulation of manure onboard was a factor in the decision to unload the animals.
Australia: US to build Navy Port Facility
The United States is planning to build additional military infrastructure in Australia once Congress gives approval to the U.S. Navy for $211.5 million, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Tuesday.The plans for a bigger U.S. footprint in Australia come at a time when the Western allies have become increasingly concerned by China's efforts to expand its influence in the Pacific."The development of facilities will support the Force Posture Initiatives," Payne told Sky News…
Svitzer Orders Two Tugs from Sanmar Shipyards
Svitzer is ordering two more ASD tugs from Sanmar Shipyards to service the multi-billion dollar INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project in the Port of Darwin, Australia. The two newbuilds will be 80 Tonne bollard pull RAstar 2800 terminal tugs with escort ability and accommodation space for ten crew members. The tugs are equipped with render/recovery winch, aft winch, FIFI 1 and LNG package. take place in 2017. The two vessels will be employed together with two existing vessels to assist LNG, LPG and condensate carriers at the Port of Darwin starting late 2017. The newbuilds are also part of Svitzer’s promise to support the expected increase in operational activity within the Port of Darwin. As well as towage, the other services the tugs will be required to provide are: Safety standby i.e.
China Gets Port of Darwin
The Northern Territory (NT) Government in Australia announced the successful bidder for the Port of Darwin – Landbridge Group, based in the People’s Republic of China. Chinese privately owned energy and infrastructure conglomerate Landbridge Group has won a $A506 million bid to run Australia's Port of Darwin for 99 years, NT's Chief Minister Adam Giles announced. Under the terms of the agreement, the Northern Territory will lease the Darwin Port land and facilities of East Arm Wharf, including the Darwin Marine Supply Base, and Fort Hill Wharf to Landbridge Group for 99 years. The three arms of the defence force, the Australian Signals Directorate, the Defence Security Agency and Defence's strategic policy division were all consulted about the 99-year lease to the Landbridge Group.
AMSA Upgrading Cape Byron Lighthouse
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is currently undertaking renovation and upgrade works at the Cape Byron Lighthouse in New South Wales. The first stage of the project started in late April and involves removing the existing paint from the inside of the lighthouse and repainting the exterior walls of the lighthouse. walls will be completely painted white, reverting to the lighthouse’s earliest known colour scheme. The lighthouse has had various coloured lower bands over the years. The painting works are expected to be completed by early June 2015. AMSA will also be upgrading the light source of the lens to a modern LED (light emitting diode) after painting works are complete as part of a trial.
