The Northern Territory Government, Australia, has shortlisted three teams for the lease of the Darwin Port for 99 years.

The three teams are:

• Asciano
• Flinders
• JPMorgan

Palisade Investment Partners and Morrison & Co Transport are out of the tender process.

Final bids for the long-term lease are scheduled to be send by the end of September. The government aims to achieve commercial closure before the end of the year.

The Port of Darwin is critical infrastructure for the Northern Territory. It is a major conduit for goods and fuel and the primary means by which the agricultural and mining products get to market. The port is a multi-user, mixed cargo and marine services port facilitating livestock exports, dry bulk imports and exports, offshore oil and gas support vessels, petroleum imports, container trade, cruise ship and naval vessel visits.