Webuild Australian subsidiary Clough and joint-venture partner BMD have won an AUD420 million (US$270 million) construction contract for the Darwin Shiplift Facility in Northern Territory, Australia.

The facility, equipped with wet berths and a dedicated hard stand area for ship repair and maintenance tasks, will not only support the Department of Defence but also cater to the needs of commercial and private vessels from various sectors, including fishing, oil, gas, and marine industries. The joint venture for this endeavor is shared equally between Clough and BMD. Its dimensions will span 26 m in width and 103 m in length, and it will have the capacity to lift vessels weighing up to 5,500 tonnes, including the new fleet of offshore patrol vessels recently acquired by the Australian Defence Force. Situated within the East Arm precinct, it strategically bridges the Marine Supply Base at the Port of Darwin and the multi-user barge ramp facility at the Marine Industry Park.

It's worth noting that Darwin boasts the only functional deepwater harbor in northern Australia, making this ship lift facility a crucial asset. Without it, large vessels would have to endure journeys of approximately 10 days or more to reach alternative servicing locations. The completion of this project is scheduled for July 2025.