Dedicated offshore supply base supporting Northern Australia’s oil and gas industry
Northern Australia’s growing offshore oil and gas sector required a dedicated supply base capable of supporting exploration, production, and development activity. A centralised, international-standard facility for efficiently managing vessel movements, cargo, fuel supply, and offshore logistics was needed
To support this, the Northern Territory Government commissioned the development of the Darwin Marine Supply Base. Designed as Australia’s first multi-user, dedicated offshore supply base, the facility provides operators with a single location to manage the full range of offshore supply chain activities.
Client
Northern Territory Government/Darwin Port
Scope
Supply base
Location
Darwin, Australia
Duration
Operational since 2014
At a glance
- Purpose-built, multi-user offshore supply base delivering a centralised hub for vessel operations, cargo handling, and fuel supply in Darwin, Northern Australia.
- Fully integrated marine logistics facility with dedicated berths, quayside services, and operational management ensuring safe, efficient, and on-time offshore support.
- Strengthening Darwin’s role as a key oil and gas support port, driving operational efficiency while supporting regional economic growth and skills development.
Approach
The Northern Territory Government contracted ASCO to design, build and operate the Darwin Marine Supply Base, drawing on proven experience managing offshore supply base operations across multiple locations.
We developed the base as a fully integrated marine logistics facility designed to support multiple operators simultaneously. The completed infrastructure includes three marine berths, integrated quayside connections for water, fuel, drilling liquids and chemicals, alongside warehouse space, laydown areas, hardstanding and administration facilities.
A dedicated operations team manages daily activities across the facility, maintaining consistent safety standards and operational control, ensuring efficient use of quay space and on-time vessel turnarounds.
Impact
The Darwin Marine Supply Base provides offshore operators with a dedicated, international-standard logistics hub designed specifically to support oil and gas exploration, production and development projects.
By bringing vessel operations, cargo handling, fuel supply and support services together in a single location, operators benefit from a streamlined, one-stop-shop supply base that simplifies offshore logistics and improves operational efficiency.
The purpose-built facility has also strengthened Darwin’s position as the primary support port for offshore oil and gas activity in Northern Australia, while creating wider economic opportunities for the local community and supporting the development of regional skills and capability.
Operational performance since opening in 2014 demonstrates the value of the integrated model:
- More than 12 years without a Lost Time Injury (LTI)
- 385+ vessels serviced annually
- 232,000 m³ of cargo handled each year
- 77,000 tonnes received annually across the quayside
- 95,542 kL of fuel supplied per year
Through a transparent operating model and consistent service standards, all users of the base benefit from reliable, safe and efficient offshore supply chain support.
Testimonial
“ASCO’s expertise has played a pivotal role in cementing Darwin Port’s position at the heart of the oil and gas industry in Northern Australia. Darwin Port greatly values our continued partnership with ASCO and their commitment to providing safe and efficient services to all Marine Supply Base users.”
— Peter Dummett, CEO, Darwin Port