Darwin ferry dredging complete

MAINTENANCE dredging at Darwin’s Cullen Bay ferry terminal has been completed ahead of schedule.

Ferry timetables had been disrupted at low tide, but the completion of works two weeks early has restored full ferry access.

The NT government fast tracked the project by 12 months following accelerated silt build-up in the entrance channel and basin, which had disrupted ferry services during low tides, particularly for deeper draft vessels.

The dredging works began on 30 May 2025 and have now been completed. All ferry services were reinstated two weeks earlier than originally planned.

Infrastructure minister, Bill Yan, said that thanks to coordination between the dredging contractor, SeaLink and Cullen Bay Marina, the project was completed three weeks ahead of schedule with minimal disruption.

The NT Government worked closely with SMC Marine and Maritime Constructions to maintain access throughout the dredging, with only minimal early impacts to non-peak services.

The project met all environmental requirements, with rigorous water quality monitoring and no incidents recorded.

“There is now all-tide access to the Cullen Bay ferry facility for existing SeaLink vessels,” Minister Yan said.

Pete Philipp, director of SMC Marine, said safely completing the works ahead of schedule in such a busy marina environment was a testament to the professionalism of the Maritime Constructions dredge crew and key operational users, SeaLink, the Cullen Bay lockmaster, marina users, Fisheries NT, and the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure.

“SMC Marine is an Australian family-owned company that enjoys solving complex marine infrastructure challenges collaboratively with clients across the country,” Mr Philipp said.