Construction of the $110 million offshore gas Marine Supply Base has begun in the Northern Territory.

 

“This Marine Supply Base will be Northern Australia’s first dedicated marine supply base, and will give Territory businesses the opportunity to service and supply offshore gas projects in the region,”  Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson said.

 

“To put this massive project in perspective Darwin provides approximately $150 million in services and supplies per year to support the gas industry - with the help of this new Base, this figure is expected to increase to $420 million over the next 20 years.”

 

The base is being built by local company Macmahon and is expected to employ 1254 during construction and create 25 ongoing jobs directly and 170 indirectly.

 

Mr Henderson said the Marine Supply Base is expected to attract more offshore service companies to Darwin and is part of the Territory 2030 target to establish Darwin as a key centre for gas operations and maintenance. 

 

Works are expected to be completed by 2013, with services commencing immediately.