The Port of Darwin.

THE tug-of-war over the ownership of the Port of Darwin is being watched with interest in the northern livestock sector which exports hundreds of thousands of cattle from the northern port to South East Asia each year.

In a controversial decision in 2015 which sparked a fierce national security debate, the-then NT Country Liberal Party Government leased the Port of Darwin to Chinese-owned firm Landbridge for 99 years.

During the 2025 election campaign, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former Opposition Leader Peter Dutton both promised to take back the port’s lease.

The story has taken another turn with news a US-based private equity giant, Cerberus Capital Management, also has designs on leasing the strategically-important northern Australian port.

Representatives of the New York-based Cerberus Capital Management have reportedly held meetings in Darwin in recent weeks, but there has been no confirmation of a formal US bid to this point, or any indication the Australian Government is considering such an offer.

Australia’s Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian made China’s feelings on the issue clear, stating that any move by Australia to take back the port after leasing it in 2015 would be “ethically questionable” and a breach of a binding commitment.

In a statement posted online the Chinese Ambassador said the Landbridge Group had secured the lease through an open and transparent bidding process, and in the past 10 years had made significant investments to build Darwin Port’s infrastructure, optimise its operations and expand its customer sources.

“These efforts have brought remarkable improvements to the port, turning its financial situation from losses to profits and contributing positively to local economic and social development.

“It is ethically questionable to lease the port when it was unprofitable and then seek to reclaim it once it becomes profitable”.

NTLEA: Port is fundamental to Territory’s economy future

The Northern Territory Livestock Exporters Association said that regardless of the future ownership structure of the Port, its continued growth and ongoing operational improvement is fundamental to the economic future of the Territory.

378,000 head were exported from the Darwin port in 2024, with 117,406 head already exported this year, with the majority – 108,650 – going to Indonesia to help provide protein rich meals to millions of people, NTLEA Chair Nick Thorne (right) said.

The ownership status of the Darwin Port was secondary to the importance that it plays to growing the Territory, he said.

“We are set to reach decade highs in cattle exports and the smooth operation of the Port is essential to reaching that goal.

“In addition, in order to continue to grow the cattle trade in the Territory, as well as the gas, minerals and other agricultural industries, the continued expansion and improvement of Port operations is essential.”

Whether the Darwin Port continued under its current ownership structure or a new structure, the focus on supporting and fostering the growth of the Territory industry should remain “at the heart of any decisions that are made”, Mr Thorne said.

“As we unfortunately experienced in 2011, any disruption to the cattle export trade—even for just a short period of time—has the potential to cause billions of dollars worth of damage to the Territory economy.

“Conversely, continued growth and expansion of the Darwin Port will necessarily help the NT Government continue to grow and expand the economy and support the expansion of export businesses.”

Port of Darwin must be owned by the Australian people: Katter

Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has also added his voice to calls for the Port of Darwin to be returned to public Australian ownership.

File picture: Bob Katter meeting with then Indonesian ambassador to Australia Nadjib Riphat Kesoema and north Queensland cattle producers Russell Lethbridge and Barry Hughes at Van Rook Station in the Qld Gulf during trade negotiations in the aftermath of the Gillard Government’s 2011 cattle export suspension to Indonesia.

“The Port of Darwin must be owned by the Australian people,” Mr Katter said in a media statement.

“Until recently, key assets like the Darwin Port were owned by the Australian Government – as they were for all of our history.

“Now, we’re watching foreign powers take control of our critical infrastructure while we stand idle. We’re not in 1942 – we cannot give away Northern Australia again like we did with the infamous Brisbane Line…

“They’ll build shiny tunnels down south but won’t lift a finger to protect the gateway to our nation. The US and China see value in this port, so why doesn’t the Australian Government?”