Utilities Commission commences port access and price regulation role

​On 13 October 2015, the Northern Territory Government announced that an agreement had been signed with the Landbridge Group for the lease of the Darwin Port land and facilities of East Arm Wharf (including the Darwin Marine Supply Base) and Fort Hill Wharf.

Landbridge Group is the ultimate shareholder of Darwin Port Operations Pty Ltd, the operator of the Port of Darwin.

The ports access and price regulation regime is established and defined by the Ports Management Act (the Act) and Ports Management Regulations (the Regulations). The Commission is the regulator for Part 11 (Port Access and Pricing) of the Act and regulates services prescribed in the regulations by a private port operator of a designated port.

On Monday 16 November 2015, Darwin Port Operations Pty Ltd commenced as the private port operator for the Port of Darwin. The Commission’s regulatory role relates to prescribed services provided by the private port operator and involves approving an access policy and reporting in relation to material non-compliance with an access policy. The Commission is also responsible for monitoring the prices of prescribed services.

More information on the Commission’s functions in relation to port regulation can be found under Ports.

Queries should be directed to the Utilities Commission at +61 8 8999 5480 or email utilities.commission@nt.gov.au.