# Darwin (AU DRW)

**UN/LOCODE:** AU DRW  
**Country:** Australia  
**Water Body:** Timor Sea; Indian Ocean  
**Harbor Size:** Medium  
**Harbor Type:** Coastal (Natural)  
**GPS:** -12.4714, 130.8478

East Arm Wharf has become the centre of a political tug-of-war since a 2025 Australian government decision to bring the port, leased to China's Landbridge Group since 2015, back under Australian or trusted-partner control; China's ambassador publicly warned against this in early 2026, saying Beijing would "take measures" to protect the company's interests. US investor Cerberus has expressed interest in a potential takeover of the 99-year lease, though no final outcome was confirmed as of mid-2026. Operationally, Darwin remains mainly an energy and bulk port, shipping LNG for the offshore oil and gas sector along with zinc and lead concentrate, plus live cattle and fodder. Container traffic stays modest at roughly 9,000 TEU a year against a terminal capacity near 200,000 TEU. Hinterland links run by road and by the railway south to Adelaide. For substantial container imports into Australia, Brisbane or Fremantle remain far better suited, while Darwin's strengths stay in livestock, project and energy cargo.

## Transit Times & Routes

- [Sydney → Shanghai](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/sydney-shanghai)
- [Sydney → Shenzhen](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/sydney-shenzhen)
- [Sydney → Guangzhou](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/sydney-guangzhou)
- [Sydney → Hong Kong](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/sydney-hong-kong)
- [Sydney → Tokyo](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/sydney-tokyo)
- [Sydney → Busan](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/transit-time/sydney-busan)

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*Freight Academy — Seaport Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/darwin-port-au-drw](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/darwin-port-au-drw)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/seaports/en/darwin-port-au-drw](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/seaports/en/darwin-port-au-drw)*

*LLM-Summary (JSON): https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/seaports/darwin-port-au-drw/llm-summary?lang=en*