OPERATIONS REVIEW
19
Darwin is serviced by three marine infrastructure elements.
a.  A public port adjacent to the main business centre, which is destined to be redeveloped
as a cruise ship and tourism precinct .
b.  A group of freehold water front properties on Frances Bay near to the main business
center.
c.  A recently commissioned public port and industrial estate at East Arm some 25 km from
the main business district.
Darwin already has an abundance of shore based logistics service providers who operate from
onshore industrial estates through publicly owned facilities. 
The Northern Territory Government has sponsored a study to determine the marine
infrastructure deficits of the Darwin area. Mermaid has contributed to the study and is
monitoring the subsequent planning processes.
Regardless of industry trends, Mermaid has a need for a Darwin Base to service and care for
Mermaid vessels working in the area. Too often vessels have been demobilised to Dampier at the
conclusion of a contract then being required to return to Darwin within days or weeks for
another assignment.
Mermaid has decided that needs and opportunities in the north of Australia can be best served by
entering a co-operative arrangement with an established Darwin Company. Agreement has therefore
been reached with Perkins Shipping Group, who are one of the freehold land owners on Frances Bay.
Perkins Shipping, established in the 1950s is the major coastal shipping service provider in
Australia’s north, linking Darwin to mining and aboriginal committees from the Kimberly to
Gulf of Carpenteria. Additionally Perkins operate services to East Timor, mining operations in
Indonesia, as well as Singapore and East Malaysia. The Perkins and Mermaid businesses are
different, but complementary, offering benefits to both. The arrangement with Perkins will give
Mermaid well placed office facilities, open storage and waterfront access. 
Our intention is that Darwin become the third and final mainland entreport to service the
Northwestern offshore oil and gas industry together with our other strategically placed facilities
at Dampier and Broome.