Media Release By Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility (NAIF)
Exports of mangoes and pumpkins to international markets are set to increase five -fold in the Northern Territory as the cold storage and freight hub builds momentum in Darwin.
The export hub has also helped ‘keep the lights on’ for Airport Development Group during the COVID -19 pandemic, forged new air transport routes for Darwin and expanded export opportunities for the local seafood and agricultural industry.
The state-of-the-art Darwin Export Hub was used to transport 200 tonnes of mangoes and 200 tonnes of pumpkins in its first year of operation in 2021 and plans are in place to increase this capacity five fold in the 2022 season.
The 6250 square metre export hub is located at Darwin International Airport and was built by Airport Development Group as part of a $300 million expansion supported by a $150 million loan from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).
The export accredited airside facility includes a vapour heat treatment plant, x-ray and security scanning capabilities, and cold storage to suit different temperature controlled settings needed to suit specific products for export and import.
National export specialist Pak Fresh Handling Pty Ltd manages the export hub, which officially opened in September 2021 with co tenants Wyuna Coldstores and GR Wills.
Pak Fresh Handling General Manager Robert Hall said he was delighted by their first year of operation of the export hub, which included 200 tonnes of mangoes exported to Dubai, Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Other items exported included 200 tonnes of pumpkins as well as trial shipments of about five tonnes of seafood, including pearl meat, snapper, jewfish bladders and barramundi.
Along with 1000 tonnes each of mangoes and pumpkins, targets for the export hub’s 2022 season include exporting 500 tonnes of melons and 50 tonnes of seafood.
The export hub also came into its own in 2021 after Pak Fresh Handling was the only freight company able to import and distribute one million rapid antigen tests for COVID-19, using its temperature controlled storage facility so they could be distributed at the required temperature.
“It is a world class facility that enables us to do a large volume of perishable goods,” Robert says. “It is going to open up different markets, utilising infrastructure that hasn’t been available in Darwin before and we are also bringing the capability to the Territory from a perishable handling freight forwarding and accreditation point of view.”
Ross says the export hub helps Airport Development Group grow the Territory as well as create returns for their shareholders, of which one in three are Territorians.
“Growing the Territory and providing returns for our business is not just about passengers on pla nes, it’s about growing our population and supporting local industry, which means investing in projects like this,” he says.
“The NAIF concessional low interest loan over 15 to 20 years has given us the chance to plan for future growth. We appreciate the support of NAIF.”
PHOTO: The 6250 square metre export hub is located at Darwin International Airport and was built by Airport Development Group as part of a $300 million expansion supported by a $150 million loan from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).
Image Supplied: naif.gov.au
