Chinese firm steps up fight to retain control of Darwin Port, launches international legal battle
A Chinese firm, Landbridge Group, has initiated an international legal case against Australia to retain control of the Port of Darwin, arguing that efforts to terminate its 99-year lease violate Australia's free trade agreement with China. Both major Australian political parties had pledged to return the port to Australian ownership on national security grounds. The case has been filed with the World Bank's arbitration body, escalating a long-standing dispute over foreign ownership of strategic infrastructure.
- ▪Landbridge Group has filed a case with the International Centre for Settlement of Investor Disputes to block Australia's attempt to terminate its 99-year lease of the Port of Darwin.
- ▪The Port of Darwin was leased to Landbridge in 2015 for $506 million and is located opposite the Larrakeyah Defence Precinct, raising national security concerns.
- ▪Australia's Transport Minister Catherine King stated the government is disappointed by the legal action but remains committed to returning the port to Australian ownership.
- ▪Landbridge argues that Australia's efforts to revoke the lease breach the terms of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
- ▪The federal government has been engaged in private negotiations with Landbridge to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.
- ▪The case was formally lodged on April 23, 2026, marking a significant escalation in the dispute over foreign control of critical infrastructure.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.