SeaLink secures five-year Groote Eylandt ferry service contract

SeaLink Northern Territory is pleased to announce the signing of a five-year extension of the contract with the Groote Eylandt Aboriginal Trust (GEAT) to continue its essential ferry service connecting Groote Eylandt with the mainland.

Since 2016 SeaLink has provided ferry and bus transport services for the Groote Eylandt community.

As part of the new contract commencing in the second quarter of 2025, a fully refurbished ferry is currently en route to Groote Eylandt after undergoing major upgrades in Brisbane. The vessel has been refitted to suit the unique operating environment, will feature upgraded passenger seating for 36 passengers, new engines, jet propulsion units, a bow ramp, advanced navigation equipment, and enhanced safety gear, including fire equipment and life rafts.

SeaLink NT has recruited and is inducting two full-time crew members for the new ferry service; and will be working closely with GEAT to employ additional Indigenous crew members in the near future.

Etienne Raubenheimer, General Manager of SeaLink Northern Territory, stated, "We are delighted to recommence this vital ferry service for the Groote Eylandt community. SeaLink’s investment in a modern vessel underscores our commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and efficient transport and access, which is crucial for the connectivity and wellbeing of the island's residents."

Keshena Wilson, Groote Eylandt Aboriginal Trust General Manager commented, "Our renewed service contract with SeaLink Northern Territory ensures Anindilykwa residents can resume enjoying access to safe and affordable transport, supporting daily life and cultural activities.”

Mr Raubenheimer said, “While the timeline is still being finalised, we’re excited to be working with the local community to rename the ferry in a way that honours the region’s cultural heritage and significance.”

The SeaLink bus contract has also been extended to align with the new ferry agreement, ensuring uninterrupted service until ferry operations resume. Updated ferry timetables will be provided closer to the service's recommencement in the second quarter 2025, ensuring a seamless transition.

Groote Eylandt, Australia’s fourth-largest island, is home to approximately 1,500 people. SeaLink proudly connects the Anindilyakwa communities of Alyangula, Umbakumba, and Angurugu on Groote Eylandt, as well as Anindilyakwa people living in Milyakburra on Bickerton Island and in Numbulwar on the mainland.

SeaLink has a longstanding commitment to regional connectivity in the Northern Territory, providing ferry connections between Darwin, Mandorah, and the Tiwi Islands for over a decade. The Northern Territory Government also recently extended the ferry services with SeaLink in late 2024 for another five years for these communities.

SeaLink’s Tiwi by Design tour, an immersive and unique cultural day experience, is set to recommence in the second quarter of this year connecting tourists with the Tiwi Islands.

SeaLink NT remains dedicated to supporting the region’s island communities through reliable transport services, community involvement, and employment opportunities, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in the region’s development.

For further updates on the ferry timetable and launch preparations, visit sealink.com.au.