The Northern Territory's Infrastructure Minister Bill Yan has revealed that the US Navy is interested in utilizing the $850 million Darwin ship lift, which is expected to be completed by March 2027. The ship lift, capable of handling vessels up to 5,500 tonnes, aims to bolster maritime capabilities in Northern Australia. The project, initially proposed in 2015, has faced significant cost overruns, with the total now reaching $850 million, half of which has already been spent. Paspaley, Australia's largest pearling company, will operate the facility, meaning the government will not receive direct revenue from it. Yan emphasized the ship lift's role within the broader Northern Marine Complex, which will provide essential services for vessel maintenance and is designed to attract private sector investment. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been a close partner in the project, although they have not confirmed any commitment to use the ship lift. Yan expressed optimism that the project will ultimately benefit taxpayers through job creation and economic growth in the region.