American Think Tank: Why is the Port of Darwin in Australia Important?

Since 2015, China's Landbridge Group has been operating the port under a 99-year lease. Last week, American private equity firm Cerberus expressed interest in leasing the port from Canberra.

Why is Darwin important?

Firstly, Darwin occupies a prime location. Naval historian Alfred Thayer Mahan designed three criteria to help naval officers assess the value of any strategic location (primarily potential naval bases). "Position" or geographical location refers to the distance between this location and the target the naval commander wishes to influence (such as enemy bases, important coasts, or strategic waterways). "Strength" refers to a combination of natural and man-made defenses to resist enemy attacks. "Resources" refer to the ability of ports or surrounding areas to supply warships with fuel, ammunition, and various supplies.

Darwin easily meets Mahan's standards in all three indicators, especially in terms of strategic position. It is the main port in northern Australia, located on a landmass jutting out into the South China Sea. The naval forces stationed there occupy a central position outside the southern arc of the first island chain in Asia. The first island chain stretches from Japan, through Taiwan, the Philippine archipelago, and Indonesian islands, finally merging into the Strait of Malacca. Of particular note is that the best alternative channel to the Strait of Malacca—the Sunda Strait and Lombok Strait—are near the Port of Darwin.

The unique geographical location of the Port of Darwin allows ships and aircraft to move freely horizontally. They can move left and right on the map, which helps to blockade the first island chain and prevent competitors' maritime and air activities. Additionally, they enjoy vertical access to the South China Sea, one of the most conflict-prone seas in Asia and even the world.

In short, the Port of Darwin occupies an important strategic position and has ample resources to support naval forces.

Source: The National Interest

Date: June 6th

Author: James Holmes

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1834343641453002/

Disclaimer: This article represents only the views of the author