The livestock export industry employs almost 2000 people, mostly living and working in regional and/or remote locations within the Territory.

Extensive cattle production is conducted on some of the largest pastoral holdings in the world, ranging from 200sq km to more than 12,000sq km.

The industry is based on 250 properties held mainly under perpetual leases, and carrying an estimated 1.9 million head of cattle.

Herd numbers and turn off of finished beasts have increased significantly over the past 20 years.

Northern Territory pastoralists turn off more than 550,000 head of cattle a year for domestic slaughter and Asian live export markets.

The industry has seen major productivity improvements on the back of rapidly enhanced management practices across all aspects of pastoral enterprises. With its multi-modal facilities, deep water berths and dedicated infrastructure, the Port of Darwin boasts more than 25 years' live export experience.

Multiple holding yards are situated close to the berths at East Arm Wharf and the port is extremely well served by excellent quarantine services and highly-trained stevedores who understand the value of animal welfare.

Darwin's close proximity to Australia's beef producers and to growing consumer markets of Asia make it the port of choice for livestock exports.

Primary markets such as Indonesia and Malaysia are just four or five days' sailing away so cattle spend less time in transit both on land and at sea, which is vital to maintaining their superior quality.

In 2009, 346,314 head of cattle were exported through the Port of Darwin, which currently holds the world record for having loaded 22,184 head on to a single vessel. The Port of Darwin exports about 60 percent of all Australian cattle bound for South-East Asia.

Almost 90pc of live cattle exported from the Territory go to Indonesia, but ministerial delegations to Vietnam and Sabah in Malaysia have seen new markets opened up. The first shipment to Vietnam occurred late in 2009.

The trade is set to grow and is an important part of the Darwin Port Corporation's masterplan for East Arm Wharf.

The Port of Darwin is renowned for the speed, efficiency and care it applies to the handling of livestock.

The port is firmly established as Australia's northern gateway port of choice. It is the northern terminus of the AustralAsia Railway that links Australia with its trading partners in Asia and throughout the world.