Darwin Port hosts a US SSN & US Submarine Tender

Since the preceding article Guam based Virginia-class USS Minnesota (SSN-783) and US submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) docked [1] in late March 2025 (or are still docking) at Kuru Wharf. Kuru Wharf (see a Canberra-class LHD docked at it below) is outside the breakwater within HMAS Coonawarra Naval Base at Port of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

Inside the breakwater (above) of HMAS Coonawarra only patrol boats or other craft with a draught of 2m maximum (in any tide) can dock. [2] 

The Port of Darwin is Chinese owned and run [3] [4].

On Friday 4th April, 5 days after I wrote this May 31, 2025 article noting China's ownership, Australian Prime Minister Albanese for the first time revealed a new plan for the Port of Darwin. [5] This plan is for an Australian-owned company to take control of Port of Darwin away from China, or for the port to return to being an Australian government asset. Coincidence? You be the judge :)

[1] https://www.pacom.mil/Media/NEWS/News-Article-View/Article/4137812/emory-s-land-arrives-in-darwin/

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Coonawarra#Facilities_and_operational_units

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Darwin#Privatisation 

[4] https://en.as.com/latest_news/us-nuclear-submarine-emerges-within-meters-of-a-controversial-chinese-lease-not-one-of-our-partners-n/

[5] https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/04/anthony-albanese-says-chinese-lease-port-of-darwin-should-return-to-australia