Manager Peter Ford said Bailey's had six bowsers at Darwin Harbour's Fishermans Wharf in and a bowser for larger vessels such as offshore support vessels, rig tenders and the customs fleet at the nearby Darwin Ship Repairs facility.

“We only opened the facility on Thursday, and already we’ve had Total Marine use us,” said Ford.

Ford said there had previously been no fuel available on demand at Darwin Harbour, but now with its fully automated, remote monitored service, customers can refuel at their own leisure.

He said Bailey's currently offered diesel only but would soon supply with unleaded petrol.

The fit-for-purpose operation was estimated to have cost about a million dollars to build.