WILLEMSTAD – Governor of Curaçao Mauritsz de Kort paid an official working visit on March 10 to CDM Holding and several maritime facilities in the Buskabaai area, where discussions focused on investments in the island’s ship repair sector and plans to further develop the maritime industry.
The governor, accompanied by a delegation, visited the facilities of CDM Holding as well as surrounding locations including the asphalt lake at Buskabaai N.V., the connection between the dry dock area and 2Bays, and the shipyard operated by Damen Shiprepair Curaçao.
During the visit, the delegation received a presentation on ongoing investments in the shipyard and plans to modernize maritime infrastructure in the Dok and Buskabaai areas.
CDM Holding’s management presented the first phase of capital investments in the shipyard, which is currently nearing completion. Approximately €20 million has been invested in this phase, including new dock pumps, electrical systems, crane rails and the installation of a new crane.
According to the company, these investments will strengthen the operational capacity of the shipyard, which is operated by Damen Shiprepair Curaçao.
Officials also discussed a proposed second phase of investments valued at about $60 million. Financing for this phase is currently being sought. The planned upgrades include modernization of the EEG quay, a possible replacement of the A-dock gate, new workshops and warehouses, improved infrastructure and the installation of four additional cranes.
CDM Holding and Damen Shiprepair Curaçao say the investments are intended to create a more sustainable and economically self-supporting operating model for the shipyard, which could eventually allow the sector itself to finance further growth.
During the visit, participants also noted a historic milestone: in September, Curaçao will mark 100 years of ship repair activities on the island, a sector that has long played an important role in the maritime economy and employment.
The delegation also discussed plans for the cleanup and redevelopment of Buskabaai. Officials presented the idea of establishing a “Programmatic Maritime Table,” a collaborative platform where government, private sector representatives and other stakeholders would coordinate an integrated development agenda for the Dok and Buskabaai area.
Part of the proposed development includes reopening Buskabaai to maritime traffic. This would involve removing the current connection between the dry dock area and 2Bays.
Following the presentations, the governor and his delegation toured the facilities of CDM Holding, including the connection between 2Bays and the dock area, the asphalt lake and the ship repair facilities of Damen Shiprepair Curaçao.
Representatives attending the visit included members of the supervisory board and management of CDM Holding, the director of Damen Shiprepair Curaçao and the director of Buskabaai N.V.