KRALENDIJK – United Caribbean Line (UCL), the Bonaire-based shipping company that launched operations earlier this year with its own vessel, is continuing to expand its presence in the region. The company is now operating on multiple routes between South America and the ABC islands and is preparing for the acquisition of a second ship.
UCL was established to improve the reliability of supplies of primary construction materials to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Using the multipurpose carrier M/V Mayflower II, the company transports materials such as sand, aggregates, and cement in big bags. The operation targets the structural demand for building materials on the islands, which are heavily dependent on imports.
According to the Curaçao Maritime Association, UCL currently maintains both fixed and charter routes linking Colombia with Curaçao, Guyana with Curaçao, and Santo Domingo with Bonaire. The network also includes Trinidad, Mexico, and several islands in the eastern Caribbean. While the company’s core focus remains bulk transport, it is also exploring the expansion of container services, including potential routes from Barranquilla.
A notable feature of UCL’s operations is its involvement in recycling flows. On return voyages from Bonaire, the vessel transports containers filled with cardboard, tires, plastics, and metals to Colombia for processing. By combining the import of construction materials with the export of recyclable waste, UCL increases vessel utilization and improves the overall efficiency of its routes.
Although the company is still relatively young, the maritime sector reports that UCL has already secured stable cargo flows and built credibility within the break-bulk segment. For the time being, the company is not actively pursuing broader market expansion, as existing contracts largely fill current capacity.
The next phase of growth will focus on fleet expansion. According to UCL’s management, preparations are underway for the purchase of a second multipurpose vessel. This would allow the company to increase sailing frequency and reliability while strengthening its position as a logistics link between South America and the Caribbean.
With its expanding route network and planned fleet growth, United Caribbean Line is positioning itself as a regional shipping player in a market that is critical to the construction sector and the broader economic development of the ABC islands.