ROTTERDAM, WILLEMSTAD - The Port of Rotterdam Authority's participation in Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA) has been discontinued. “We have been informed that the policy of the new government in Curaçao is not to sell shares of state participation to foreign parties,” said the Rotterdam Port Authority.

Under the Rhuggenaath cabinet, the two port companies were discussing a far-reaching form of cooperation that should have resulted in a (limited) shareholding. The change of government is now putting an end to that. “We are still waiting for formal confirmation of this regarding our joint effort to achieve a participation,” said the Rotterdam Port Authority.

Despite the failure of the intended share transaction, the Rotterdam Port Authority is still open to collaborating with CPA. “Our commitment is aimed at seeking a form of cooperation in the field of port development that serves Curaçao. Research into and discussions about this have not been completed. We are awaiting a formal response from the government of Curaçao," said the spokesman, who said that the equity issue was not discussed during the recent visit of Finance Minister Javier Silvania to President-Director Allard Castelein.

Castelein said in 2018 in the magazine CURACAO (an edition of the Curaçao House) that he consciously opted for a shareholding. “We don't want a collaboration for one, two or five years, but see it as a long-term process. That is why we would like to confirm and perpetuate our commitment by becoming a co-shareholder. It is a minority share.”