ORANJESTAD - For several years, the possibility of introducing a Fast Ferry connection between the islands of Aruba and Curaçao has been under exploration. In May 2023, Aruba's Minister Geoffrey Wever and Curaçao's Minister Ruisandro Cijntje signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote economic cooperation between the two islands. 

Over the past year, various initiatives have been taken to achieve common goals, including in the area of fair trade. Recently, several commercial entities have shown interest in launching a ferry service, starting between Aruba and Curaçao and, in a later phase, expanding to Bonaire. 

Due to this renewed interest, the Aruban Council of Ministers decided in June 2023 to establish a Ferry Commission, tasked with providing advice on the necessary conditions for a ferry connection between Aruba and Curaçao. 

Based on the FOICE report, the commission concluded that a passenger ferry would significantly simplify the necessary public conditions compared to a ferry that transports both passengers and cargo. 

The Aruban Council of Ministers has approved the progress of this project, and last Friday, Ministers Geoffrey Wever and Ruisandro Cijntje agreed that Aruba and Curaçao will jointly begin the implementation of this project. 

Recently, the Fast Ferry has also been included as a project in the Country Package, as part of promoting trade within the Dutch Caribbean region. 

The Netherlands will provide technical support for the implementation. This project will be the first to be executed between the two islands within the framework of the Country Package.