WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao government is stepping up efforts to position the island as a regional logistics hub for the rapidly expanding offshore oil industries of Suriname and Guyana.
Finance and Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning Minister Charles Cooper presented the government's vision on Friday to Dutch State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg during a tour of Curaçao's harbor.
According to Cooper, the government sees significant opportunities at Bullenbaai, where crude oil and petroleum products from Suriname and Guyana could be stored and transshipped before reaching international markets.
Cooper said the two South American countries currently lack sufficient storage and port infrastructure to support every aspect of their expected oil exports. Curaçao, with its existing facilities and strategic location, could fill that gap by serving as a regional logistics center.
The minister also highlighted opportunities for the island's maritime sector, including attracting vessels from the offshore energy industry for ship repair and maintenance. Curaçao's dry dock and other maritime companies already possess the expertise and infrastructure needed to support the growing oil sector.
Cooper previously promoted the same strategy during an economic mission to Suriname, where he attended the Suriname Energy, Oil & Gas Summit and held discussions with government officials, Staatsolie and representatives of the private sector.
However, no contracts or investment agreements were announced during Van der Burg's visit. It also remains unclear whether oil companies operating in Suriname or Guyana have committed to using Curaçao's storage facilities, tugboat services or ship repair capabilities.
For now, the government's efforts remain focused on positioning Curaçao as a preferred service provider ahead of Suriname's expected large-scale offshore oil production.