WILLEMSTAD – CDM Holding has started dismantling one of the most recognizable structures at the Curaçao shipyard as part of a major modernization project aimed at transforming the facility into a more competitive regional maritime hub.
Kraan 7, which has been in operation since the 1980s, is being removed to make way for a new Liebherr tower crane that is expected to become operational during the first quarter of 2027.
The new crane has already been purchased and represents the first step in a larger plan to replace five cranes at the shipyard. CDM Holding is currently seeking financing for the acquisition of the remaining four cranes as part of a proposed second phase of the modernization program.
According to CDM Holding, replacing the outdated crane infrastructure is necessary to improve safety, efficiency and the shipyard’s ability to handle larger and more complex repair projects from regional and international shipping companies.
CDM Holding owns the shipyard, which is operated by Damen Shiprepair Curaçao. Both companies are working together on the renewal of installations and other strategic infrastructure at the facility.
The first phase of the investment program is being supported financially by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and Curaçao’s Ministry of Economic Development. The total cost of the dismantling work, the new crane and the complete modernization program has not been disclosed.
The modernization of the shipyard is also linked to the planned development of the Buskabaai area, where authorities and maritime stakeholders envision the creation of a larger maritime zone focused on ship repair, offshore support, logistics and industrial services.
The Buskabaai development involves several parties, including Curaçao Ports Authority, 2Bays, Buskabaai N.V. and the Curaçao Maritime Association (CMAR), together with various government ministries.
CDM Holding said that combining a modernized shipyard with the future development of Buskabaai could strengthen Curaçao’s position as a maritime center in the region. The company expects the investments to attract more international maritime businesses and create specialized employment opportunities.
For more than four decades, Kraan 7 was a defining feature of the Curaçao shipyard. Its removal marks the visible start of a new investment phase designed to prepare the facility for the future of maritime services on the island.