WILLEMSTAD – The Dutch government has confirmed that preparations are underway for the construction of a new Coast Guard hangar at Hato, following concerns about the condition of the current facility.
In answers submitted to the Dutch Parliament, Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius acknowledged that the existing hangar is in substandard structural condition and required repairs in 2025 to remain operational.
The facility serves as an important base for Coast Guard aviation operations in the Dutch Caribbean, supporting surveillance missions, search-and-rescue operations and anti-drug trafficking efforts throughout the region.
According to the minister, repair work completed last year reduced the immediate risk of operational disruptions. However, authorities have already entered the preparatory phase for the construction of a replacement facility.
The government stressed that Coast Guard aviation operations at Hato remain fully operational and that additional temporary measures can be implemented if necessary while the new hangar is being developed.
The investment highlights the strategic importance of Curaçao in regional maritime security operations and ongoing cooperation between the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Caribbean partners and the United States in monitoring Caribbean waters.