WILLEMSTAD – PAR Member of Parliament Shaheen Elhage is demanding answers from the government over reports that cruise ships visiting Curaçao may be allowed to dispose of their waste at the Malpais landfill without paying, raising questions about costs to the country and whether the cruise industry is contributing fairly for the waste it generates.
Elhage submitted 27 parliamentary questions to Minister of Health, Environment and Nature Tyron Boekhoudt concerning the handling of cruise ship waste at Malpais. The questions cover the legal basis of the arrangement, financial consequences, environmental impact and the roles of Selikor and Curaçao Ports Authority (CPA).
According to Elhage, information circulating within the community suggests that cruise ships calling at Curaçao can dispose of their waste at Malpais free of charge. He stresses in his letter that this has not yet been established as fact and asks the minister to clarify the current policy.
Among his first questions is whether cruise ships are indeed allowed to deliver waste without paying and, if so, since when the arrangement has been in effect.
He also wants the government to identify the law, contract, policy or ministerial decision on which such an arrangement is based and explain whether the Ministry, CPA, Selikor or another party is responsible for agreements with cruise operators. Elhage is additionally seeking the names of cruise companies or maritime agents using the facility and whether contracts or Memoranda of Understanding exist with them.
Questions Over Cost to Curaçao
A major part of Elhage’s inquiry focuses on the financial consequences for the country.
He wants figures showing how many cruise ships delivered waste to Malpais in 2024, 2025 and so far in 2026, as well as the number of tons deposited each year.
The PAR parliamentarian is also asking how much it costs Selikor or the government to process the waste, how much revenue the government receives from the activity and, if cruise ships are not paying, how much potential revenue Curaçao is losing annually.
Elhage further asks whether the minister has conducted a cost-revenue analysis of the current arrangement.
The questions come as Curaçao continues to expand its cruise tourism sector, increasing the importance of understanding not only the economic benefits generated by cruise calls but also the public costs associated with them.
Elhage asks Boekhoudt directly whether he considers it fair that local residents and businesses pay for different forms of waste disposal while multinational cruise companies may potentially be allowed to use Malpais without charge.
He also wants to know whether the government believes the cruise tourism sector should contribute toward the costs generated by its activities.
Possible Environmental Fee
Elhage is asking the government to consider introducing an environmental tariff or specific “waste handling fee” for cruise ships.
If the government does not intend to introduce such a charge, he wants the minister to explain why.
The MP is also seeking greater transparency surrounding the entire arrangement.
He asks Boekhoudt whether he is prepared to provide Parliament with all contracts, agreements, assessments, financial calculations and reports concerning cruise ship waste disposal.
In addition, Elhage proposes that the government annually publish figures on the amount of cruise ship waste handled, associated costs and revenues, and the environmental impact.
Elhage submitted the questions under Article 96 of Parliament’s Rules of Order and has requested complete answers within the legally established period.