Fast Ferry offers economic opportunities for Aruba and Curaçao
ORANJESTAD - The possibility of introducing a Fast Ferry connection between the islands of Aruba and Curaçao has been explored for several years.
In May 2023, the Minister of Economic Affairs, Communications and Sustainable Development, Geoffrey Wever, together with the Minister of Economic Development of Curaçao, Ruisandro Cijntje, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the economic field between Aruba and Curaçao.
During the past year, there were several occasions when they initiated cooperation to achieve common goals, including in the area of fair trade (Fair Trade).
Recently, several commercial parties expressed interest in establishing a ferry connection, initially between Aruba and Curaçao and in a later phase with Bonaire. Because of the renewed interest, the Council of Ministers of Aruba approved in June 2023 the establishment of a Ferry Connection Commission with the task of advising on the necessary conditions for a ferry connection between Aruba and Curaçao. Based on the FOICE report, the commission concluded that a passenger ferry significantly simplifies the necessary public conditions compared to a ferry carrying passengers and freight.
The Aruba Council of Ministers approved the progress of this project. On August 16, 2024, Minister Wever and Minister Ruisandro Cijntje agreed that Aruba and Curaçao would work together to begin implementation.
Fast Ferry was also recently included as a project in the Land Package to promote trade in the Dutch Caribbean region. The Netherlands will provide technical assistance for its implementation. It will be the first project implemented between the two islands under the Land Package.
