Курасао расширяет судоремонт: внедрение работ на плаву и инвестиции в €100 млн

WILLEMSTAD – Damen Shiprepair Curaçao is looking to expand ship-repair activities beyond the traditional docks by carrying out more repairs on vessels while they remain afloat, potentially opening additional locations such as Caracasbaai to maritime maintenance activities. The strategy forms part of broader efforts to expand Curaçao’s ship-repair industry as CDM Holding considers an investment program of more than €100 million for the modernization and expansion of the island’s shipyard. Under so-called “afloat jobs,” vessels do not necessarily have to enter a dry dock before repair and maintenance work can be performed. Instead, technicians can carry out certain activities while vessels remain in the water. According to Damen, such operations could potentially also be conducted at Caracasbaai, expanding the geographical reach and flexibility of Curaçao’s ship-repair sector. The development was discussed during a visit by the Association of Dutch Caribbean Economists to the Schottegat, where representatives met with CDM Holding director Augustin Diaz and Damen Shiprepair Curaçao director Surldric Rojer. The initiative comes as Curaçao seeks to position its maritime sector to benefit from changing economic conditions in the region. Guyana and Suriname are becoming particularly important potential markets because of the rapid expansion of their offshore oil and gas industries. That development requires a growing fleet of offshore support vessels, which regularly need maintenance, repairs and other technical services. Curaçao’s geographical position and existing ship-repair infrastructure could allow the island to capture part of that market if sufficient capacity is available. There is also potential for renewed business from Venezuela if economic restrictions continue to ease and Venezuelan vessels are again able to use Curaçao more frequently for repairs and maintenance. At the same time, CDM Holding is pursuing CAPEX 2.0, an investment program worth more than €100 million. The plan includes major infrastructure improvements and the acquisition of four new cranes, although financing has not yet been finalized. The combination of expanded shipyard capacity and more flexible afloat repair services could allow Curaçao to handle a wider range of vessels without relying exclusively on available dry-dock capacity. The plans represent an effort to turn the shipyard into a stronger regional maritime service center, with future growth increasingly linked not only to traditional shipping but also to the expanding offshore energy industry in the Guianas.