WILLEMSTAD.- In one or two months Aruba will finalize with the agreement regarding the Fast Ferry between the islands. And before the end of the year the second agreement will be concluded with the Operator. The Aruban Minister of Transportation, Chris Romero, told the ‘Ret Caribense’. He thinks that the Ferry will measure 120 meters with capacity to transport 800 people easily and 300 cars.
The Spanish Boat Company, Fred Olsen Express over the past years has shown interest in a ferry service between the islands. The Dutch Waterbus Company also and since last week a Turkish company was bidding, of which the Minister did not want to give name.
An important requirement is that the Operating Company also invests in the adequacy of the Port. The Government of Aruba wants to invest but believes that this can cost half a million guilders. “If we invest directly, this will cost us 10 times more than if a private company does it.” The Minister assured.
He presumes that a ticket could cost more than 100 guilders: “And even less.”
The islands will revive their economy once this Ferry service is opened. Currently the container transport between the islands is very expensive, said Romero who also glimpses that the fast ferry will increase tourism between the two islands.
What would this Ferry service mean for the local aviation companies taking into account that many times they work to maintain flights between the islands? … The Minister does not yet know: “We have not sat down with them. It is certainly a challenge for these companies, but this also offers opportunities for these companies to diversify their services.”
Last year politician Robby Beukenboom of Bonaire said he is in favor of a ferry connection between the ABC islands. And he said that the problem with the air connection is repeating itself, while a connection with the sea is a very important advantage.
“Not only will the ferry be much cheaper but it will also mean that people will be able to take their cars if they wish to stay a few days on any of the islands, Curacao or Bonaire”.
