Page 16 - ARUBA TODAY

A16 LOCAL
Thursday 26 July 2018

Ferry from Aruba to Curaçao closer to reality

Aruba and Curaçaois is only invests in infrastructure
very expensive, so the ferry to and from the terminal
also creates business op- and the cleaning of the
portunities. According to harbor's terrain as it’s con-
projections, most passen- taminated by the nearby
gers will be local. However oil refinery.
the Aruban government
sees a push for its tourism The terminal needs suffi-
also. cient space for all the pas-
sengers and cars arriving
Cheaper than airfare and also to accommodate
Tourists can take the boat a boat of 120 meters. The
to the neighbouring island Aruban student Zaira Pou-
and return in one day if rier studying in the Neth-
they want. Or they can erlands, finished her study
extend their holliday on on the ferry terminal in San
the other island. This is also Nicolas. Pourier studies ar-
possible by plane however chitecture and designed
the airfare is expensive. A a logistic roundabout. She
half hour flight costs more got help from San Nicolas
than 200 dollars including Business Association that
air tax. Whilst the planned promotes business in the in-
ticket price for a trip by fer- dustrial city. The result shows
ry won’t surpass 100 florin, a a roundabout of different
little more than 55 dollar. levels: the lowest level is for
passengers on foot leaving
The governments of both or arriving, in this way pre-
islands have already dis- venting congestion.
cussed issues like border The roof also contains solar
ORANJESTAD - For many 800 passengers. Olson Express has shown control and other migra- panels producing sufficient
years fantasized, debated interest in operating a ferry cion issues. In a couple of energy for at least a 100
and proposed but now be- Minister of Transport has service between the island months both governments households or for electric
coming reality: a fast ferry announced that before for many years. Also Dutch will sign their first agreement busses in the future. The ex-
connecting Aruba with Cu- the end of this year a con- company Waterbus and a on this and as mentioned, aminers at the Dutch uni-
racao. Next year the ferry tract will be sealed with still unknown Turkish com- later on the contract fol- versity were very impressed
should be in operation with a ferry provider. Already pany have applied. lows with a ferry provider. and rewarded the Aruban
a carry capacity of at least Spanisch company Fred student with a high score
For the local economies The selected company on her finals. But is still has
the ferry would be a bless- has to invest also heavily to be seen if the selected
ing. As the boat’s capac- in the ferry terminal that is company at the end of this
ity will also allow 300 cars planned in San Nicolas. As year will go ahead with her
on board. Freight between the Aruban government design. q