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2013 IN REVIEW

Aruba Ports Authority registered a record 18% increase in cruise passengers in 2013. The port registered 688,588 passengers, over 100,000 more than in 2012.
Cargo figures were up as well, with a total growth of 13.8% in December, an average 12.8% monthly raise throughout the year, and a 14.2% year over year advance.
Along with a superb ending, the port accomplished numerous noteworthy highlights during the entire period.
In early 2013 they announced that they were ready to begin the necessary work to move the container operations to Barcadera. This project is of vital importance for diversification of Aruba’s economy and its future growth. The moving of the operations is expected to generate new opportunities for the container port and the Freezone and also for Aruba’s cruise port in Oranjestad, which will be able to undergo the necessary development to accommodate more cruise lines and cruise visitors during the high-season.
The Board of Supervisory Directors of the Aruba Ports Authority also approved a Green Port Policy. The strategy will translate the port’s vision into action by taking the Oranjestad community in particular, the island’s economy, and environment into account in everything they do by committing to the protection and improvement of the environmental conditions of the waters under jurisdiction of the Aruba Ports Authority Oranjestad and Barcadera harbors. The first green initiative taken by the port is a thriving mangrove reforestation project initiated in mid-2013 on a badly damaged reef island across from the Oranjestad harbor. This area is also one of four (4) IBA’s or Important Bird Areas that were previously protected by lush Black and Red Mangroves over fifty (50) years ago.
Furthermore the port is collaborating with TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research) to work on a new waterside security solution. The research project is a basic prototype system for diver and boat detection waterside security system named SOBEK. This technology is environmentally friendly and can be considerably cheaper than existing solutions. While a proof of concept for SOBEK has been delivered in North-West European waters, the acoustic underwater environment in Aruba will clearly be different: temperature, salinity and sounds produced by the underwater biology all have their influence on the underwater acoustic environment.
In 2011 APA introduced a summer incentive package to attract more ships during the low season (May through September) which consists of discounts on the Cruise Passenger Fee (CPF), Wharfage Fee, and Pilotage Fee. The program has been very advantageous to clients producing increased Summer Savings for them and growing the port’s arrivals and revenue since its inception during the summer months, a monthly average increase of 156.9% (23,382 visitors) was registered in 2013. In addition to the value added package, the port also added reduced water prices to the package as of December 1st, 2013 and bunkering possibilities starting on the same date.
In addition to internal progress, attractive new developments have taken place directly around the Port of Oranjestad. Port visitors will be able to catch the Oranjestad trolley right at the port’s main gate. The streetcar is a replica of the Birney Trolley which will allow them to experience great shopping and dining but most importantly it will take guests through many significant eras in the history of the small island nation.
The port surpassed our 2013 business goals; nevertheless the ultimate purpose of each business transaction the port pursues is the economic impact on the Aruban community.

MOVING TO BARCADERA

In late 2013 the port announced that they had completed the final phase of the tender process and were ready to begin the necessary work to move the container port to Barcadera. After careful review and completion of the customary bidding procedures the time has come to begin Aruba’s US $ 62 million dollar project to Design, Build, Finance, Maintain, Operate, and Transfer the Multi-Cargo Sea Terminal at Barcadera
The timeline of the process of this undertaking dates all the way back to the year 1994. The development entails much more than just the moving of the container port, however for the Aruba Ports Authority N.V. the current task began with the first tender process for the concession contract publicized on February 15th, 2011. After careful review and evaluation, the contract was awarded to the local stevedoring company Aruba Stevedoring Company (ASTEC) NV. The project will be implemented as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) under the Landlord Model. The concessionaire will be responsible for the investments in terminal infrastructure, labor, and operational activities.
The second public tender was announced on February 1st, 2013 for the refurbishing of the existing quay wall and the installation of anchors, bollards, fendering, and a separate on-land-mooring-dolphin, the construction of a new quay wall extension, and the placement of breasting dolphins. Other activities consisting of dredging and construction of a scour protection at the bottom in front of the quay was also part of the total scope of work. On September 11th , 2013 APA accepted the proposal of the American Bridge company who will be working with the local companies ALBO/Arubaanse Wegenbouw Maatschappij.
The port’s vision is to realize a project with guaranteed sustainability. This project is thus of vital importance for diversification of Aruba’s economy and its future growth.
The moving of the container port is expected to generate new opportunities for the container port and the Freezone and also for Aruba’s cruise port in Oranjestad which will be able to undergo the necessary development to accommodate more cruise lines and cruise visitors during our high-season, generating additional revenue for our country.

GREEN PORT POLICY

The Board of Supervisory Directors (BOSD) of the Aruba Ports Authority approved a Green Port Policy in late November 2013. The strategy will translate the port’s vision into action by taking the Oranjestad community in particular, the island’s economy, and environment into account in everything they do by committing to the protection and improvement of the environmental conditions of the waters under jurisdiction of the Aruba Ports Authority (Paardenbaai/Barcadera).

This is a commitment to conducting operations and managing resources in an environmentally sensitive and responsible manner. The Green Port Policy has been approved with this in mind and is focused on balancing environmental, social and economic factors into operations in waters under port authority.

Their duty will be to provide leadership by curtailing environmental impacts from operations on waters surrounding the port area and safeguard a flourishing community where people and the environment thrive. The ultimate goal of the program is to achieve long-term environmental, societal and economic benefits through resource conservation, waste reduction and pollution prevention.

As part of the program, the Port sets measurable goals and will evaluate progress in each area on an annual basis. The program continues the Port’s existing environmental efforts and expands these efforts through new programs and initiatives.

Go to www.arubaports.com/main/green-initiatives for more information on our Mangrove Reforestation project.