WILLEMSTAD — The Curaçao drydock has reached an important milestone in its modernization program with the successful installation of the first of two new main pumps for the Antilla Dock, marking a major step forward in the upgrade of critical infrastructure at the shipyard.
The drydock, operated by Damen Shiprepair Curaçao and owned by CDM Holding, confirmed that the new pump was positioned on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The installation follows 54 years of continuous service by the original Antilla Dock pumping system.
The replacement introduces state-of-the-art, high-capacity pumps supplied by KSB Pumps, signaling a new era of reliability, efficiency, and operational performance for the shipyard. With this step, the modernization of the dock pumping systems is nearing completion. The pumping systems at the Beatrix Dock have already been fully installed and are operational, while the Antilla Dock is now entering the final phase of its upgrade. Once completed, both docks will operate with uniform, modern pumping systems, improving consistency and efficiency across the entire facility.
The milestone also highlights Curaçao’s long-standing engineering legacy. The former Beatrix Dock pumps, originally installed in 1942, remained in service for an exceptional 84 years before being replaced. Their longevity underscores both the craftsmanship of earlier generations and the enduring strategic importance of Curaçao’s ship repair industry.
The timing of the upgrade is particularly significant as the Curaçao drydock approaches a historic anniversary. In September 2026, the shipyard will mark 100 years of ship repair operations on the island. On September 11, 1926, the first vessel, the S.S. Leonora, was serviced in the Wilhelmina Floating Dock, laying the foundation for a century-long maritime tradition.
Under the upgrade program, the Beatrix Dock is equipped with two main pumps with a capacity of 6,132 cubic meters per hour each, two auxiliary pumps of 272 cubic meters per hour each, and a bilge pump with a capacity of 140 cubic meters per hour. The Antilla Dock will operate with two main pumps of 12,000 cubic meters per hour each, two auxiliary pumps of 1,000 cubic meters per hour each, and a bilge pump with a capacity of 500 cubic meters per hour.
In parallel with the pumping upgrades, the shipyard has also replaced its medium-voltage switchgear, significantly strengthening the electrical network and improving overall reliability and resilience across dock operations.
The works form part of a broader strategic improvement plan launched in January 2023, under which CDM Holding committed €20 million, supported by a Dutch government subsidy, to modernize and replace critical infrastructure at its ship repair facilities. A key priority within this plan was the full renewal of the main and auxiliary pumping systems for both the Beatrix and Antilla docks.
According to the operators, these investments reinforce Curaçao’s position as a leading ship repair hub in the region, combining respect for a rich maritime heritage with decisive investment in the future of the island’s industrial and maritime economy.