WILLEMSTAD - Holland Shipyards Group has been awarded a contract by the Curaçao Port Authority (CPA) for the renovation and electrification of the world-famous Koningin Emmabrug in Willemstad. For the shipbuilder based in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, this marks its first project in the Caribbean, immediately positioning the company on an international stage with a high-profile assignment.
The floating pedestrian bridge, popularly known as the “Swinging Old Lady,” has connected the historic districts of Punda and Otrobanda since the late 19th century. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage designation of Willemstad, the Queen Emma Bridge is not only a critical piece of Curaçao’s infrastructure but also a powerful symbol of culture, community, and history.
Constructed largely of wood and supported by a series of pontoons, the bridge features a unique mechanism that allows the deck to swing open sideways, granting passage to ships entering the Sint Annabaai. This combination of functionality and distinctive design has made the bridge one of the island’s most recognizable landmarks.
The project will deliver a major technical upgrade to the bridge. Holland Shipyards Group will supply and install a completely new motor pontoon with electric propulsion, a newly constructed control cabin, and all associated electrical systems. In line with the sustainability objectives of both the Curaçao Port Authority and Holland Shipyards Group, the new propulsion system will be fully electric and therefore emission-free.
Key design principles for the modernization include reliability, efficiency, and durability, with specific consideration given to operation under tropical conditions. Maintenance friendliness and a long service life are also central to the project’s approach.
“We feel honored to contribute to a project that is both technically challenging and culturally significant,” Holland Shipyards Group stated, underscoring the importance of the Queen Emma Bridge not only as an engineering structure but as a living monument at the heart of Curaçao.