In the week of September 25, 26, 27, and 28, Curaçao, like other countries worldwide, celebrates the International Maritime Days. The highlight of these days occurs every year on the last Thursday of the month in September, which is International Maritime Day.
This year, it took place on September 28. Curacao Ports Authority (CPA), Kompania di Tou Curacao (KTK), Curaçao Pilots Organization (CPO), the Coast Guard, and Citro organized various activities during this week to raise awareness among students about the importance of the maritime sector and, in particular, the work carried out by these different companies. Every year, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) celebrates International Maritime Day and focuses on a relevant maritime topic.
This year’s theme was ‘MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on,’ reflecting the organization’s long history of protecting the environment from the impact of shipping through a robust regulatory framework and emphasizing its ongoing dedication to this important work. On Tuesday, September 26th, the Minister of Economic Development, Mr. Ruisandro Cijntje, along with the Director of CPA, Mr. Humberto de Castro, and Minister Hato, representing Minister Charles Cooper of Traffic, Transport, and Spatial Planning, opened the Maritime Days 2023. During this event, students from various secondary schools were provided with explanations about the importance of the environment for the maritime sector in Curaçao.
It was also highlighted that global attention is being given to new technological developments to make the maritime industry more environmentally conscious. Following the official opening, the students boarded a tugboat from KTK and a ferry, where they received information from the boat operators and the staff of Fort Nassau (the Port Traffic Control Center). They also went on board the Coast Guard’s ‘cutter’ Jaguar, Citro’s ‘seadoo,’ and received information about the duties of the pilots.
As a port authority, we are committed to environmental management, and as a result, CPA has achieved ISO 9001 and 14001 certification for several consecutive years. curacaochronicle.com