The Curaçao maritime sector came together to celebrate World Maritime Day 2025. This year’s official IMO theme, “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity”, served as a guiding call to action, highlighting the importance of environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic opportunity in the maritime world.

This year’s Maritime Day theme is a powerful reminder that sustainability is both a responsibility and a chance to grow stronger as an industry, and while it sets a global tone, many of CMAR’s members are already taking concrete steps in this direction, demonstrating that sustainability is not just a global goal, but a local reality. From MRC’s shore power solutions that help reduce emissions while ships are docked, to Bluewater Marine Services’ streamlined offshore logistics and upcoming dive support services, innovation is clearly underway. The team behind 2BAYS is developing a new port area with sustainability at its core, and CPA continues to invest in greener operations and smarter port management. These efforts, along with CMAR’s commitment to promoting maritime education and collaboration, show that Curaçao’s maritime sector is aligned with the international call to protect our ocean while strengthening our economy.

From September 22–24, 2025, over 460 students from six secondary schools visited Mathey Wharf for an interactive experience that brought them face to face with key players in the maritime field. Companies such as KTK Tugs, the Curaçao Pilots Organization (CPO), Curoil, Damen, the Meteorological Department and the Maritime Museum received the students to show them the variety of careers, skills and innovations driving Curaçao’s maritime operations. Hands-on demonstrations offered a first glimpse into the diverse and often overlooked world of maritime careers.

The message was clear: the ocean is part of Curaçao’s future. And for that future to thrive, we need young people who are engaged, informed and inspired. That’s why speeches by Mrs. Susan Larmonie-van Heydoorn, Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, and CPA CEO Mr. Humberto de Castro emphasized maritime education and sustainable development. From safety and innovation to port logistics and climate resilience, our port’s progress will depend on new generations who understand the challenges and possibilities that lie offshore.

On the evening of World Maritime Day, CMAR brought together its members for a networking event at the Maritime Museum Curaçao, a fitting close to a week celebrating the people and partnerships that shape the island’s maritime identity.

The evening opened with a short speech by CMAR President Sujit Mathoera about Curaçao’s opportunity to lead the way in sustainable maritime development by balancing people, planet and profit. “No one sails this ship alone,” he reminded guests. “Success comes from teamwork-port, shipping lines, freight forwarders, government, schools-all pulling together.”

Marius Bremmer, a journalist known for his maritime articles followed with his talk. Earlier this year, Marius published an article in Schuttevaer that featured an in-depth interview with CMAR board member Albert Elens on the development of Curaçao’s cruise market.

Jan Sierhuis, Director of the Maritime Authority Curaçao, spoke on the rising concern of “shadow fleets”, oil tankers operating under false Curaçao flags. Curaçao’s flag is among the world’s top ten most abused flag states, raising questions about legal and environmental accountability. More on false flag-state concerns can be found here  and here.

The evening closed with refreshments and informal networking, capping off a meaningful week of connection, reflection and renewed commitment to honor our ocean and embrace the opportunities it holds for the island’s future.

All CPA photos used with permission.