Liebherr has been named the preferred bidder to supply new tower cranes for Damen Shiprepair Curaçao (DSCu) and CDM Holding (CDMH), as part of a major infrastructure upgrade at the Curaçao’s shipyards.
The planned acquisition will replace several ageing cranes, including crane number 7 at B-Dock, which has operated since 1982.
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Commercial terms for the first rail-mounted Liebherr crane have been agreed, and DSCu, CDMH and Liebherr have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) confirming their commitment to the partnership.
Final contract documentation is currently being completed.
The introduction of new cranes aims to increase lifting capacity, improve operational accuracy, and update safety standards across the facilities. The planned cranes are designed to support more efficient maintenance and conversion work on large vessels.
The selection of Liebherr forms one of two milestones recently marked at DSCu and CDMH during an official visit by Curaçao Economic Development Minister, Roderick Middelhof.
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By GlobalDataAt the same event, Minister Middelhof formally commissioned dock pump systems supplied by German engineering company KSB.
These systems serve both the Beatrix Dock (B-Dock) and Antillia Dock (A-Dock), updating the dry dock’s water removal capability and replacing legacy equipment.
Both developments fall under a strategic improvement programme launched jointly by DSCu and CDMH in 2023.
The programme, supported partly by a Dutch Government grant, carries a total investment value of €20m ($23m) and responds to shifting global shipping routes and rising demand for repair and conversion services in the region.
Programme objectives include modernising technical facilities, renewing equipment, raising safety standards, and supporting employment opportunities at the shipyard.
With these upgrades, Curaçao’s ship repair sector aims to reinforce its role within Caribbean maritime services.
Damen Shiprepair and Conversion Netherlands managing director Jeroen Heesters attended the commissioning event alongside Minister Middelhof.
“The upgrade significantly improves dock turnaround times and reinforces Curaçao’s ability to service larger and more technically complex vessels as Damen Shiprepair Curaçao operates one of the most important dry dock facilities in the southern Caribbean,” Liebherr said.
Recently, Liebherr announced plans to introduce the R 915 Compact, which is set to replace the current R 914 Compact in its range of crawler excavators.
