Logistics services in Curaçao.

Curaçao logistics overview: modes, trade and gateways

Curaçao handles international freight mainly through seaports and one international airport. There are 4 seaports, including Willemstad, Bullenbaai, Caracasbaai and Sint Michelsbaai, with cargo pier depths up to about 23 meters. Scheduled air services use Hato International Airport (CUR). Container traffic is about 98,100 TEU a year, and liner shipping connectivity is measured by an LSCI of 6.59.

Shipping lines such as CMA CGM, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, ONE and X-Press Feeders have offices in Willemstad or Curaçao, supporting regular sea services. The coastline is about 364 km, and there are 3 oil terminals and a merchant marine fleet of 57 ships, including general cargo and oil tankers, for maritime logistics needs.

When evaluating freight forwarders in Curaçao, check how they use the main ports of Willemstad, Bullenbaai, Caracasbaai and Sint Michelsbaai and Hato International Airport for your routes. Container throughput is about 98,100 TEU and the LSCI score of 6.59 is in the lower range globally, so a forwarder that understands feeder schedules and transshipment options can matter.

Exports are about 397 million USD and imports about 2.3 billion USD, with strong trade flows to and from partners such as Armenia, the USA and the Netherlands. Ask how the forwarder manages shipments to these markets, and how they handle LPI-type bottlenecks in infrastructure, tracking and international shipments, where scores around 2.6 to 2.8 sit close to the world median of 2.7.

FCL and LCL shipping from and to Curaçao move mainly through the seaports of Willemstad, Bullenbaai, Caracasbaai and Sint Michelsbaai. Willemstad and Bullenbaai are medium-sized ports; Caracasbaai is small and Sint Michelsbaai very small, with maximum reported cargo pier depths of about 23 meters. Curaçao handles about 98,100 TEU a year, ranking 125th of 168 worldwide and 26th of 38 in Latin America & Caribbean.

The LSCI score of 6.59 places the country 130th of 169 worldwide and 28th of 40 in the region. Major container shipping lines with offices in Willemstad or Curaçao include CMA CGM, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, ONE and X-Press Feeders. These carriers support routing options for containerized exports like refined petroleum, crude petroleum, diamonds, gold and petroleum coke, as well as imports such as refined petroleum, cars, garments, plastic products and packaged medicine.

Air freight in Curaçao runs through Hato International Airport (CUR), the only airport with scheduled services. This airport handles higher-value or time-sensitive goods that match the country’s trade profile, such as diamonds, gold, garments and packaged medicine.

With merchandise imports at about 2.3 billion USD and exports at about 397 million USD, air can complement sea freight when transit time or cargo security is a priority. Shippers typically use air for urgent components, pharmaceuticals and high-value consignments, while bulk petroleum-related cargo moves by sea.

Rail freight in Curaçao uses a rail connection at the medium port of Bullen Baai, which supports cargo operations alongside other key ports such as Willemstad, Caracasbaai, and Sint Michelsbaai. The merchant marine fleet counts 57 vessels, mainly other vessel types, with some general cargo and one oil tanker, linking port activity with maritime transport.

Road freight in Curaçao supports access to 4 seaports and 1 airport, including Hato International Airport (CUR). A coastline of about 364 km creates multiple coastal access points for trucking to ports and oil terminals, which number 3 across the island.

Curaçao has been a member of the World Customs Organization since 11 July 1988. The country is not a member of the WTO. Customs performance indicators sit close to the world median, with a reference LPI customs score of 2.6 against a world median of 2.7.

Shippers should expect standard document requirements such as a commercial invoice, packing list and transport document for clearance. Given exports around 397 million USD and imports around 2.3 billion USD, forwarders familiar with Curaçao’s customs procedures and main partners like the USA and the Netherlands can help manage timings and predictability around import and export processing.