Paardenbaai

Paardenbaai (English: Bay of Horses) or Port of Oranjestad is the main seaport for passengers in Aruba. It is located in Oranjestad and has existed since 1796.[1]

Paardenbaai
Aerial view of Paardenbaai (2004)
Click on the map for a fullscreen view
Location
CountryAruba
LocationOranjestad, Aruba
Coordinates12.51980°N 70.04225°W / 12.51980; -70.04225
Details
Opened1796[1]
Operated byAruba Ports Authority[2]
No. of berths5[2]

History

In 1796, Fort Zoutman was constructed near Paardenbaai. It was a natural bay which was accessible to large ships. It was the second harbour on Aruba after Commandeurs Baai (Commander's Bay) in Savaneta.[3] The bay later became known as Paardenbaai (Bay of Horses) because the harbour was mainly used to ship horses to Jamaica and other places. The village near the harbour had no name and was often referred to as Paardenbaai. In 1820, it was named Oranjestad.[4]

In the 1920s, a part of the harbour was reclaimed to extend the city of Oranjestad.[5] With this, the harbour is now partially located in Taratata.[6][7] In 1928, Arend Petroleum Maatschappij, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, opened an oil refinery near the harbour.[8] A wharf at the Taratata was used for the refinery,[9][10] but turned out to be too small, therefore, a 420 metre long pier was constructed near Druif Beach. 8 kilometres of railway lines were laid to link the facilities. On February 16, 1942 there was also a World War II Attack on Aruba at this location. In 1953, Paardenbaai was expanded again with two large basins[11] and completely used the Taratata grounds. The refinery closed in 1958. In 1974, the pier and the refinery were demolished and replaced by a tourist resort with a large beach. Eagle Beach is nowadays one of the busiest beaches of the island.[12]

The harbour was large enough, however it used to be shared by cargo and cruise ships which often caused problems.[13] It was decided to move cargo to Barcadera. The first priority was to move the container terminal. Work began in 2011, and the move was completed in 2015.[14] In 2016, Barcadera was officially opened, and Paardenbaai became a harbour for passengers only.[13]

Paardenbaai has five berths and is open all day and night.[2] The tram of Oranjestad has a terminal at Port of Call which is located near the harbour.[15]

References
  1. Benjamins & Snelleman 1917, p. 428.
  2. "Oranjestad". Aruba Ports. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  3. "Naar een duurzame inrichting van Aruba" (in Dutch). Ministerie Ruimtelijke Onderwikkeling, Infrastructuur en Milieu. 2019. p. 10. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  4. Benjamins & Snelleman 1917, p. 59.
  5. "Paardenbaai". Amigoe di Curacao via Delpher.nl (in Dutch). 10 December 1921. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  6. "Taratata map (historic)". Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  7. "Taratata map (updated)". Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  8. "Lago and Eagle: the oil industry on Aruba". Historia di Aruba. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  9. "Flash chamber at Taratata". Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  10. "Fractionator at Taratata". Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  11. "Aerial View Paardenbaai & Taratata". Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  12. "The Railways of Aruba, 2014". International Steam. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  13. "Nieuwe haven Barcadera op Aruba officieel in gebruik genomen". Navingo Career (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  14. "Container Port Moves to Barcadera". Aruba Ports. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  15. "Oranjestad Aruba". Tramz. Retrieved 2 May 2021.

Bibliography
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