Dear Editor,
As a frequent visitor of Sint Maarten and having friends and family on the Island it hurt seeing all the devastation Irma caused. But knowing Sint Maarten’s history, it will rise up again and be stronger and better than ever.
In 2000 I was as a CFO of the Curacao Ports Services NV approached by the financial team of your Port regarding all the cruise lines’ tariffs and special conditions. We provided them with all the necessary information and saw the Port develop in all its facets, something the Island can be proud of.
Seeing the devastation I wondered how SXM can make a vital part of the Island, the Port, more secure against hurricanes that will continue to come. By having a more secure port you can speed up the recovery work in the future.
With the rising water level and damage to the port each time a hurricane passes closely, your Island may want to consider the follow for the Port:
1) The Hill behind the port, Pointe Blanche, why not bring it down and create your own second Sint Maarten Vlakte (like the Maasvlakte 2 in Rotterdam),
2a) Does the Hill provide enough material so you create a peninsula in the sea that will protect the harbor, maybe even a great part of Great Bay?
2b) Does the Hill provide enough material to create new land in the sea that is higher than sea level and can create future expansion of the port as a regional hub?
3) If you can bring down the Pointe Blanche Hill making it flatter with several flat levels, will you be able to create prime real estate land for housing, close to the city, and can the increase in value of the land even help you to finance a new safe peninsula for the Port?
Now with the rebuilding of your country this is the time to look into new possibilities for the Port and see if you can involve the Netherlands (experience with water works) and the shipping lines in such project, just as you did with the cruise lines. You have shown before that you can bring parties together to create something great.
I wish you lots of success in rebuilding Sint Maarten and hope to return to your Island soon. God bless your Island and its people.
Paul Torres
