KRALENDIJK – The transfer of the former Bonaire Oil Petroleum Corporation (BOPEC) site to Curoil Bonaire Terminals N.V. was officially completed on Thursday. The handover of the long-term lease also marks the start of an extensive cleanup of the heavily contaminated site, addressing one of Bonaire’s major environmental challenges.
The cleanup will be coordinated by the newly established BOPEC Parcels Remediation Foundation, based on a plan approved by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). More than €22 million, including a risk reserve, has been allocated from the BOPEC bankruptcy estate to fund the project, ensuring that the costs do not fall on future generations or Bonairean taxpayers.
According to the Executive Council, the transfer marks an important step in the island’s environmental policy, while also providing an economic boost. The restart of the terminal, under Curoil’s management, is expected to strengthen Bonaire’s fuel and energy security and create new employment opportunities, particularly in Rincon.
Curoil has stated that it intends to rehire most of the former BOPEC employees. It has also been agreed that outstanding claims of former workers, including unpaid wages, will be settled before the end of the year.
Redevelopment
Following months of coordination between the Executive Council, the executor and Curoil, the official transfer paves the way for redevelopment that combines both economic and environmental goals.
