THE BOTTOM – Construction of the new Black Rocks harbor on Saba is making significant progress and has reached a visible implementation phase. The development of the harbor, which must withstand hurricanes and other extreme weather conditions, is therefore no longer a plan on paper but literally under construction.
On November 18, 2025, a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony took place, attended by Commissioner Bruce Zagers along with representatives from main contractor Ballast Nedam International Projects and local stakeholders.
The project is designed with future-proof and hurricane-resistant elements. The harbor’s breakwaters will be almost twice as large as existing facilities, which is crucial for protecting the harbor against severe sea conditions.
Price Tag
The project carries a substantial price tag. The total investment is currently estimated at over fifty million euros. A significant portion of the funding comes from the Dutch government.
Previously, approximately fifteen million euros had already been allocated for preparation and hurricane damage recovery. During the tender process, this amount proved insufficient, after which The Hague released additional funds, including an extra contribution of approximately forty million euros.
This makes the Black Rocks harbor one of the largest infrastructure projects Saba has ever undertaken.
Temporary Work Camp
In recent months, the area around the future harbor in Giles Quarter has been transformed. A temporary work camp with sleeping, office, and recreational facilities has been established for up to approximately 125 workers who are coming to Saba on temporary permits.
These facilities are part of extensive preparation for construction activities, including the planned dredging work that will begin in December.
Future-Oriented
The contract with Ballast Nedam was signed in October 2024, and since then, design, modeling, and testing have been intensively carried out to ensure the harbor meets international standards and local expectations. According to the Saban government, this process has explicitly involved collaboration with fishermen, yacht owners, and environmental organizations to achieve a future-oriented design.
The expectation is that the Black Rocks harbor can be operational by December 2026. With the new harbor, Saba aims to strengthen its position as a tourist destination, boost the local economy, and improve the island’s safety and accessibility, even during extreme weather situations such as hurricanes.
