Aruba is an island territory of the Netherlands located in the southern Caribbean Sea. Its maritime transportation system consists of three main ports with differentiated positioning: Port of Oranjestad, Barcadera Multi-Cargo Terminal and Port of Sint Nicolaas.

Port of Oranjestad is situated in the capital city. It functions as a comprehensive harbour. Apart from cruise ship operations, the port accepts general cargo, ship provisions and small coastal feeder vessels. After the relocation of container businesses, it no longer serves as the main container terminal. Breakbulk imports and local supply shipments constitute its primary cargo volume.

Barcadera Multi-Cargo Terminal is Aruba’s principal freight and container port. It is equipped with deep-water berths, container handling machinery, container storage yards and reefer power facilities. The terminal processes full containers, ro-ro cargo, project cargo and bulk goods. It also runs a free trade zone to facilitate transshipment activities. Nearly all international containerized cargo to Aruba is discharged at Barcadera via regional feeder services.

Port of Sint Nicolaas was constructed to support local petroleum refining industry. Historically, it received crude oil tankers and exported refined oil products. Currently, the port mainly handles liquid bulk carriers and industrial bulk shipments. Regular container liner services are not available here.

Most ocean cargo transported to Aruba requires transshipment at overseas hub ports before being delivered by feeder vessels. Geographically, Aruba is outside the primary hurricane belt, which helps maintain stable port operation schedules all year round.