Business View Caribbean | August 2022

48 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 9, ISSUE 8 is also facing its own reckoning. As Elens reports, “Historically, we have represented most of the major shipping lines in the world, and they were quite a number. However, over the recent years, a lot of consolidation has happened, as bigger companies like FedEx and Maersk buy up the smaller shippers. Because these large companies have their own offices and agents, our business is shifting towards more tailored services.” Two examples of this shift are a recent $500 million project on Curacao to build a hospital, and the development of a Sandals resort. In both instances, S.E.L. Maduro and Sons provided transport and logistics services. “Our reputation has been a major asset in such projects because these large companies from overseas want to work with a reputable company on the islands, and we happen to be one of the most reputable ones here,” Elens affirms. The exit of PDVSA, the refinery’s operator, and subsequent post-pandemic economic shocks hit the ABC Islands hard but being part of the Dutch Kingdom provided a soft landing. According to Elens, “At the height of COVID, all tourist arrivals ceased, and overnight, 18,000 tourism sector workers were out of a job. Fortunately, the islands got a stimulus package from the Netherlands, which provided social security and healthcare support for most people without work.” The ABC islands are now pulling out of these economic doldrums as cruise lines return and tourists start trickling back. For Elens, a lot is returning to normalcy, and he sees the countries rebounding quickly, especially when the tourism high season kicks in. Buoyed by this optimism in the islands’ economic prospects, S.E.L. Maduro and Sons is also predicting robust growth as shipping schedules and tourism numbers return to pre-pandemic levels. “One area I am particularly focused on is the greening of the islands because this will truly transform how they operate and attract even more tourists,” says Elens. “Since it is sunny almost all year round, we have a good opportunity to turn the islands into a model solar-powered economy, an ideal destination for tourists looking for more environmentally responsible destinations.” PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Captain Don’s Habitat www.habitatbonaire.com