New ferry deal slashes travel costs for Saba and Sint Eustatius residents
Residents of Saba and Sint Eustatius will soon pay less for ferry travel, thanks to a new agreement that cuts round-trip fares by up to $21. The deal aims to boost affordability and regional connectivity, though fuel costs remain a concern.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Parties Involved | Openbaar Lichaam Saba, Openbaar Lichaam Sint Eustatius, Makana Ferry Service |
| Effective Date | April 15, 2026 |
| New Round-Trip Fares | Saba to St. Maarten: $134 (was $155), Statia to St. Maarten: $140 (was $158) |
| Current Challenges | Fuel prices, global supply issues, and conflicts may impact fuel surcharges |
| Signatories | Shamara Nicholson, Bram Streppel, Bruce Zagers, Rechelline Leerdam, et al. |
The Openbaar Lichaam Saba and Openbaar Lichaam Sint Eustatius are local government bodies responsible for public administration and infrastructure in their respective islands. This agreement reflects their role in addressing transportation challenges to improve economic and social well-being.
Read the full translated article below
Saba, Sint Eustatius en Makana Ferry tekenen PSO voor betere regionale verbinding
On March 30, 2026, Openbaar Lichaam Saba and Openbaar Lichaam Sint Eustatius signed a Public Service Obligation (PSO) agreement with Makana Ferry Service, marking an important step toward improving reliable and affordable connections between the islands.
This agreement reflects the continued collaboration between Saba and Sint Eustatius in addressing shared transportation challenges. Reliable ferry service plays an important role in supporting economic activity, improving access to essential services, and strengthening regional connections.
A key component of the agreement is the reduction in fare prices to improve affordability. The revised fare structure is intended to reduce the cost of travel for residents and tourists while maintaining sustainable ferry service. These new rates will go into effect on April 15, 2026, with routes seeing a decrease in cost. For example, a round-trip ticket from Saba to St. Maarten or Statia to St. Maarten is currently priced at $155 and $158 respectively. With this new PSO, the costs will drop to $134 for Saba and $140 for Statia. However, fuel prices, global supply and ongoing conflicts are being monitored as they can potentially affect costs of the fuel surcharge.
Representatives present at the signing included Acting Island Governor Shamara Nicholson, Island Secretary Bram Streppel, Commissioner Bruce Zagers, Commissioner Rechelline Leerdam (of Openbaar Lichaam Sint Eustatius), and Alvaro Connor and Samuel Connor of Makana Ferry Services.
“Affordable and reliable connectivity is not a luxury, but a necessity for our islands,” shared Commissioner Zagers. “The signing of this PSO is a meaningful first step toward more stable and affordable sea transportation. However, a short-term agreement alone is not sufficient. We must continue to work toward securing structural funding for both sea and air connectivity to ensure equal opportunities, strengthen our economies, and support the wellbeing of our communities. I would like to thank the Ministry of BZK for their commitment, as well as everyone who worked diligently to make this agreement possible.”
“I’m proud we’ve reached this milestone toward signing the PSO,” said Commissioner Leerdam. "We are working together as islands to explore options for a more sustainable approach, one we can maintain over the long term, so that sea connectivity remains a right for residents and not a luxury. We have listened to concerns raised by users and addressed key issues through this PSO. I would like to thank the Ministry, the Commissioner of Saba, our civil servants, and Blues and Blues for the constructive discussions and continued cooperation in bringing this effort to this stage.”
Samuel Connor of Makana Ferry Services also stated, “We are looking forward to this continued partnership, and to further strengthening connections across the islands.”
For more information on the revised rates, visit Makana Ferry or page.