DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Caudeco expands its container handling capacity
Operating the Caribbean’s newest container terminal I
N THE LATE 1990s continued growth in the national economy of the Dominican Republic created an urgent need to expand the port system near the capital, Santo Domingo.
the Caucedo peninsula. In February 2005 Dubai Ports International (DPI) announced formally what had been in public discussion since December 2004. It had completed
Plans to expand in the near future include another US$70 million in investment Existing cargo handling facilities on the south coast were unable to cope with the growing economy of the nation. In 2000 CSX World Terminals came together with the Caucedo Development Corporation in a $200 million plan for a new container terminal. The joint venture set up a local company, Zona Franca Multi Modal SA, to build the terminal. CSX World Terminals was responsible for development, marketing and management of ongoing port operations. Construction of the new terminal began in 2001 on a greenfield site on
acquisition of CSX World Terminals, the international terminal business of CSX Corporation. Caucedo was an operating container terminal and already working numerous containerships. Glen Hilton, executive director of DP World Caucedo, told Caribbean Maritime: “With an estimated initial investment of US$300 million, we commenced operations and received our first vessel on December 4, 2003. We are now receiving vessels for 16 different shipping lines. Plans to expand in the near future include another US$70 million in investments, building additional berths and container
yards and building the Caucedo Logistics Centre. This mega terminal complex will allow for direct access to the expanded container terminal, a first-class cargo logistics centre and the Las Americas International Airport. This will provide logistics services unparalleled in the Dominican Republic.” According to Mr Hilton, DP World Caucedo has “a very strategic and privileged location” between one of the country’s most important international airports and a successful free zone area. The port is only five minutes’ drive from Santo Domingo’s international airport and just across the highway from the Santo Domingo Cyberpark, a free zone facility with mostly high-tech industries.
Safety Personal safety and a clean environment are given priority in the port’s management and operations philosophy. “DP World Caucedo is committed to providing a safe and healthy >
CARIBBEAN MARITIME I OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2007
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