Dominican Republic consolidates as a regional logistics hub during REPICA 2026
President Luis Abinader reaffirmed that the strengthening of port infrastructure is a strategic pillar for the economic growth of the Dominican Republic. During the inauguration of the XLVIII Port Meeting of the Central American Isthmus (REPICA 2026), the president highlighted that logistical efficiency and public-private partnerships are the engines that will allow the country to position itself as the main maritime operations hub in the Caribbean and Central America.
The head of state underscored the importance of the works currently underway, such as the port of Pedernales, the expansion of La Romana, the commissioning of Port Samaná, and the significant progress at the Manzanillo terminal, projects that seek to increase national competitiveness.
Without proper ports, without efficient logistics, without government support and the public-private partnership we have implemented, there is no economic development.
Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic
Growth in cruises and job creation
Alejandro Campos, executive director of the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM), highlighted the achievements reached under the current administration. He compared the results of 2018, when the country had only three cruise terminals and received one million visitors, with the current reality, which records six operational ports and the arrival of three million maritime tourists.
The impact of this modernization translates into tangible benefits for the population, with a Master Plan that projects the creation of more than 10,000 jobs. The effects are already visible in areas such as:
- Cabo Rojo (Pedernales): More than 300 direct jobs and nearly 1,000 indirect jobs generated to date.
- Arroyo Barril (Samaná): It is estimated that between 1,000 and 1,500 direct jobs will be created following its transformation.
In addition to operational capacity, President Abinader emphasized that this entire expansion strategy is aligned with strict environmental protection policies and the preservation of the Dominican coastlines.
REPICA 2026: A forum for regional integration
The 2026 edition of this regional meeting, which runs until September 11, has become the ideal setting to discuss innovation, sustainability, and modernization in port management. The event, organized by the Central American Commission on Maritime Transport (COCATRAM) and APORDOM, features the participation of delegations from Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.
The central objective of the forum is to strengthen ties between port authorities and the private sector to ensure logistical connectivity that boosts the comprehensive development of the entire isthmus and the Caribbean.
