President Luis Abinader announced in Samana advances on the construction of the Samana Port, the US$68 million joint venture of the Dominican government and the Mexican cruise terminal company, ITM Group. ITM Group has built and operates the Puerto Plata city Taino Bay and the beach port in Cabo Rojo, Pedernales on the southwest coast.
Mauricio Hamui, CEO of ITM Group, the company leading the project, expressed his honor in participating in Samaná’s sustainable transformation. “The arrival of major cruise lines will bring new economic opportunities and dynamism to the region,” he said.
The new port is constructed on the south side of the Samana peninsula, a 10 km drive west from Samana City, at the site of the old Duarte Port in Arroyo Barril. It will have capacity for two Oasis class cruise ships.
The Oasis Class ships are a class of large cruise ships operated by Royal Caribbean, known for their innovative design and extensive amenities. They are the largest cruise ships in the world, offering a range of activities, dining options, and entertainment on board.
The new terminal will feature a commercial plaza, water park, dining area, artisan market, cultural spaces, and docking facilities capable of accommodating two ships simultaneously. The ITM model makes the stop at the destination attractive both for those who take excursions as well as for those who enjoy the facilities of the port itself.
The Samana Port seeks to establish Samaná as a prominent cruise destination in the Caribbean, benefiting both the province and neighboring communities. The cruise ship terminal will be the second to operate in Samana. Private investors are advanced in the construction of Samana Bayport, located adjacent to the Samana Bay boardwalk area in Samana city.
So far, cruise ships docked in the waters of the bay, and tourists would arrive by small boat to take the multiple ecotouristic excursions in the Samana peninsula.
Tourism Minister David Collado highlighted the project’s potential to diversify the country’s tourism offerings and strengthen its brand. “We are creating conditions for sustainable tourism development,” he stated, emphasizing the goal of encouraging visitors to explore beyond the terminal and engage with the surrounding community. “That is the essence of sustainable tourism: when its benefits reach every corner of the community.”
Jean Luis Rodríguez, executive director of the Dominican Port Authority, also underscored the project’s significance as a key driver of economic and tourist growth for the region. He also noted that this public-private partnership symbolizes the government’s commitment to territorial equity, job creation, and national development.
Andrés Lugo, executive director of the Public-Private Partnerships Agency (DGAPP), highlighted the project’s pioneering nature as the first infrastructure initiative of its kind under this model in the Dominican Republic.
This transformation is expected to elevate Samaná’s position within the Caribbean tourism market, creating over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs and boosting local commerce.
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Diario Libre
3 June 2025