The Ministry of Public Works is looking to contract the rehabilitation and expansion of Manzanillo Port in the municipality of Pepillo Salcedo, Montecristi. The Interamerican Development Bank is making available US$100 million for the project that seeks to improve competitiveness and socioeconomic growth in the northwestern region of the Dominican Republic by modernizing port logistics and infrastructure.
The project calls for the construction of a modern logistics terminal with a platform parallel to the bay coastline. A new and modern breakwater and improvements to the access roads to the port are to ensure adequate connectivity and accessibility for producers and businesses in the area.
BNAmericas reports that the prequalification stage for potential candidates to bid on the port project is open. Interested parties may submit applications in person to the Ministry of Public Works until 3 May 2022. The tender is open until 20 May.
The Ministry of Public Works is in charge of the works planning and execution, and the maintenance of the road and port infrastructure. The Dominican Port Authority (Apordom) will manage the new logistics terminal and implement port policies conducive to private sector investments in strategic areas to promote the development of the country’s northwestern region.
The Port of Manzanillo is the Dominican port closest to the United States. The project will improve conditions at the already existing port to enable the berthing of larger vessels and handling of containerized cargo. At present, the port mostly serves banana shipments. Efforts will be made to then promote new agroindustrial sector exports and those of the free zone manufacturing companies in Santiago and nearby provinces.
The executive director of the Dominican Port Authority (Apordom), Jean Luis Rodríguez says: “We already have companies willing to invest in shipyards, free zones and power generation plants.”
Rodriguez explained that the development of the port of Manzanillo will be an economic boost to the sector, with thousands of direct and indirect jobs being created. He stresses the plans are to create a new model of port administration that can be replicated in other government-operated ports.
The port of Manzanillo dates back to the 50s. Today it has 227.70 linea meters of docks, a berthing depth of 36, 30 and 25 feet and its operations are based on the export of refrigerated containers for bananas and small fruits. It is also used for general cargo and loose cargo (clinker and coal). It is the country’s deepest port.
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11 April 2022