The executive director of the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM), Jean Luis Rodríguez, participated in the recent edition of the Transport, Logistics & Free Trade Zones Summit 2024, organized by Mercado Magazine, in which he spoke about the “strategies to improve logistics connectivity in the DR” and where he highlighted the advances and vision Rodríguez, in his speech stated that, without a doubt, in recent years, the Dominican Republic has experienced a significant transformation in its logistics infrastructure, with efforts focused on improving the efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability of our ports and transportation networks.
He stressed that it is impossible to talk about logistics connectivity Not to mention ports; the country, due to its island status and geographical position in the centre of the Caribbean, is in a privileged position for the development of an optimal port system, “through which nearly 96% of everything that moves at the level of international and local trade is done by sea, thanks to the ports we have.”
The official added that, according to data from the World Bank, In 2019, the country ranked 87th out of 160 countries in the Logistics Performance Index, which demonstrated the need for urgent reforms to improve our position in the global supply chain. For this reason, knowing the reality, the Dominican Port Authority, as an executive, has led an ambitious plan to modernize the infrastructure of the country’s main ports, with significant investments together with the private sector for the expansion of terminals and improvement of port management systems. “Efforts that have allowed a more efficient flow of goods.”
He also said that priority has been given to the creation and improvement of logistics corridors that connect ports with the main production and consumption centers, such as the expansion of the Coral Highway and the construction of new access roads to the Port of Haina, reducing internal transport time by 20%, lowering costs and improving the competitiveness of our exports.
“In collaboration with the General Directorate of Customs, import and export procedures have been simplified. The implementation of the Single Window for Foreign Trade has reduced customs clearance times by 25%, positioning the Dominican Republic as a more efficient logistics hub in the region,” said Rodríguez.
The public servant emphasized the utmost importance of the construction and rehabilitation of several cruise terminals, since in 2019 we had 3 terminals and currently we have 5. In addition to this, the Samaná Bay Port terminals are in process; the transformation of Puerto Duarte in Arroyo Barril to Port Samaná, the first work under contract in the country developed through a public-private alliance that will boost tourism and commerce, generating more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs. Likewise, the enabling of the Barahona pier with APORDOM’s own funds with an investment of more than 150 million pesos.
He highlighted the importance of revitalizing the maritime connection between San Pedro de Macorís, DR, and Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, which will boost the logistical and tourist potential of both towns, with a total investment of approximately 80 million dollars.
In his experience he described that the Dominican Port Authority has a clear vision for the future, based on sustainability, innovation and regional integration.
The event was attended by personalities, representatives of the port, logistics, shipping and free trade zone sectors, as well as public officials, and presentations were made by national and international panelists, with the topics, “The Future of the Dominican Republic: Free Trade Zones as Engines of Progress; Civil Aviation in the Era of Open Skies”; Efficient Urban Mobility: Intra-Trant Strategies” and “Technology in Logistics and Transportation: Key Strategies to Boost Foreign Trade”; among others.
