The Transport Ministry assured that the Sierra Maestra facility, with its North and South docks, was ready for new operations, according to a resolution highlighted in the media this weekend.
This terminal is thus integrated into the process of recovery of international trips to Cuba, under strict health security measures to face Covid-19.
Operated by Sociedad Mercantil Cubana Aries SA, this sector of the port of Havana will develop docking services for vessels when it has idle capacities in the programming of cruises and ferries.
In addition, he will officiate unaccompanied baggage handling, motor vehicle dockside, lifting and operation of merchandise, leasing of closed or open spaces, and rental of warehouses in customs transit.
By this route, before the pandemic, many cruise passengers from the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States arrived on the island.
The international epidemiological situation and the regulations of the United States government had an unfavorable influence on the arrivals of these vessels to Cuba, although a gradual recovery is expected in the coming months.
This facility offers access to the Historic Center of the Cuban capital. The central building, inaugurated in 1914, is one of the buildings that identify the roadstead and at the time it housed the Harbor Master’s Office, the Maritime Police, and the facility’s doctors.
It also served as the headquarters of the Department of Immigration and the General Inspection of the Port. This large complex, with its three old breakwaters (San Francisco, La Machina and Santa Clara), has degree II protection, granted by the National Commission of Monuments of Cuba.
Precisely attached to the terminal, the execution of the Real Aduana hotel is progressing, which will have 55 rooms and will operate with a five-star category under the management of Habaguanex Hotels.
rgh / rfc
