The executive director of the Dominican Port Authority (Apordom), Jean Luis Rodríguezstated that the public-private partnership model has been key to the development and modernization of the country’s ports, by allowing the attraction of significant investments without the use of direct state funds.
“In commercial ports, the private sector perform the investment and the State receives the benefits without having to seek those funds, generally under a scheme of 60% for the private sector and 40% for the State,” Rodríguez explained, referring to the operation of port concessions.
As an example, he cited the port of Caucedowhere investments of more than 700 million dollars are projected in the coming years. “We are talking about a successful modelwhere the State, without doing the investmentreceives the benefits of the growth of these operations,” he said.
Tourist ports
As for the tourist portsthe head of Apordom highlighted the efforts to guarantee a quality experience to the cruise passengers who visit the country.
“In the Dominican Republic they are receive with affectionwith animation and amenities, and each port has its own team to ensure a positive experience,” he indicated, noting that the cultural offer premises “can always be expanded.
Regarding the coexistence between cargo operations and cruise ships, Rodríguez pointed out that this has been one of the main challenges of port management, overcome through a operational planning efficient.
“What was thought impossible today is a reality: we can unload cargo ships at the same time they disembark cruise passengersthanks to a good coordination and synchronization of operations,” he stated.
When interviewed in a broadcast of the El Sol radio program in the morning from Taíno Bay portin Puerto Plata, explained that to protect the visitor experience and the environment, operations that generate dust or noise are temporarily relocated, and dredging and bathymetry permanent.
“Cruise operations are very delicate and require always guaranteeing the depth and security of the docks,” he pointed out. “We are showing that it is possible to combine port development, tourism and cargowithout affecting the competitiveness or the image of the country,” said the official.
The Dominican Republic demonstrated its operational efficiency this Wednesday with the simultaneous docking of four deep-draft vessels in Puerto Plata. Jean Luis Rodríguez accompanied the directors of Taíno Bay at the reception of the NCL Aqua and the Celebrity Beyond, while the Star Princess and the Carnival Mardi Gras docked in Amber Cove.
The day, complemented by the arrival of MSC Cruises to La Romana, highlighted the competitiveness of Dominican ports and the quality of service to visitors, factors that position the country as a regional benchmark in port and tourism matters.
