Samaná to bring an additional 300,000 cruise passengers into the Dominican Republic
2024, March 8: Work is now in full swing as the Dominican Republic moves to create the newest cruise destination port in the Caribbean.
Shovel-in-ground work to convert Puerto Duarte de Arroyo Barril into a modern cruise terminal began on Monday (2024, March 4), with a symbolic ground breaking ceremony involving representatives of public and private sectors.
![](https://portsidecaribbean.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Samana-dreamstime_m_306697642-283x300.jpg)
Also known as Samaná, this bay on the northeast of the Dominican Republic is expected to receive an additional 300,000 cruise passengers, with an annual growth rate of 25% predicted. All being well, Samana will be receiving cruise ships by the end of 2025.
PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
The development is the product of a public-private partnership (P-PP) involving the Dominican Port Authority and PDAB Port Investments Sociedad Gestora S.A., which will deliver the job. This is the first such P-PI in the DomRep and it starts with an investment of US$68 million. The work will involve rehabilitation and new construction to facilitate arrival and husbanding of Oasis-class cruiseships, with terminal capacity to receive and manage four ships at a time.
![](https://portsidecaribbean.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Samana-dreamstime_m_244060930-1024x620.jpg)
Samaná port has been receiving loose general cargo, oversized cargo, cement and various tourist vessels since 1977. []
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