Dubai’s DP World Invests $760m in Free Trade Zone Expansion in the Dominican Republic

Dubai-based DP World, a major international logistics company, has announced the launch of a Free Trade Zone in the Dominican Republic. The company plans to invest $760 million to expand capacity at the Port of Caucedo from 2.5 million TEUs to 3.1 million TEUs. The Free Trade Zone will cover 225 hectares of previously undeveloped land.

The expansion project aims to attract $3.9 billion in foreign direct investment to position the Dominican Republic as a regional nearshoring and trade hub in the Americas.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO of DP World, expressed optimism about the project, stating, “By boosting capacity and enabling nearshoring opportunities, we will transform Caucedo into the most advanced logistics hub in the Caribbean, strengthening supply chain resilience and driving economic growth and job creation in the Dominican Republic.”

The Port of Caucedo, located around 1,100 nautical miles from Miami, will see significant improvements to accommodate larger vessels and enhance its role as a vital transshipment and logistics hub in the region.

Morten Johansen, Chief Operating Officer of DP World Americas, highlighted the Dominican Republic’s strategic advantages, such as proximity to U.S. markets, duty-free access, competitive costs, and robust tax incentives, making it an attractive destination for manufacturers and logistics providers.