DP World Signs $760M Deal to Expand Dominican Republic Port, Free Trade Zone

Dubai-based DP World has committed a $760 million investment to expand the Port of Caucedo and its Free Trade Zone in the Dominican Republic, aiming to transform it into the Caribbean's most advanced logistics hub. The expansion will increase the port's container handling capacity from 2.5 million to approximately 3.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) and add 225 hectares of development-ready land to the Free Trade Zone. This project is expected to attract $3.9 billion in foreign direct investment, generate thousands of jobs, and bolster the Dominican Republic's position as a key nearshoring and global trade destination due to its proximity to U.S. markets and favorable tax incentives. The investment will be split evenly between port infrastructure improvements—such as expanded quay and breakwater, new cranes, and enhanced automation—and Free Trade Zone developments including roads, utilities, and commercial centers. DP World has operated in the Dominican Republic for over 25 years and has previously raised the port's capacity significantly, underscoring its long-term commitment to enhancing the country's competitiveness and connectivity. The expansion is also expected to strengthen supply chain resilience across the Americas and drive economic growth and manufacturing output in the region.