Public Works, APORDOM and the IDB supervised the works, whose infrastructure seeks to expand the loading and unloading capacity of goods and containers
SANTO DOMINGO.- Construction of the new terminal at the Port of Manzanillo, in Montecristi, is 63.7% complete overall, while work on the dock is 35% complete, according to authorities during a supervisory tour led by the Minister of Public Works and Communications, Eduardo Estrella, and the executive director of the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM), Alejandro Campos.
The project is intended to strengthen the logistical and commercial capacity of the northwest region and the country, through an infrastructure that will allow the expansion of loading and unloading operations for general goods and containers.
Dock work is progressing according to schedule
Engineer Manuel Jiménez Cuenca, responsible for the supervision and execution of the contract on behalf of the Ministry of Public Works, explained that the project is being developed under a FIDIC design and construction contract, a modality that establishes that the contractor must prepare and submit the designs for approval before carrying out the corresponding work.
He also explained that the port infrastructure consists of three main components: the abutment or rockfill area, the access walkway, which functions as a bridge over the sea, and the dock.
He stated that the structure of the latter is built using circular metal piles driven into the ground, protected with concrete casings or sleeves to prevent corrosion and contribute to its durability.
The pier has 29 axes, and at the time of the inspection, the pile driving work had reached axis 14, with five transverse piles per row. During the visit, one of the piles corresponding to that section was installed.
They will install around 1,200 prefabricated pieces
As part of the construction process, the project includes the placement of prefabricated concrete elements that are installed after the pile driving is completed.
Jiménez Cuenca indicated that approximately 1,200 of these pieces are expected to be used, and their manufacture was scheduled to be completed by the end of November. He also noted that the pile driving work is expected to be finished by the end of January.
The engineer stated that technical difficulties had arisen during construction related to the terrain and the required length of some piles. However, he assured that these issues had been addressed through the construction procedures and supervision mechanisms stipulated in the contract.
When assessing the progress of the work, he stated that the work is on schedule and affirmed: "We are on time, we are meeting the objectives and we are all happy with the progress of the work.".
Terminal will expand port operations
Jiménez Cuenca highlighted that the new infrastructure will allow the movement of significant volumes of general merchandise and containers, which will contribute to increasing the port's operational capacity and strengthening commercial and logistical activities.
He also explained that the facility will be equipped to carry out container loading and unloading operations and will have security systems and measures in accordance with modern port infrastructure standards.
For his part, Minister Eduardo Estrella stressed the importance of maintaining constant supervision to ensure that the work is carried out in accordance with the established standards and technical specifications.
Meanwhile, Alejandro Campos stated that the tour is part of the inter-institutional monitoring of a project considered strategic for strengthening port operations in Manzanillo and the logistical development of the Dominican Republic.
Authorities and technicians participated in the tour
During the visit, the authorities were accompanied by the mayor of Pepillo Salcedo (Manzanillo), Enelcido Guaro Metz Metz, and representatives of the technical team in charge of the project.
Participants included Benoit Lefevre, representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); Jan Roque, project coordinator for the Ministry of Public Works; Julio César Pourier, director of the Executing Unit for Projects Financed with External Resources (UEPFRE); Manuel Jiménez Cuenca, responsible for contract supervision; and Emilio González, coordinator of Soletanche Bachy Colombia, the contracting company.
Other municipal and provincial authorities involved in the monitoring and development of this port infrastructure also participated.
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