Nieuw Amsterdam, a Holland America line ship, was the second cruise ship to disembark in the waters of Pedernales on Monday, April 8, 2024, with 1,935 visitors on board and 838 crew members, arriving at the new destination Cabo Rojo and its Port Cabo Rojo terminal.
Jean Luis Rodríguez, executive director of the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM), said that Port Cabo Rojo marks a milestone in the development of Pedernales, an unprecedented achievement that brings opportunities for economic growth for all Dominicans and attracts foreign investment. He also affirmed that this is just the beginning of all the good things to come for the southern region.
Likewise, the president of the Port Authority's Board of Directors, Alejandro Campos, upon receiving the cruise ship, indicated that the visit of the Nieuw Amsterdam to a pier built in 10 months with the highest quality standards, not only represents economic opportunities, but is a place where cultures and histories come together for all Dominicans.
For his part, the executive director of the General Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships (DGAPP), and of the Pro-Pedernales Trust, Sigmund Freund, highlighted that this new cruise ship arriving from Alaska is the definitive proof of Cabo Rojo's consistency as a tourist destination in the New Caribbean and of its potential to attract excursionists from all over the world.
Freund noted that the arrival of cruise ships to Port Cabo Rojo revitalizes the economy of the province and surrounding communities by boosting demand for products offered by MSMEs dedicated to crafts, food sales, transportation, and various tourist services. "And that is the objective of the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, with the execution of the Cabo Rojo Tourism Development Project: to foster prosperity in the Southern region, with tourism as its economic engine.".
The general manager or CEO of ITM Group, Mauricio Hamui, stated that the project is a reality for the development of the entire southern region of the country, generating jobs for the Enriquillo region and attractions for the enjoyment of every tourist.
“The arrival of the second cruise ship, coming from Florida, reaffirms the commitment to the development and economic activity of this region, a vision of President Luis Abinader’s administration, as it is a destination projected to receive one million cruise passengers per year. Furthermore, its infrastructure aims to improve the quality of life for people in the region and continue positioning the Dominican Republic as the most important cruise destination in the Caribbean,” he explained.
About the new cruise terminal
Port Cabo Rojo is under the supervision of the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM) and was built by the concessionary company ITM Group.
This port terminal is part of the Cabo Rojo Tourism Development Project, which is being carried out under the direction of the General Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships (DGAPP) and the Pro-Pedernales Trust.
In its first phase, Port Cabo Rojo, a sustainable port because it is free of single-use plastics, which promotes the protection of its protected areas and natural parks, consists of 400 meters of dock, plus a mooring knot, characteristics that will allow it to receive several vessels at the same time in this location.
It will also allow the anchoring of Oasis-type ships, the largest in the world, thanks to its four terminals with that capacity. It also features a 270-meter-long pier and areas for rest, shopping, and entertainment, including restaurants and bars. Future phases will include the development of a themed fair, a water park, and other amenities.
The logistics of the arrival of this cruise ship were coordinated by the central government, the Dominican Port Authority, the General Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships, the Ministry of Tourism, the Governorate of Pedernales, and other entities.
Days in Cabo Rojo
In collaboration with several institutions, including the municipalities of Pedernales, Oviedo and Juancho, cleaning operations have been carried out in Pedernales and the Oviedo Lagoon, with the aim of preserving natural resources.
Furthermore, after a training cycle provided by the Genera ITM Foundation in partnership with the National Institute of Technical and Professional Training, INFOTEP, 35 people have graduated, who are ready to provide quality services to visitors in Port Cabo Rojo.
Likewise, the guides and boatmen of the Oviedo Lagoon have received specialized training in English, focused on tourist services, to acquire the skills and offer innovative experiences to foreign visitors.
