The cargo ship, with an availability of approximately 50 tons, will operate the Toronto – Mexico – Ecuador – Punta Cana route on a weekly basis.
PUNTA CANA, LA ALTAGRACIA PROVINCE. – DP World Dominicana and Punta Cana Free Trade Zone, a company of the Puntacana Group, received the first cargo flight, thus initiating air operations at the Punta Cana Air Cargo Hub, a multimodal platform for handling air, land and sea cargo, which has been operational since October 2023.
The cargo plane, an Air Canada Cargo Boeing 767F, with an availability of approximately 50 tons for the movement of fruits, vegetables and medical devices, will operate the Toronto – Mexico – Ecuador – Punta Cana route, with weekly frequency.
In 2022, both institutions signed a strategic alliance for the development of the logistics center, which will benefit from DP World's extensive experience and world-class standards for handling logistics operations and multimodal cargo, as well as the high connectivity of Punta Cana Airport (PUJ), representing the international leadership of both companies in the logistics and airport sectors, respectively, according to a press release from Grupo Puntacana.
In its initial operational phase, the hub received cargo via ground transportation from across the country, which was then shipped by air through the PUJ (Puerto Rico International Airport). Currently, between 60 and 70% of the cargo consists of perishable goods, primarily fruits and vegetables. The center also handles machinery, automotive equipment, and seafood, and specializes in the expedited shipment of other goods, with plans to diversify into the pharmaceutical, technology, and e-commerce sectors.
“The arrival of this cargo plane and the start of air operations at this logistics center significantly contribute to our goal of increasing the country’s competitiveness and connectivity, aligned with the State’s objective of making the nation the most important logistics hub in the Americas,” said Manuel Martínez, CEO of DP World Dominicana.
Martinez said that thanks to the operational proximity to the cargo terminal at Punta Cana Airport and the large capacity of the logistics center's facilities, cost-effective solutions are offered to customers with cargo from Latin America destined for North America, Europe and the Middle East.
Frank Elías Rainieri, president and CEO of Grupo Puntacana, added that “this is a very important milestone for the logistics center, with which we continue to strengthen our synergy and strategic alliance with DP World Dominicana and Air Canada Cargo to boost the economic and social progress of the Dominican Republic.”.
About PCFTZ
With an approximate investment of USD$200 million, the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone will house cargo logistics operations and offices for the development of the Punta Cana Hub intended for the innovation and development of Fintech companies, also including an experienced company dedicated to aircraft maintenance and repair (MRO).
The project will contribute to the sustained economic growth of the area, creating more than 10,000 jobs and positioning Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic as one of the leaders in trade and foreign investment internationally.
PCFTZ will include a 546,617.45 m² building site, with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and warehouses for the logistics center and air cargo terminal operations. This will create the ideal platform for handling import, export, and transshipment cargo for local and regional distribution.
In addition, the air cargo terminal will have up to 75,000 m² of construction and a total area of 265,518 m². The internal refrigerated warehouse will have up to 4,360 m² of construction.
About DP World
Trade is a vital part of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make global trade flow more smoothly, changing what is possible for the customers and communities we serve worldwide.
With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 103,000 employees spread across 75 countries on six continents, DP World is driving trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that is ready for the future.
"We are rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses—Ports and Terminals, Maritime Services, Logistics, and Technology—and combining our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient, end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades. We make trade flow, to change what's possible for everyone.".
