DP World Announces Start of Air Cargo Hub Operations in Punta Cana

DP World, a global leader in end-to-end supply chain solutions, announces its first export operations at its new air cargo logistics hub in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The new facility, which was announced earlier this year, enhances the Dominican Republic’s position as the largest trade and logistics center in the Caribbean.

The Punta Cana Air Cargo Hub was created through a joint effort between DP World and the Punta Cana Free Trade Zone (PCFTZ), a subsidiary of prominent Dominican business group Grupo Puntacana. The hub marks another milestone in DP World’s growth strategy for the country, which aims to position the Dominican Republic as a leading player in global trade and logistics.

The hub boasts an air cargo terminal, logistics center, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, a fuel supply terminal, and a maintenance and repair workshop for aircraft, and a general service building. These additions expand upon the existing export warehouse, in-transit warehouse, and import warehouse. Its integration with the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) enables multimodal air, land and sea capabilities.

“The beginning of the early-stage operations in this advanced air cargo logistics center significantly broadens the range of services we can offer to our growing list of customers. This hub is poised to position the Dominican Republic prominently on the global stage as a key player in air cargo for a wide variety of products from across the region,” said Morten Johansen, chief operating officer of DP World Americas.

In its first operational stage, the hub is actively receiving cargo via land transport across the country, then shipping it via air through the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ).

DP World is currently transitioning operations to the new facilities; by the end of this year, all air cargo operations in and out of will be centralized through this hub. Plans to expand into sea-air operations are in discussion several South American countries, including Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Chile.

At present, 60-70% of the cargo consists of perishables, primarily fruits and vegetables. The hub also handles a variety of other commodities, including machinery, automotive equipment, and seafood, and specializes in the expedited shipment of goods. Plans are to eventually diversify into the pharmaceutical, technology and ecommerce sectors.

Further capacity expansions are underway, with the logistic center warehouse and manufacturing facilities currently under construction and projected to be operational by the second half of 2024. The maintenance and repair workshop has commenced civil work and is on a two-year timeline to begin operations.

DP World’s ongoing investment in expanding port development in the Dominican Republic recently earned it the 2023 AAPA-CIP Port Industry Award of Excellence. The award recognizes the company’s significant economic and social contributions; the hub currently supports up to 100 private and public sector employees; a number is expected to grow significantly as the hub continues to grow and expand.

“Our aim is to forge partnerships that boost national and regional connectivity. The greater the connectivity, through both air and sea routes, the more appealing our country becomes as a hub for manufacturing and logistics for companies in the Americas and beyond,” Johansen said.

DP World began operations in the Dominican Republic in 2003 at its port facility at the Punta Caucedo peninsula. The air cargo logistics hub will be officially recognized with an inauguration ceremony planned for Q1 next year.

Source: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231130294528/en