DP World, one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world, has inaugurated the second stage of its Caucedo Multimodal Port in the Dominican Republic.

Phase II increases Caucedo’s overall handling capacity by 25 per cent to 1,250,000 TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) annually. The expansion consists of an additional 300 meters of deepwater berth, two new broad yield mobile cranes in addition to the existing five Post-Panamax Gantry Cranes.

In 2009 Caucedo increased its volume by 23 per cent, and according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America, it was the fastest growing port in the region. In 2010, the terminal handled more than 1,300 cargo ships and exceeded 1,000,000 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent container units).

“The completion of the second phase of our development of the port will further strengthen its contribution to the local and regional economy,” stated Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, chairman, DP World.

DP World Caucedo is located 25km from Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, and next to the international airport and recently developed free zones and logistics centres.

DP World Caucedo holds a number of security accreditations, it was the first terminal to be certified ISPS; it is a member of the US Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), a voluntary program that increases the security and efficiency of global supply chain operations through active collaboration with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), shipping lines and end-customers.  It also participates in the Megaports and US Container Security Initiative (CSI), which sees US Customs officials stationed at the port.-TradeArabia News Service