DP World, a global leader in comprehensive supply chain solutions, announces its first export operations at its new air cargo logistics center in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The new facility, which was announced earlier this year, enhances the Dominican Republic’s position as the largest commercial and logistics hub 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 the prominent Dominican business group Grupo Puntacana. The center 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 center has an air cargo terminal, a logistics center, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, a fuel supply terminal, an aircraft maintenance and repair shop and a general services building. These additions expand the existing export warehouse, in-transit warehouse and import warehouse. Its integration with the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) allows multimodal air, land and maritime capabilities.
The start of early stage operations at this advanced air cargo logistics center significantly expands the range of services we can offer to our growing list of clients. “This center 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, COO of DP World Americas.
In its first operational stage, the hub is actively receiving cargo via ground transportation throughout the country, and then sending it by air through the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ).
DP World is currently transitioning its operations to the new facility; by the end of this year, all inbound and outbound air cargo operations will be centralized through this hub. Plans to expand into maritime and air operations are under discussion in several South American countries, including Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Chile.
Currently, 60-70% of the cargo consists of perishable products, mainly fruits and vegetables. The center also handles a variety of other products, such as machinery, automotive equipment and seafood, and specializes in expedited shipping of goods. Plans are to eventually diversify into the pharmaceutical, technology and e-commerce sectors.
Further capacity expansions are underway, with the logistics center warehouse and manufacturing facility currently under construction and expected to be operational in the second half of 2024. The maintenance and repair shop has commenced civil works and has a period of two years to start operations.