DP World adds US$100M to Dominican Republic free zone, boosting logistics capacity
The expansion focuses on integrating port services with industrial capacity to meet the rising demand for regional distribution.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – DP World and the Dominican Republic government have committed an additional US$100 million to expand logistics and warehousing infrastructure at the Caucedo Free Trade Zone, building on a US$760 million agreement signed in May 2025.
The latest investment supports new warehouse infrastructure and increases overall logistics capacity, further integrating port, free zone, and logistics services at Caucedo to meet growing regional demand.
Free Zone Expansion and Industrial Integration
The investment was unveiled during the 12th World Free Zones Congress 2026. In May 2025, DP World signed the US$760 million MoU with the Government of the Dominican Republic to expand the Port of Caucedo and its Free Trade Zone. The expansion focuses on integrating port services with industrial capacity to meet rising demand for regional distribution across the Americas.
Caucedo’s integrated port-free zone model offers streamlined handling of refrigerated cargo moving between North and South America. The additional warehousing capacity will support perishable goods requiring temperature-controlled storage and rapid re-export.
Economic Impact and Trade Projections
According to independent research by Oxford Economics, DP World plays a significant role in driving economic growth, employment, and trade connectivity across the Dominican Republic. The study found that DP World supported nearly 5,000 jobs nationwide, with goods exports projected to reach US$2.4 billion by 2035. In 2024, the port handled US$13.3 billion in total trade.
Morten Johansen, COO of DP World in the Americas, said the Dominican Republic is increasingly central to regional trade in the Americas. “This additional US$100 million investment builds on our previously announced commitment, helping position Caucedo as a fully integrated logistics platform capable of supporting long-term trade and industrial growth.”
Manuel Martínez, CEO of DP World in the Dominican Republic, said: “By expanding logistics and warehousing infrastructure in the Caucedo Free Trade Zone, we are enabling customers to scale more efficiently while strengthening the Dominican Republic’s competitiveness as a regional trade hub.“
Strategic Positioning for the Americas
The expansion focuses on integrating port services with industrial capacity to meet the rising demand for regional distribution.
As the Dominican Republic strengthens its competitiveness, fresh produce exporters gain a strategic gateway for transporting refrigerated goods between North and South America, bypassing more congested alternatives.
The project consolidates the Dominican Republic’s position as a central player in the long-term industrial growth of the Western Hemisphere.
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