UN/LOCODE: DOCAU📍 Dominican Republic
Port of Caucedo (UN/LOCODE DOCAU)
❖ Coordinates: 18.4200°N, -69.6300°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Santo_Domingo
❖ UN/LOCODE: DOCAU
## About the Port
Caucedo (UN/LOCODE: **DOCAU**) is a modern, deep‑water container terminal located at the eastern edge of the Distrito Nacional, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Situated at **18.42° N, ‑69.63° W** and operating under the **America/Santo_Domingo** time zone, the terminal enjoys a strategic position on the southern Caribbean coast, just 15 km from the capital’s main commercial district.
The port is owned by the **Caucedo Port Authority** (APA) and operated by **Atlantic Container Terminal (ACT)**, a joint venture between **PSA International** and **Grupo Central**. Its natural harbour provides a **draft of 14.5 m**, enabling the accommodation of Ultra‑Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) and Pan‑amax ships. The facility is fully equipped with on‑shore customs, a free‑zone logistics park, and integrated rail‑to‑road connections that link directly to the **Pan‑American Highway (DR-1)**, thereby facilitating swift hinterland distribution throughout Hispaniola and the Greater Caribbean.
Caucedo is frequently cited in regional shipping indexes as the “gateway to the Caribbean’s fastest‑growing logistics hub,” a reputation built on its **high‑efficiency turnaround times (average 2.6 days vessel‑stay)** and **container handling capacity of 2.5 million TEU per annum**. For further official details on its coding and location, see the UN/LOCODE directory: UN/LOCODE DOCAU↗.
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## History
### Early Development (1990‑2003)
The concept of a dedicated container terminal in the Dominican Republic emerged in the early 1990s, driven by the nation’s need to diversify its export base beyond traditional commodities such as sugar and coffee. Government‑led feasibility studies identified the Caucedo peninsula as an optimal site due to its deep‑water access and proximity to the capital’s industrial zones.
### Inauguration and Private Partnership (2003‑2010)
The port officially opened in **2003**, marking the first privately‑financed container terminal in the Caribbean. ACT secured a 30‑year concession from the Dominican government, investing **US$350 million** in dredging, berth construction, and state‑of‑the‑art cargo handling equipment. During this period, the terminal rapidly captured market share from the older **Port of Santo Domingo**, achieving a **30 % increase in container throughput** within five years.
### Expansion and Technological Upgrades (2011‑2020)
From 2011 onward, Caucedo underwent a series of capacity‑boosting projects, including the addition of a **second berth (Berth 2)** equipped with two post‑Panamax gantry cranes and the installation of a **Terminal Operating System (TOS)** for real‑time container tracking. These upgrades aligned the terminal with the **International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2020 sulphur cap** and introduced shore‑power capabilities for vessels calling at the port.
### Recent Milestones (2021‑Present)
In 2022, ACT announced the **“Caucedo 2.0”** initiative, targeting an annual handling capacity of **3.5 million TEU** through automation of yard equipment and the development of a dedicated **Free‑Zone Industrial Park**. The port now serves as a primary transshipment hub for the **CARIFORUM** trade bloc and has earned certifications for **ISO 14001 (environmental management)** and **ISO 9001 (quality management)**.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Water Depth
- **Berth 1:** 350 m length, 14.5 m draft, equipped with two Super‑Post‑Panamax quay cranes (capacity 22 containers across the beam).
- **Berth 2:** 300 m length, 14.0 m draft, fitted with two Panamax quay cranes and advanced ship‑to‑shore (STS) gantries.
Both berths support simultaneous handling of **40‑foot containers** and have **30 % higher crane productivity** than regional benchmarks.
### Yard Layout and Equipment
- **Container Yard (CY):** 150 ha of fenced, rubber‑tired gantry (RTG) and straddle‑carrier (SC) equipment, organized into **four operational zones** (Import, Export, Reefer, and Hazardous).
- **Reefer Farm:** Capacity for **12,000 refrigerated units**, with a 24‑hour power backup system guaranteeing temperature stability for perishable cargo.
- **Automated Gate System:** RFID‑enabled, reducing truck dwell time to **under 30 minutes** per gate pass.
### Connectivity
- **Road:** Direct access to the **DR‑1 highway**, linking the port to the **Santo Domingo** metropolitan area and the **Santiago** industrial corridor (≈150 km).
- **Rail:** A 10‑km spur line connects the terminal to the national rail network, primarily used for bulk commodities and future intermodal projects.
- **Digital:** Integrated **Port Community System (PCS)** enables real‑time data exchange among customs, shipping agents, and freight forwarders, complying with the **International Maritime Organization’s e‑Freight standards**.
### Ancillary Services
- **Customs & Inspection:** On‑site customs office staffed by the Dominican Republic’s Dirección General de Aduanas, offering **pre‑clearance** and **single‑window** procedures.
- **Warehousing:** 85 000 m² of bonded and non‑bonded warehouses, including high‑bay racking for **dry bulk** and **project cargo**.
- **Support Infrastructure:** Dedicated pilotage, towage, and bunker services, plus a marine‑insurance desk for cargo underwriting.
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## Economic Importance
### National Trade Catalyst
Caucedo handles **approximately 70 % of the Dominican Republic’s containerized cargo**, translating to an estimated **US$12 billion** in annual trade value. The port’s throughput directly supports the country’s **manufacturing** sector—particularly textiles, electronics assembly, and pharmaceuticals—by providing reliable inbound raw‑material supply chains.
### Employment and Regional Development
The terminal employs **over 3,800 permanent staff**, with an additional **5,000 indirect jobs** generated through logistics providers, trucking firms, and ancillary services. The port’s free‑zone industrial park has attracted **45 multinational companies**, fostering technology transfer and boosting the **GDP contribution of the Distrito Nacional** by an estimated **0.9 percentage points** per annum.
### Fiscal Revenue and Investment
Through **customs duties, terminal handling charges, and lease agreements**, Caucedo contributes roughly **US$350 million** to the national treasury each year. Continuous capital investment—averaging **US$45 million** annually—supports infrastructure upgrades, sustainability initiatives, and workforce development programs.
### Strategic Role in Caribbean Logistics
Caucedo’s deep‑water capability positions it as a **regional transshipment hub**, handling cargo destined for the **Eastern Caribbean (e.g., Barbados, St. Lucia)** and **Northern South America (e.g., Venezuela, Colombia)**. The port’s efficient turnaround times and competitive tariffs have attracted major liner alliances—**Maersk Line, MSC, CMA CGM, and Hapag‑Lloyd**—enhancing the Dominican Republic’s connectivity to the global supply chain.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Core Shipping Lanes
- **North‑South Atlantic Corridor:** Direct services to **Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg**, facilitating European market access for Dominican exports.
- **Pan‑American East Coast Loop:** Weekly calls from **New York, Savannah, and Houston**, linking North American consumer markets with Caribbean distribution centers.
- **Caribbean Inter‑Island Network:** Short‑haul feeder vessels serving the **Leeward and Windward Islands**, enabling rapid movement of manufactured goods and perishable items.
### Export Commodities
| Commodity | Approx. Share of Export TEU | Key Destinations |
|----------------------|----------------------------|------------------|
| **Textiles & Apparel** | 28 % | United States, EU |
| **Electronics (e.g., printed circuit boards)** | 15 % | United States, Canada |
| **Pharmaceuticals** | 10 % | Europe, Latin America |
| **Fruits & Vegetables (refrigerated)** | 12 % | United States, Caribbean islands |
### Import Profiles
| Commodity | Approx. Share of Import TEU | Key Origins |
|----------------------|----------------------------|------------|
| **Machinery & Equipment** | 23 % | China, USA |
| **Automotive Parts** | 18 % | Japan, Germany |
| **Petroleum Products** | 14 % | Trinidad & Tobago (via pipelines) |
| **Consumer Goods (Retail)** | 20 % | China, Mexico |
### Emerging Cargo Segments
- **Renewable Energy Components:** Solar panels and wind‑turbine parts are increasingly routed through Caucedo, reflecting the Dominican Republic’s **National Renewable Energy Plan**.
- **Cold‑Chain Logistics:** The expanded reefer farm now processes **over 5 million cubic feet** of perishable cargo annually, catering to the growing demand for tropical fruits in European markets.
### Future Route Development
Strategic discussions with **Alma Logistics** and **MSC’s Caribbean Expansion Program** anticipate new direct services to **Santiago de Cuba** and **Guatemala’s Port of Guatemalan** by 2027, further diversifying Caucedo’s trade network and solidifying its role as a **pan‑Caribbean logistics hub**.
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Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
DOCAU
Country
Dominican Republic
Province / Region
Distrito Nacional (Santo Domingo)
Latitude
18.420000
Longitude
-69.630000
Timezone
America/Santo_Domingo
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Caucedo?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Caucedo is DOCAU.
Where is Port of Caucedo located?
The Port of Caucedo is located in Dominican Republic, Distrito Nacional (Santo Domingo). Its coordinates are 18.4200°N, -69.6300°E.
What time zone is Port of Caucedo in?
Port of Caucedo operates in the America/Santo_Domingo time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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