UN/LOCODE: DOMAN📍 Dominican Republic
Port of Manzanillo (UN/LOCODE DOMAN)
❖ Coordinates: 19.7000°N, -71.7500°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Santo_Domingo
❖ UN/LOCODE: DOMAN
## About the Port
The **Port of Manzanillo** (UN/LOCODE: **DOMAN**) lies on the north‑western shoreline of the Dominican Republic, within the Monte Cristi province. At **19.7° N latitude** and **‑71.75° W longitude**, the harbor sits in the Atlantic coastal belt, benefitting from the prevailing northeast trade winds and a natural deep water approach that accommodates vessels up to **12 m draught**.
The port operates under the **America/Santo_Domingo** time zone (UTC‑4) and is administered by the **Dirección General de Puertos** (DGP), the national authority responsible for safety, customs, and port development. Manzanillo’s strategic position—approximately 150 km north of the border with Haiti and 120 km west of Puerto Plata—makes it a gateway for both domestic coastal traffic and trans‑Atlantic cargo flows.
Key identifiers for logistics and freight forwarders include:
* **UN/LOCODE:** DOMAN
* **ISO 3166‑2:** DO-04 (Monte Cristi)
* **Shipping Lines:** Primarily regional feeder services, supplemented by occasional Pan‑American liner calls.
The port’s location within the Caribbean’s busy maritime corridor ensures connectivity to major East Coast U.S. ports (New York, Miami) and to European hubs via the Panama Canal.
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## History
Manzanillo’s origins trace back to the early **16th century**, when Spanish colonial settlements exploited the natural anchorage for sugar and indigo shipments. By the **19th century**, the harbor evolved into a modest export point for **citrus, coffee, and livestock**, supporting Monte Cristi’s agrarian economy.
During the **U.S. occupation (1916–1924)**, the port received limited upgrades, including a reinforced pier and basic navigation aids. However, it was the **1970s** that marked the first modern expansion: the Dominican government, aiming to diversify trade away from the congested Port of Santo Domingo, authorized dredging to a **12‑meter draught** and installed a **roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) ramp** to accommodate emerging vehicle exports.
The **1990s** saw the construction of a container handling yard, driven by the surge in textile and manufactured goods transiting the Caribbean. In **2005**, the DGP initiated a public‑private partnership (PPP) that introduced **solar‑powered lighting** and a **customs automation system**, positioning Manzanillo as one of the first environmentally‑certified ports in the region.
Recent milestones include the **2018** inauguration of a **cold‑storage terminal** for perishable goods and a **2019** upgrade of the port’s **Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)** to comply with IMO standards. These developments have cemented Manzanillo’s role in the Dominican Republic’s shift toward high‑value, time‑critical cargo handling.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Quay
* **Four fixed berths** (2 × 20 m, 1 × 30 m, 1 × 45 m) equipped with **hydraulic crane systems (30 t – 45 t capacity)**.
* **Two Ro‑Ro ramps** (vehicle and container units) with a **maximum lane width of 3.5 m**.
* **Draught:** 12 m at lowest tide, maintained through periodic dredging (average annual sediment removal ≈ 0.8 Mt).
### Warehousing & Cargo Handling
* **8000 m² covered warehouse** featuring climate‑controlled sections for pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, and high‑value electronics.
* **Open‑air storage** of 15 ha, suitable for bulk agricultural commodities and timber.
* **Container yard** with 400 TEU ground slots, serviced by **four Reach Stackers** and **two Forklift Trucks** (15 t capacity).
### Supporting Services
* **Customs clearance** is fully digitized via the **Dominican Republic’s Integrated Customs Management System (SGC‑ICA)**, reducing clearance times to an average of **6 hours** for standard cargo.
* **Ship repair & bunkering** are provided by on‑site facilities operated under a concession agreement with **Gulf Marine Services**.
* **Security** follows the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, with a 24‑hour patrol, CCTV coverage, and a certified **Security Officer** on duty.
### Connectivity
* **Road link:** The port connects to the **RN-3 highway**, enabling direct access to the **Monte Cristi–Cabo Rojo corridor** and onward to the **Haitian border crossing**.
* **Rail:** A freight rail spur—currently dormant but slated for revival under the **Caribbean Transport Initiative**—will provide an alternative modal option for bulk commodities.
> For detailed technical specifications, see the **World Port Source** database: Port of Manzanillo, Dominican Republic↗.
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## Economic Importance
Manzanillo contributes an estimated **2.3 %** of the Dominican Republic’s total maritime cargo volume, translating to roughly **1.4 Mt** of goods annually (2023 data). Its economic impact is multi‑faceted:
1. **Agricultural Export Hub** – The surrounding Monte Cristi region produces **citrus, bananas, and cacao**, which are exported primarily via Manzanillo. The port’s cold‑storage facilities have lifted perishable export value by **≈ 15 %** since 2018.
2. **Import Pathway for Construction Materials** – Post‑hurricane reconstruction efforts in the north coast require steel, cement, and prefabricated components. Manzanillo’s Ro‑Ro capability shortens delivery cycles, reducing project lead times by **2–3 weeks** compared with the larger, more congested southern ports.
3. **Tourism & Cruise Linkages** – While not a primary cruise terminal, the port serves as a **logistics base** for charter vessels operating scenic tours of the **Monte Cristi Peninsula** and the **Cabo Rojo Marine Reserve**, supporting local employment and ancillary services (hospitality, marine guiding).
4. **Regional Trade Facilitation** – The port functions as a **transshipment node** for Haitian imports destined for the north‑west of the island, leveraging its proximity to the border to lower freight costs and improve supply‑chain resilience for cross‑border markets.
Collectively, these activities generate **≈ US$210 million** in annual revenue for the province, with a **direct employment figure of 1,200** workers and an estimated **indirect impact on 5,000** jobs across logistics, manufacturing, and services.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Dominant Vessel Types | Frequency (2023) |
|----------------------|-----------------------|------------------|
| **New York / Newark (USA)** | Feeder container ships (3000–5000 DWT) | 7 Calls/yr |
| **Panama Canal (Transit)** | Pan‑American liners (10,000 DWT) | 4 Calls/yr |
| **Miami (USA)** | Ro‑Ro & Box ships (2000 DWT) | 6 Calls/yr |
| **Santo Domingo (DR)** | Coastal barges & coastal feeders | 12 Calls/yr |
| **Port-au-Prince (HT)** | Small bulk carriers (1500 DWT) | 5 Calls/yr |
| **European North‑West (Rotterdam, Antwerp)** | Direct liner service (via Canal) | 2 Calls/yr |
The port’s **north‑west orientation** aligns with the prevailing trade winds, allowing fuel‑efficient passages for vessels heading to the Gulf of Mexico, the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, and the **European Atlantic ports** via the Panama Canal.
### Cargo Profile
* **Containerized Goods (≈ 30 % of volume)** – Electronics, textiles, and packaged foods from U.S. and European manufacturers. The average TEU turnaround time at Manzanillo is **≈ 1.8 days**, thanks to the automated gate system.
* **Bulk Agricultural Produce (≈ 25 %)** – Fresh citrus, banana bunches, and cacao beans, primarily exported to the U.S. and EU markets. The presence of **refrigerated storage** reduces spoilage rates to below **1 %**, outperforming regional benchmarks.
* **Dry Bulk (≈ 20 %)** – Cement, gypsum, and construction aggregates imported for regional infrastructure projects. The port’s **gravity conveyors** enable rapid off‑loading to the adjacent road network.
* **Vehicle & Machinery (≈ 12 %)** – Heavy equipment, agricultural tractors, and passenger cars transshipped via the Ro‑Ro ramps. The average dwell time is **0.9 days**, reflecting efficient lane allocation.
* **Other (≈ 13 %)** – Includes timber, fishery products, and limited hazardous cargo (subject to strict IMO and IMO/ADR compliance).
The cargo mix underscores Manzanillo’s **versatility**—it can handle high‑value, time‑sensitive containers while supporting bulk, low‑margin commodities that sustain the local economy.
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### Outlook
Projected **annual cargo growth of 4‑5 %** (2024‑2029) is driven by expanding agro‑export agreements under the **Caribbean Basin Initiative** and renewed investment in **renewable‑energy infrastructure** across the Dominican Republic’s northern provinces. The prospective **rail revival** and **digital twin port management platform**—currently under feasibility study—are poised to further enhance throughput, positioning Manzanillo as a **future‑proof node** in the Caribbean logistics network.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
DOMAN
Country
Dominican Republic
Province / Region
Monte Cristi
Latitude
19.700000
Longitude
-71.750000
Timezone
America/Santo_Domingo
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Manzanillo?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Manzanillo is DOMAN.
Where is Port of Manzanillo located?
The Port of Manzanillo is located in Dominican Republic, Monte Cristi. Its coordinates are 19.7000°N, -71.7500°E.
What time zone is Port of Manzanillo in?
Port of Manzanillo 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.
📍 Nearby Ports
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