ferry Puerto Rico Dominican Republic
ferry Puerto Rico Dominican Republic
Ferry trips between Mayagüez (Puerto Rico) and San Pedro de Macorís (Dominican Republic) are delayed.
According to the newspaper El Nuevo Día, unfortunately, the ferry company Balearia Caribbean, a subsidiary of the Spanish shipping company Balearia, will not be able to start its routes in November 2024 between the ports of Mayagüez and San Pedro de Macorís, as previously announced.
This new route was introduced during the International Tourism Fair (Fitur) held in Madrid, Spain, in January 2024, by Puerto Rico’s Governor, Pedro Pierluisi, and Balearia’s President, Adolfo Utor. During the fair, November 2024 was initially set as the start date for the operations between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Design of a new terminal in Mayagüez.
The delays in starting this route connecting Puerto Rico with the Dominican Republic are due to the design of a new terminal to accommodate both Balearia’s ferry operations and docking options for various cruise lines. Construction of this new terminal is expected to begin in early 2025.
The governor has also stated that funds have been requested to allow Customs to operate in this port. This would provide the necessary budget for CBP (Customs and Border Protection) agents to handle customs and immigration duties at the Mayagüez port.
Therefore, the adaptation of the Customs and Immigration terminal at the Mayagüez port, essential for Balearia’s ferries to operate this route, has yet to begin. Francisco Nolla, executive director of Puerto Mayagüez Development (PMD), which manages the port facilities, confirmed that the project is currently in the design phase. Completion of the project is expected no sooner than the second quarter of 2025.
Fourth quarter of 2025
In our view, and given the ongoing delays, even optimistically, the new ferry route between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic is unlikely to launch until the last quarter of 2025.
We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on this route as more information becomes available.
- Information until August 27, 2024 -
Balearia Caribbean will launch a new route by the end of 2024 from Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic, connecting the ports of Mayagüez in Puerto Rico with the port of San Pedro de Macorís in the Dominican Republic.
The ferry company plans to connect the two Caribbean ports with a direct daily ferry service. The expected investment to start operations between both countries amounts to 100 million dollars. This investment includes the remodeling and construction of the necessary infrastructure for the proper functioning of the cargo terminals and to provide comfort and safety to passengers.
A new passenger and cargo terminal is planned for construction in the port of San Pedro de Macorís, and the existing terminal in Mayagüez will be renovated.
Third route in the Caribbean. This new route will be the third crossing in the Caribbean for Balearia Caribbean. This direct service will connect the 133 miles separating Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. In 2011, the ferry company Balearia made its debut in Fort Lauderdale (Florida, United States) to connect this port with Bimini (Bahamas) and later, in 2017, to connect the port of Freeport on Grand Bahama Island with Florida.
This journey, which will have a duration of 7 hours, will be carried out with an eco-friendly ship that will be the first liquefied natural gas-powered ship to sail in the Caribbean. Balearia Caribbean will bring its successful business model, established in Europe, North Africa, the United States, and the Bahamas, to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, making this its sixth international route (there are two connections to Algeria - Oran and Mostaganem - and four connections to Morocco - 2 to Nador and 2 to Tanger Med).
The most important aspect of this new route for Balearia Caribbean is the establishment of a daily crossing between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic that ensures the daily transit of passengers and cargo in less than 24 hours between both countries.
This represents Balearia's largest investment in its international expansion plans. The funds provided by the ferry company will be used to offer a modern ferry with upgraded engines, comfort for passengers, and great cargo capacity for transporting goods and vehicles. The remodeling work at the port of Mayagüez includes adapting the existing facilities. In the port of San Pedro de Macorís, the construction of a new passenger and cargo terminal is planned. Both ports will have a gangway for passenger access and ramps for the boarding and disembarking of cars on the ferry.
