Baleària presents its new route between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico at Fitur

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• The shipping company will invest more than 100 million dollars in launching the new maritime route from November
   
• More than 200 people attended the event, led by Baleària's president, Adolfo Utor, with representatives from both Caribbean countries also taking part

Shipping company Baleària today presented the new route that will connect the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico at the end of the year, as part of the International Tourism Trade Fair (Fitur). The company's stand welcomed more than 200 people to an event led by Baleària's president, Adolfo Utor. Those attending also included the governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro R. Pierluisi; the mayor of the Puerto Rican city of Mayagüez, Jorge Ramos; the chairman of the board of the Dominican Republic Port Authority, Alejandro Campos; and the executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company,  Carlos Mercado Santiago, among other officials.

From November, Baleària plans to operate a daily ferry service between the Dominican port of San Pedro de Macorís and the Puerto Rican port of Mayagüez, covering a distance of 133 miles. According to Utor, “this new regular service will provide vital communications infrastructure and serve as a key driver of progress, socio-economic development and connectivity for both territories” and he highlighted Baleària's experience of more than a decade operating routes between the United States and the Bahamas. “We are very interested in continuing to expand our business model in the Caribbean, an emerging market with great potential.” Baleària therefore plans to invest 100 million dollars in launching the new maritime route, applying its strategic pillars of innovation and sustainability and offering combined transport for passengers, vehicles and freight through reliable daily connections.

As part of this public-private project, Baleària will build a multifunctional passenger terminal at the port of San Pedro de Macorís (Dominican Republic) and upgrade the existing facilities in Mayagüez (Puerto Rico) to bring them into line with European quality standards. Both terminals will have a passenger walkway and boarding bridge, as well as a ramp to make vehicle loading and unloading easier.

The governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro R. Pierluisi, thanked Baleària and its president for their efforts to help expand the island's tourism offering, which has achieved record results over the past three years: “Baleària joins the many other companies that are choosing Puerto Rico as a hub for opportunity and economic growth. I am convinced that this new route is only the beginning of further opportunities for Baleària, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.”

Alejandro Campos, chairman of the board of the Dominican Republic Port Authority, said that “the transformation of the historic port of San Pedro de Macorís marks the rebirth of a maritime legacy and, together with the new route, symbolises the vision of progress and development championed by President Luis Abinader”. He also noted that it “positions the Dominican Port Authority as a key player in delivering that vision”.

The mayor of Mayagüez, Jorge Ramos, highlighted the significant impact the new route will have on the two Caribbean cities: “In economic terms, it will facilitate trade, increase tourism flows and strengthen the connection between the two countries.” He concluded by stressing that the project “extends beyond the boundaries of San Pedro de Macorís to become a national project that will open the door to many other industries”.

The shipping company will connect the two islands of the Antilles in a seven-hour crossing using an eco-efficient vessel that could become the first natural gas-powered ferry in the Caribbean. Customer care and the quality of onboard services will be a priority, while daily connections will enable the transport of rolling freight to guarantee express deliveries in under 24 hours, with reliability and punctuality as the main competitive advantages. The digitalisation of services and AI will help deliver the highest standards of excellence in transport services.

Baleària has operated in the Caribbean since 2011, where it currently connects the US port of Fort Lauderdale with the Bahamian islands of Grand Bahama and Bimini. With this new service, Baleària will operate its third route in the Caribbean and its sixth international route.