Jean Luis Rodríguez, the Architect of the New Port Era in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo, DR: Jean Luis Rodríguez, the current Executive Director of the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM) since August 16, 2020, has significantly transformed the country’s port infrastructure, with a strong focus on developing cruise terminals and tourist piers.
His tenure has been defined by a commitment to technological modernization, transparency, infrastructure expansion, and sustainability—strategies that have positioned the Dominican Republic as a key destination for cruise tourism in the Caribbean.
Under his leadership, the Dominican Republic expanded from three to five cruise terminals in less than four years. In 2024, the country welcomed 2.7 million cruise passengers, representing a 140% increase compared to the previous record year. For 2025, projections indicate the figure will surpass 3 million passengers.

The expansion includes both new terminals and improvements to existing facilities, Puerto Cabo Rojo (Pedernales), received around 20,000 cruise passengers in 2024 and is already projecting 150,000 visitors for 2025, with a flow of two to three ships per month, boosting tourism in the southern region; Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), developed with private investment from Carnival, it is a model of sustainability by integrating solar energy into its operations; Taino Bay (Puerto Plata), inaugurated in December 2021, the facility can serve three ships simultaneously and accommodate up to 14,000 passengers per day, consolidating Puerto Plata as a top-tier destination in the Caribbean and Puerto de Santo Domingo. Redesigned to integrate the port area with the Colonial City, with dredging works, renovated facilities, and a modern marina and Puerto de Samaná, strengthened as a cruise and nautical tourism destination, with improvements in infrastructure and services.

We can list a significant number of strategic projects developed under the administration of Jean Luis Rodríguez. Still, on this occasion, we will focus on the main ones: the new cruise terminal in Santo Domingo (in front of the Hotel Jaragua), a US$400 million project scheduled for completion in 2028, which will integrate cruise tourism with the cultural and historical offerings of the Colonial City; tourism and fishing infrastructure, consisting of the inauguration of 17 tourist and fishing piers nationwide—an unprecedented initiative to promote coastal development; and the legal titling of port properties, consisting of the regularization and official titling of 28 strategic properties such as Cabo Rojo and Haina Occidental, strengthening legal certainty and attracting private investment.

In terms of sustainability and international partnerships, the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM), under the administration of Jean Luis Rodríguez, has implemented renewable energy initiatives, such as the solar power plant at Amber Cove; signed agreements with port authorities in Curaçao and Panama; and participated in international fairs such as Seatrade Cruise Global and FITUR to position the country as a competitive port destination.

Institutional Recognition
In 2025, APORDOM achieved a score of 98.85% in the Institutional Information Quality Monitoring System (ICI), demonstrating its commitment to high standards of transparency and effective management.