Operations set to begin
Port Samaná is preparing to start operations on November 24, according to reports from Dominican Today and El Dinero. The date remains a scheduled opening, and neither report describes the terminal as already operational.
Dominican Today said the Dominican government and ITM Group partnered to develop the terminal under a public-private arrangement. The project is intended to add cruise capacity and generate opportunities across tourism, commerce, transportation and other services.
Passenger figures are forecasts
Alejandro Campos, executive director of the Dominican Port Authority, forecast approximately 230,000 cruise visitors in 2027 and 540,000 in 2028, followed by one million visitors a year in 2030. The figures are projections rather than recorded passenger totals.
Campos said the 2028 forecast was 35% above the original estimate. He linked the increase to cruise lines’ interest in Samaná and its natural and cultural attractions. Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza said the terminal could connect cruise tourism with Arroyo Barril, Sánchez and Las Terrenas.