Dominican Republic launches second tender for US$100mn Manzanillo port

The Dominican Republic and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) launched a tender paving the way for the US$100mn rehabilitation and expansion of Manzanillo port, in Pepillo Salcedo municipality. 

Interested parties may submit applications in person or via courier until May 20 at the public works and communications ministry (MOPC), according to an invite released by IDB. The actual tender call will be released on the ministry’s site on April 5, however. 

The announcement comes a few days after the bank and the Caribbean government opened a prequalification stage for potential candidates to bid on the port project, involving a contract to design and construct a new offshore dock parallel to the coast of Pepillo Salcedo to operate container cargo, an access bridge and the rehabilitation of basic infrastructure such as access roads. 

Interested parties for the prequalification stage may submit applications in person at MOPC’s headquarters until May 3.

“It is necessary to have geotechnical studies to complement the technical information to complete the design of the preliminary project of the new offshore pier and its bridge,” the invite for the geotechnical studies said. 

“Fourteen boreholes in water are contemplated, as an investigation to characterize geotechnically the construction floors of the dock and its access bridge and the preparation of a technical report with conclusions and corresponding recommendations,” the document said. 

In June 2021, the IDB signed a US$100mn contract with the Dominican Republic to finance the project.