The summit brought together over 300 attendees from the public and private sectors to discuss the latest trends and challenges in transportation, logistics, and free zones. Speakers included government officials, industry leaders, and experts from around the world.

As Rannik, we were present at this important event, which featured the participation of our Group President, Mr. Jeffrey Rannik, on the panel “Driving Innovation in the Supply Chain.” He highlighted the importance of development and talent attraction that is needed in this industry to further boost its growth.

The summit was a success in that it brought together key stakeholders from the transportation, logistics, and free zones sectors to discuss the future of the industry in the Dominican Republic. The event also helped to raise awareness of the importance of these sectors to the country’s economy.

This year, through the Ministry of Tourism, the Fair is hosted in the Dominican Republic. It is the only official cruise conference that represents the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America, taking place in the Dominican capital, Santo Domingo, from October 11 to 14, 2022 at the Jaragua Hotel.

At this cocktail, Mr. Jeffrey Rannik, CEO of Rannik Group, participated with words of welcome for the members and other personalities, inviting them to enjoy the conference, thanking them for the trust placed in the country and highlighting the collaboration of the government to promote the Dominican Republic as a destination every day, emphasizing that the country is at its best.

For his part, Mr. Carlos Peguero, Vice Minister of Tourism for International Cooperation, highlighted the importance of these international business fairs, highlighting that the country will be able to show its potential. This will be a crucial time and place for the industry to meet to continue the recovery of cruise tourism, and it is a testament to the country’s commitment.

On his side, Adam Ceserano, President of the FCCA, in his welcome words at this cocktail, highlighted the consolidation gained by the Dominican Republic as a cruise destination with its excellent port facilities, its stellar destination attributes, and its tourism vision.

In addition to executives from Rannik Group, members of the FCCA and the Ministry of Tourism, the General Customs Directorate, the Dominican Port Authority, Immigration, the Dominican Navy, and executives from the Romana Port, Sans Souci, Amber Cove, Taíno Bay tourist ports were also present, among others.

Rannik Group

It is a family-owned company founded in 1919. It is the first company in maritime trade in the country, becoming the most diversified business group in the logistics services branch.

It has participated as a promoter and investor in important maritime infrastructure projects such as the development of the Multimodal Caucedo Port, Haina International Terminals, and the Amber Cove Tourist Terminal in Puerto Plata.

About the FCCA

It is a non-profit trade association composed of 22 affiliated cruise companies, which operate more than 100 ships in the state of Florida, the Caribbean, and Latin America, while also having Platinum Members composed of government authorities, ports, tour operators, and other services.

BOCA CHICA, Dominican Republic. – During an event presided over by President Luis Abinader, executives from Grupo Rannik inaugurated an air cargo warehouse, created in partnership with the multinational company United Parcel Service (UPS), located at the Las Américas International Airport

The inaugural event began with the main executives of this business group, Mr. Jeffrey Rannik and Mr. Jaak Rannik, as well as the main executive in the Dominican Republic of the multinational UPS, Mr. José Burdie. It also included the presence of Mr. Victor (Ito) Bisonó, Minister of Industry, Commerce and MiPymes, Mr. Eduardo Sanz Lovatón, General Director of Customs, as well as other government officials, clients, and special guests.

Mr. Jeffrey Rannik stated that this innovative infrastructure of 3,000 square meters is dedicated to parcel delivery, import, and export of goods by air. This project is a cornerstone that is already contributing to the security of the logistics chain and export platform for perishable products or other products.

UPS executive José Budie highlighted the company’s commitment to the Dominican Republic through its services that connect this country with the United States and the rest of the world. He also emphasized that this service platform has a cold storage installation, which serves to protect the cold chain and preserve the quality of perishable products exported from the country.

For his part, Sanz Lovatón indicated that the government of the Dominican Republic is supporting and promoting investments that will strengthen the country’s logistics capacity to achieve the goal of becoming the REGIONAL LOGISTICS HUB. The government has shown its firm commitment in this regard, such as the approval and promulgation of the new General Customs Law, which provides a better regulatory framework for foreign trade operations. At the same time, he indicated that this infrastructure is aligned with the state’s vision of creating platforms to support the agro-industry, national production, and the export sector.

Likewise, Minister Victor (Ito) Bisonó spoke about the importance of this investment, as it comes to support the effort that the State is making to attract foreign investment and “Nearshoring” operations, and that an increase in trade between the Dominican Republic and the United States is expected, which will come because of the Alliance for Democracy Development signed between the two countries.

About the new warehouse

This warehouse is the airport facility with the largest capacity and efficiency for handling perishable exports without interrupting the cold chain during the transportation and delivery process.

It has a cold room of 33 square meters that operates between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius for imports. And a cold room for exports with a pre-chamber of 210 square meters that operates at 15 degrees Celsius and a chamber of 265 square meters that operates between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius. Both with the latest European technology to preserve the cold chain.

It has offices where the General Directorate of Customs (DGA) and the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) intervene, as well as a space for phytosanitary inspections.

All operations are regulated by the Specialized Body for Airport Security and Civil Aviation (CESAC), using state-of-the-art X-ray machines and a specialized canine unit.

It has a capacity of 2.5 million pounds per month for exports and 2 million pounds per month for imports. However, with 24-hour work shifts, the capacity would increase to 5 million pounds per month for exports and 6 million pounds per month for imports.

All types of products are imported and exported through these facilities, such as: vegetables and fruits, electronic and medical devices, cigars, textile raw materials, among others.

This fast and reliable sailing complements the company’s existing cargo transportation services connecting Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the USVI with the surrounding Caribbean (including the Leeward, British Virgin and Windward Islands), Central America and the U.S Mainland.

Customers can ship cargo in all types of equipment, including 20 and 40 foot refrigerated reefer and dry containers, 45 foot by 102 inch dry containers and flat racks. Supporting the ocean freight services are employees at the company’s San Juan, Rio Haina or USVI facilities, who can streamline the handling and delivery of goods to their final destinations using a full portfolio of supply chain services, such as warehousing, Customs clearance and trucking.

“We are proud to offer customers yet another innovative service connecting key trading markets throughout the Caribbean Basin” said Steve Collar, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley international services. “The addition of this service helps us to remain focused on providing customers long term competitive and reliable supply chain solutions by leveraging our expanded capabilities. It’s yet another way we’re strengthening our reputation as a market leader in the Caribbean”.

The new service uses the following sailing schedule:

Sunday Rio Haina, DR
Tuesday San Juan, PR
Thursday San Juan, PR
Friday St Thomas, USVI
Friday St Croix, USVI

This fast, reliable schedule also provides customers shipping time sensitive cargo advantage of end of week departures from the USVI and early week arrivals in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Customers who want to learn more about this new weekly sailing should contact Crowley’s customer care team by calling 1-800-CROWLEY, and selecting option two.

This announcement follows the recent announcement that Crowley has launched a new direct northbound sailing between Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and Port Everglades, Florida.

About Crowley
Jacksonville based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 126 year old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee owned company that provides marine solutions, energy and logistic services in domestic and international markets. Crowley operates under four business units: Crowley Logistics, a singular ocean liner and logistics supply chain division; Crowley Shipping, which encompasses ownership, operations and management of vessels, including tankers, container ships, tugboats and barges; Crowley Fuels, a fuel transportation, distribution and sales division that also provides liquefied natural gas and related services; and Crowley Solutions, which focuses on government services including vessel management for government agencies, as well as engineering, project management, naval architecture through is 50 percent ownership in Ardent Global. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries ad business units may be found at http://www.crowley.com/