O F F I C I A L S I N T E N D F O R Z E D M TO

B E C O M E C U B A S WO R L D G AT E WAY
MAY 25, 2015 12:05 AM
A year after the official inauguration of the Containers Terminal in Cuba, the first
projects are underway. The terminal officially in operation since January 2014, is
located in the Special Economic Development Zone of Mariel (ZEDM), 45 kilometers
west of Havana. The facilities are currently able to receive Post -Panamax vessels and
accommodate 800,000 TEU per year.
Intended to be Cubas gateway to the world, the Special Economic Development Zone
of Mariel (ZEDM) is part of a government policy to encourage integrated projects that
will attract foreign investment. It is hoped that this approach will invigorate key
sectors, such as the agro-industry, biotechnology, energy and tourism.
The ZEDM has a strategic geographical location, with all basic infrastructure in place,
highly qualified human resources, legal security and a flexible approval process.
Given its readiness, it is the intention of local officials to first established the zone as
a transshipment port and then secondly as an importer of raw materials and an
exporter of finished products.