The Regional Business Development Team of the Embassy network of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Latin America is organizing a maritime trade mission to participate in REPICA. REPICA, organized annually by COCATRAM, brings together port authorities and terminal operators from Central America and the Dominican Republic.

As Central America strengthens its position as a strategic logistics and nearshoring hub, ports across the region are attracting major public and private investment to expand deep-water capacity, multimodal connectivity, and resilient infrastructure. At the same time, the sector faces challenges linked to climate change, global volatility, and the transition toward net-zero emissions, creating opportunities for companies offering digitalized, automated, and sustainable logistics solutions.

This year’s host, the Dominican Republic, is emerging as a leading logistics and nearshoring hub in the Caribbean. As the fastest-growing and 7th largest economy in Latin America, and  a leading recipient of FDI in the Caribbean and Central America, it is investing heavily in port infrastructure to strengthen its role as a regional gateway for trade and distribution. Supported by the META 2036 strategy and more than $500 million in recent investments, the country offers strong access to U.S. and EU markets through its strategic location and favorable business environment.

Across the region, major maritime infrastructure projects are reshaping global supply chains. In Costa Rica, Puerto Caldera is set for a $600 million expansion led by a Dutch consortium including APM Terminals and Hanseatic Global Terminals, while Moin plans a Phase 3 expansion for New Panamax vessels. Guatemala is advancing the $15 billion Interoceanic Corridor and the modernization of Puerto Quetzal. El Salvador is investing over $659 million in the expansion of Acajutla Port, and Panama is implementing a multibillion-dollar strategy to expand port capacity and strengthen its global logistics position.

REPICA 2026 will focus on port modernization, technological innovation, sustainability, security, risk management, and the evolving challenges of global maritime trade.

Participating companies from the Kingdom (Netherlands, Curaçao, Aruba and St Maarten)

The aim of this mission is to promote Dutch innovative solutions for port development and connect companies from the Kingdom of the Netherlands with new Latin American clients. The following types of companies from The Netherlands, Curacao, Aruba and St Maarten, located either in the region or in The Netherlands, are invited to participate in the mission:

• Suppliers of port equipment and services
• Companies providing auxiliary maritime and logistics services
• Providers of port construction, development, and operations
• Dredging and other wet construction companies
• Shipbuilders and maritime industry
• Shipping companies and operators
• Experts in port digitalization
• Consultants
• Port security suppliers (digital and physical)

Your company is recommended to participate at the level of general manager or regional business/country manager.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The Dutch government considers corporate social responsibility – including human rights – important and endorses the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Corporate Social Responsibility. Complying with these OECD Guidelines is one of the conditions for participating in this mission. 

Costs:

The participation fee is €1,000 per person and includes full access to the REPICA Congress, participation in the complete mission program, matchmaking and networking activities, and visibility at the shared Kingdom of the Netherlands stand. Travel, accommodation, and personal expenses are not included.

Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration and More Information:

Register here before 30 July: