Cuba's government has drawn up plans to invest about $180 million over the next few years on port expansion projects.
Key Cuban ports will be upgraded as part of a program scheduled for completion by 2010, to modernize facilities and increase efficiency, announced Transport Ministry officials.
Transport Ministry Deputy Ports Minister Gilberto Ponce told the local press that the expansion projects will include channel dredging, the deepening of berthing depths and upgrading of port infrastructure.
Loading and unloading equipment purchased from China will be set-up and integrated into port side infrastructure, said Ponce.
Due to its significance for Cuba's important tourism industry, one of the first projects will be the rehabilitation of the Canal de la Estopa, which links Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) with mainland cities Cienfuegos, Cayo Largo and the island of Cuba.
According to Transport Ministry officials, not all of the country's 25 ports will see development.
Ports such as the capital Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos, Mariel, Nuevitas and Puerto Carupano will be given priority as a result of their economic-mercantile importance.
Upgrading will be carried out on bulk sugar shipping facilities at Guayabal, Carupano, Palo Alto, Matanzas and Cienfuegos ports, said Ponce.
Expansion works have already begun at Havana's Andres Gonzalez Lines and Haiphong terminals, as well as Havana's container terminal, and are scheduled to begin soon at Batabano port, added Ponce.
Cuban local press has been lauding the development plans, saying that port restoration in the country will mean improving labour conditions, along with increased productivity and the shortening of vessel loading delays.
Key Cuban ports will be upgraded as part of a program scheduled for completion by 2010, to modernize facilities and increase efficiency, announced Transport Ministry officials.
Transport Ministry Deputy Ports Minister Gilberto Ponce told the local press that the expansion projects will include channel dredging, the deepening of berthing depths and upgrading of port infrastructure.
Loading and unloading equipment purchased from China will be set-up and integrated into port side infrastructure, said Ponce.
Due to its significance for Cuba's important tourism industry, one of the first projects will be the rehabilitation of the Canal de la Estopa, which links Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) with mainland cities Cienfuegos, Cayo Largo and the island of Cuba.
According to Transport Ministry officials, not all of the country's 25 ports will see development.
Ports such as the capital Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Cienfuegos, Mariel, Nuevitas and Puerto Carupano will be given priority as a result of their economic-mercantile importance.
Upgrading will be carried out on bulk sugar shipping facilities at Guayabal, Carupano, Palo Alto, Matanzas and Cienfuegos ports, said Ponce.
Expansion works have already begun at Havana's Andres Gonzalez Lines and Haiphong terminals, as well as Havana's container terminal, and are scheduled to begin soon at Batabano port, added Ponce.
Cuban local press has been lauding the development plans, saying that port restoration in the country will mean improving labour conditions, along with increased productivity and the shortening of vessel loading delays.