Why the Caribbean Is Becoming a Strategic Link in Resilient Supply Chains
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Written by: JAXPORT Director of Business Development Alberto Cabrera
Supply chain resilience has moved from a buzzword to a business imperative. As manufacturers rethink where they produce goods and how they reach U.S. consumers, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean are becoming increasingly important links in North American supply chains. At JAXPORT, we’re seeing that momentum firsthand as companies continue investing in trade lanes that offer reliability, flexibility and proximity to the U.S. market.
The disruptions of recent years—from the COVID-19 pandemic to ongoing tariff uncertainty—have accelerated interest in nearshoring and reshoring. Companies are looking for manufacturing locations that shorten transit times while strengthening supply chain resilience, and Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are well-positioned to meet that need.
Puerto Rico remains a vital U.S. manufacturing hub, particularly for pharmaceuticals and other high-value industries (goods with a high economic value relative to their size or weight). JAXPORT is proud to work with the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association to support continued manufacturing growth and strengthen supply chain connections between the island and the mainland. Multiple weekly sailings between Puerto Rico and Jacksonville, combined with JAXPORT’s available terminal capacity, position the port to support future cargo growth.
The Dominican Republic is also experiencing continued manufacturing expansion. Competitive labor costs and the proximity of many manufacturing facilities to port infrastructure have attracted additional investment and contributed to growing freight volumes throughout the region.
As companies evaluate transportation options, selecting the right logistics partner is just as important as choosing the right trade lane. Shippers should consider vessel capability, available capacity and schedule reliability, but they should also look beyond the ocean voyage itself. Providers that offer integrated services—including trucking, warehousing and other third-party logistics capabilities—can simplify operations by managing the supply chain through a single point of contact. That end-to-end approach provides greater visibility, improves coordination and helps businesses respond more quickly to changing market conditions.
The good news is that Puerto Rico and Caribbean shipping is a mature and reliable trade lane supported by established carrier service, modern port infrastructure and experienced logistics providers. At JAXPORT, we’ve aligned our terminal leases in Jacksonville with those in Puerto Rico to help maintain coordinated vessel schedules and support efficient cargo movement between the two ports.
Cabrera discusses Caribbean supply chain trends during a virtual roundtable hosted by ocean carrier and terminal operator Trailer Bridge on July 29, 2026. Watch the virtual roundtable here
Like any supply chain, however, planning remains essential. Hurricane season and other external factors require flexibility, while temperature-controlled cargo often demands additional coordination depending on refrigerated storage capacity within individual markets. Companies that engage their transportation and logistics partners early are better positioned to understand capacity, infrastructure and market-specific considerations before freight begins moving.
Looking ahead, Puerto Rico’s continued investment in modernizing its electrical grid has the potential to strengthen the island’s manufacturing sector and attract additional industrial investment. Across the broader Caribbean, Jacksonville’s transportation network continues to provide frequent sailings for containers, automobiles and breakbulk cargo, giving manufacturers and shippers reliable access to key regional markets.
After more than 30 years in the maritime industry, one lesson has remained constant: companies that view the Caribbean as a long-term strategic market—not simply a short-term opportunity—are the ones that build the strongest supply chains and achieve the greatest success.
