Companies file complaint against Puerto Rico Port
A group of Puerto Rico companies have filed a complaint with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission against the Mayaguez Port Commission and a private company that is operating and developing the port.
Western Holding Group, which operates the vessel Caribbean Express between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic; Marine Express; and Corporacion Ferries del Caribe claim that a lease they have at the port is not being honored and that this violates the 1984 Shipping Act.
The companies asked the FMC to require the port commission and the Holland Group Port Investment (Mayaguez) to end the alleged violations and for reparations of $25 million.
The FMC has assigned the complaint to its Office of Administrative Law Judges.
Holland Group described itself as a Puerto Rico-based development company formed by Dutch and U.S. interests, including local entrepreneur Jose Gonzzales, and holds a 60-year concession to redevelop the Mayag'ez port. It wants to create new cruise ship routes to make the Port of Mayag'ez a new tourism center.