Belize Port Expansion Project Presented to Chetumal Businesses

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Business leaders and academic representatives in Chetumal met with Belize’s former ambassador to the United States, Francisco Daniel Gutiérrez, to learn about the planned expansion of Belize’s port and discuss investment opportunities.

The Belizean government has approved the project, which aims to boost cargo capacity and allow next-generation cruise ships to dock. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027 and conclude by 2030.

Gutiérrez presented the expansion as a chance to strengthen commercial ties with Chetumal, the capital of Quintana Roo, and noted that Belize plans to finance the work through a public-private partnership.

Local business leaders acknowledged that Belize has granted the environmental authorization for the project, which includes mitigation and environmental protection measures for the construction phases. They also noted, however, that Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day development planned for the southern zone has been canceled.

The main concern voiced during the meeting was Belize’s high tariffs on the transit of goods and materials. Business leaders also pointed out that merchandise can be imported from other ports and does not necessarily have to pass through Belize.

Following the presentation, Gutiérrez and Artemio Santos, a strategic projects coordinator for the government of Quintana Roo, agreed to establish working groups to define potential investment lines, including opportunities tied to the Polo de Desarrollo del Bienestar (Welfare Development Pole).