Interoceanic Corridor Infrastructure Opportunities in Central America
Bron:
Nederlandse ambassade in San JoséThe Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in San José has identified major interoceanic infrastructure projects underway in Central America. Countries like Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua are advancing rail and port megaprojects aimed at boosting trade capacity, reducing dependence on the Panama Canal, and improving connectivity between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. These projects offer extensive opportunities for Dutch expertise in sustainable port engineering, freight rail systems, logistics infrastructure, and public-private partnerships.
Developments.
Due to climate-driven droughts, the Panama Canal faces challenges of the operation of the Panama Canal. In 2024, transit slots were reduced to 22-24 ships, where their normal capacity is 34 to 36. As climate change is expected to challenge the Panama Canal operations in the future, Central America is experiencing renewed momentum in developing alternative interoceanic freight corridors. Multiple multibillion-dollar megaprojects are now moving from concept to execution phase, opening the door for international cooperation, engineering input, and supply chain development. And thus opportunities for Dutch businesses in a variety of sectors like port engineering, train engineering, environmental planning and consultancy.
Opportunities for Dutch Businesses
Costa Rica
- Limón - North Huetar Hybrid Freight Train: $500 million | 260 km + 15m bridge | Electric/diesel-electric freight rail corridor
Feasibility ongoing, tender expected June 2025, phased construction through 2028.
For whom does this currently represent an opportunity?
Railway designers, port connectors, electrification experts, and logistics planners.
Why Dutch businesses?
Dutch firms excel in integrated transport design and electrified rail systems. With sustainability and climate resilience at its core, the project aligns with Dutch strengths in clean mobility and water-smart infrastructure.
Honduras
- Interoceanic Rail Corridor: $10–20 billion | 391 km freight rail, highways, dry ports, and deepwater ports | Stage 1: 4 rail and highway construction upgrades or new constructions | Stage 2: Port & more rail line construction.
Phase 1 under construction, Phase 2 planned 10–15 year horizon.
For whom does this currently represent an opportunity?
Civil engineers, dredging companies, rail constructors and engineers, environmental consultants, and PPP structuring firms.
Why Dutch businesses?
Dutch expertise in large-scale waterway engineering, dredging, dry port design, and public-private project delivery can support Honduras’s vision to become a strategic freight hub across the Americas.
Guatemala
- Corredor Interoceánico de Guatemala (CIG): $10 billion | 372 km multimodal corridor with dual ports, rail, highways, and free zones
Land regularization and financial structuring (by Token Issuance) ongoing, construction expected post-2026.
- REMED Railway Revival (Private Initiative): $1.75 billion | 800 km new/upgraded railway including bridges & tunnels
Privately financed, opportunity for subcontracting and partnerships.
For whom does this currently represent an opportunity?
Rail system engineers, port engineers, dreding companies, (environmental) consultants, customs infrastructure experts.
Why Dutch businesses?
Dutch companies are experienced in freight rail design and planning, port engineering and customs zone planning, and flood-resilient port development, matching Guatemala’s need for scalable, efficient intermodal systems.
Nicaragua
- Interoceanic Canal: $50 billion | 445 km canal with ports, airports, rail & pipeline corridor
(Project stalled but recent political signals suggest reactivation is under review.)
- Bluefields Deepwater Port: $500 million | Caribbean logistics port | CAMC Engineering as EPC
Construction tentatatively anticipated 2025, subcontracting and equipment supply openings expected. | Involvement by Arcadis N.V. in 2018 and Chinese firms have signed contract for construction in 2015
For whom does this currently represent an opportunity?
Marine engineers, port equipment suppliers, environmental consultants and dredging contractors.
Why Dutch businesses?
Dutch port developers such as Royal Boskalis and Arcadis have prior involvement. Other Dutch firms are recognized internationally and can contribute specialized skills in port design, marine sustainability, and dredging, while navigating complex regulatory environments.
More Information
Here procurement pages per country and important tender news by BCIE.
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Country |
Procurement Platform / Source |
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Costa Rica |
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Honduras |
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Guatemala |
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Nicaragua |
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Regional (CA) |
We recommend attending regional maritime and railway trade shows and port investment forums (e.g., Intermodal Latin America, REPICA-COCATRAM events) and establish partnerships with local engineering firms or port authorities through PPP consortia or blended finance mechanisms.
The Dutch Embassy to Central America in San José, Costa Rica has a wide range of contacts for every project mentioned and of possible partners, authorities, and organizations involved. Contact us for more information on projects, upcoming trade events and possible contacts for partnerships.
Contact
Interested in exploring interoceanic projects in Central America?
Contact:
Hans E. Buhrs, MBA
Senior Officer, Economic Affairs
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for Central America
hans.buhrs@minbuza.nl | +506 8427 8987
www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/