Santiago de Cuba's Guillermon Maoncada port is undergoing a dramatic transformation into a modern multipurpose terminal with involvement of a Chinese company.

China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) is in charge of the port's rehabilitation and modernization project which is slated to be completed in three years.

Santiago de Cuba's port, 890 km southeast of Havana, is the second most important on the Caribbean island after Mariel port, Cuban official daily Granma reported.

Valued at 120 million US dollars, the future multipurpose terminal will facilitate the arrival of ships weighing up to 40,000 tons and will have high-tech port equipment which will possess better control ability.The transformation will enable the port to handle around 565,000 tons of goods per year, local authority said. Currently the port attracts ships with a general load of 20,000 tons.

Other advantages of the transformation include reducing operational costs and improving the organization and administration of resources. The project will give employment to 500 people in the construction and development phases.

The aim of the project is to build a multi-functional jetty which is capable of hosting ships in a dock larger than 231 meters, with 3 gantry cranes, two roofed warehouses and an open-air area for containers, according to the company.

The geographical location of this port, in southeast central Cuba, will make it into a privileged enclave due to its close proximity to important maritime routes.