History
With over 40 Years of experience, founded by the naval architect and engineer, Mr. Luis Contreras Peña in 1984, Ciramar Shipyards has established itself as a leading provider of ship repair, maintenance, and construction services in the Dominican Republic and the wider Caribbean region. Located in Calderas Bay, Ciramar hosts state-of-the-art facilities and floating docks capable of handling a wide range of vessels. Ciramar’s client-facing approach infallibly delivers innovative, reliable, and cost-effective solutions that meet international standards. Located in Calderas Bay, Ciramar hosts state-of-the-art facilities and floating docks capable of handling a wide range of vessels.
+40 years
of experience in the maritime businessIn Memoriam: Engineer Luis Contreras Peña (1935–2024)
DirectorEngineer Luis Contreras Peña dedicated his life to building the Dominican Republic’s maritime future with quiet conviction and unwavering purpose. Born in Santiago on July 22, 1935, he was raised by his parents, Dr. Darío Contreras and Julia Lavinia Peña Fernández, who taught him to value service, honesty, and perseverance — principles he lived by in every stage of his life.
His journey led him first to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and later to the University of Michigan, where he became the first Dominican to graduate as a Naval Architect and Marine Engineer. When he shared his vision of developing a shipbuilding and repair industry back home, a professor laughed at the idea. But that vision never wavered — and in time, he proved it possible. Engineer Contreras Peña returned to the Dominican Republic with the determination to build what others couldn’t yet imagine. He founded Ciramar in 1984, setting the standard for ship repair in the Caribbean.
His approach to leadership was rooted in presence: he walked the shipyard grounds daily, checking on each project, offering quiet encouragement, and making sure no one went unseen.
Even in his later years, he remained committed to sharing knowledge. He taught at the Naval Academy and hosted informal workshops at the office, ensuring that every team member understood the heart of the work. His book, Introducción a la Arquitectura y Términos Navales, published in 2014, remains a foundational text for aspiring naval engineers.
Those who worked with him describe a bond that went far beyond the professional. Many saw in him a mentor, a protector, and some even as a father figure. He believed in the dignity of work and the people who carried it out.
Engineer Luis Contreras Peña lived by Acta Non Verba, or actions not words. His legacy endures at Ciramar through the people he mentored, the vessels he brought to life, and the shipyard that will always be powered by the passion in his vision.
In CITCL
has led important financial processesLuis E. Contreras Brea
PresidentEngineer Luis Contreras Brea grew up learning from his father, the first Naval Engineer in the D.R. Shaped by the overflowing passion for shipbuilding and vision for the Dominican maritime industry ingrained in him by his father from a very early age, Luis harbored a purpose. He would live up to his inherited duty to lead and modernize the country’s naval capabilities.
Together, father and son led innovation in the Dominican Republic’s maritime sector, building a reputation for excellence that now extends far beyond national borders. Under Engineer Contreras Brea’s leadership, Ciramar has achieved the addition of new floating docks, cranes, on-site workshops, pontoons, and a state-of-the-art shipbuilding hangar that’s cemented Ciramar as an internationally accredited hub in the Caribbean.
Beyond his success in business, Luis measures the effectiveness of his leadership in the impact he has on his people. He is known for investing in the community that supports Ciramar, funding local projects like vaccine campaigns, training programs, and educational opportunities that open doors for young Dominicans. Within Ciramar, his generosity and open-door policy have earned him the respect and loyalty of his team. He celebrates achievements, stands by his employees in challenging times, and leads with a conviction that progress is only meaningful when it uplifts everyone involved.
His vision has remained in line with his father’s, a deep commitment to human and national development ensuring that his father’s legacy evolves with every generation.
Vision
To be the Caribbean’s premier shipyard and maritime service hub, driving innovation, regional growth, and industry leadership.
Mision
To provide high-quality ship repair and shipbuilding services from the Dominican Republic, supporting commercial and military fleets across the Americas through excellence, reliability, and experience.