CIIT Must be Resilient to Climate, Social-Related Disruptions

To fulfill its potential as a strategic logistics hub, the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) must prioritize physical security. Experts emphasize the need for CIIT to develop robust infrastructure capable of withstanding natural disasters, and prevent disruptions caused by social issues.

Antonio Arranz, President, DHL Express, said CIIT must ensure uninterrupted operations, especially when handling high-value materials in areas prone to social conflicts. Historically, Southern states have been consistently affected by demonstrations, which disrupt the transportation of goods through railways.

Furthermore, due to Mexico's recurrent experience with large waves of migration, the project must also be prepared for migrant presence. On Sept. 19, 2023, Grupo México's railway subsidiary, Ferromex, halted the operations of 60 trains. This action was prompted by a series of incidents along Ferromex's routes involving several injured migrants attempting to board the company's freight trains to reach the United States. The company reported finding over 1,500 migrants in its operation yards in Torreon, Coahuila; over 800 in Irapuato, Guanajuato; 1,000 in San Francisco de los Romo, Aguascalientes; and more than 1,000 along the route from Chihuahua to Juarez. Although these incidents did not occur within CIIT's route, migrant waves traverse the states where it operates. This underscores the need for preventive measures to avoid accidents.

Arranz emphasized the critical importance of developing and maintaining a comprehensive and resilient infrastructure, which includes roads, railways, ports, and other facilities. This infrastructure must also be capable of withstanding natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes.

Carlos Sedano, responsible for the Investment and Commercial Development Unit of the Interoceanic Corridor, highlighted the progress made, including the projection of moving more than 100,000 containers in the next three years and the successful tender of seven development poles to the private sector. These advances are crucial for consolidating the corridor's potential as a strategic logistics hub in southern Mexico. 

CIIT’s impact could go beyond industrial development, as it features expansion projections until 2030. With approximately 90,000 projected homes and a conducive environment for investment in strategic sectors, estimates suggest that in five years, the corridor could generate between US$8 and US$10 million daily, highlighting its strategic importance for the national economy and Mexico’s Southeast, which according to President López Obrador has been historically marginated.

With the Panama Canal susceptible to droughts, CIIT offers a promising alternative route for goods from Asia to the East Coast of the United States or Europe. “ CIIT's potential as a game-changer has not been fully recognized internationally, particularly considering global waterway issues like those affecting the Panama Canal. CIIT is a long-term catalyst, not an immediate solution,” said Tatiana Clouthier, former Minister of Economy, in an interview with MBN.