Mexico Launches US$16 Billion Plan to Modernize Six Key Ports

Mexican authorities are presenting a plan to modernize the country’s national port system, targeting six key ports: Ensenada, Manzanillo-Cuyutlan, Lazaro Cardenas, Acapulco, Veracruz, and Progreso. The plan aims to boost maritime competitiveness, improve logistics infrastructure, and attract record levels of public and private investment. It combines MX$55.2 billion (US$2.96 billion) in public funding with MX$241 billion (US$12.94 billion) in private investment to position Mexico as a global logistics leader.

Ensenada: Strengthening Cross-Border Maritime Infrastructure

In Ensenada, SEMAR is investing in both commercial and tourism infrastructure. Public investments include the construction of a Maritime Traffic Control Center, which began in 2023 and is 70% complete, with expected delivery by September 2025 (MX$116 million). A dock expansion project will begin in August 2025 and conclude in June 2026 with an investment of MX$600 million. Additional protective infrastructure, including breakwaters and a jetty in El Sauzal, is scheduled to start in August 2026 and be completed by 2028, representing an investment of MX$4.9 million. A Linear Park at Playa San Miguel is also planned for August to November 2026, representing an investment of MX$20 million.

Private investment in the port totals MX$1.5 billion for a new ferry terminal connecting Ensenada to San Diego. Construction is slated to begin in January 2026 and finish in December 2028. A separate international passenger terminal, representing an investment of MX$16 million, which began in April 2025, is already 75% complete and is expected to be delivered in Aug. 2025. Other projects include a multi-use terminal (MX$120 million), a cruise terminal (MX$2 billion), and a tourist marina (MX$120 million), all in the tendering process. In response to opposition over converting El Sauzal into a cargo and fishing port, SEMAR will conduct public consultations and environmental impact studies, to be led by CICESE Ensenada.

Manzanillo-Cuyutlan: Building Latin America’s Top Container Port

Manzanillo is poised to become the top container-handling port in Latin America, says Raymundo Morales, Head, Mexican Navy (SEMAR). Public investment includes the relocation of the PEMEX terminal (MX$994 million), which began in March 2024 and is 30% complete, with final delivery expected in October 2027. Construction of the new Puerto Nuevo in the Cuyutlan Lagoon began dredging works in July 2025, representing an investment of MX$18.7 billion, with a completion goal of July 2027. The port will house five terminals, each with 1,500m of quay and 100ha of land, and include expanded customs, road, and rail access.

Private investment is being channeled into specialized container terminals. The first phase includes Terminals 2 and 3, with public land preparation (MX$358 million) from September 2025 to May 2026, followed by private construction (MX$40.9 billion) from May 2026 to May 2028. The second phase will deliver Terminals 4, 5, and 6, with public preparation (MX$400 million) from September 2026 to January 2028, and private development (MX$47.6 billion) from March 2028 to Septamber 2030.

Additional investments in the San Pedrito terminal include a MX$676 million project to rehabilitate a mineral terminal used by Peña Colorada, and a terminal expansion by CONTECON Manzanillo, the only specialized container terminal in San Pedrito, with an investment of MX$3.04 billion.

Lazaro Cardenas: Multi-Modal Development and Urban Integration

Lazaro Cardenas is another strategic port under major transformation. One of the headline projects is the development of La Palma Island, which is now 50% complete with a public investment of MX$4.89 billion. To support the port’s growing capacity, SEMAR is investing in territorial and urban reordering in nearby communities, including La Union and Naranjitos, through a new bypass road (MX$1.61 billion), now 15% complete, expected to finish by December 2029.

Customs expansion is underway with an investment of MX$363 million, begun in June 2025 and 20% complete, aiming for completion in Oct. 2026. To reduce congestion from heavy transport vehicles, a 7.6km city bypass (MX$325 million) will be constructed. SEMAR will also expand the local aerodrome’s runway (MX$140 million) and invest in secured customs precincts.

Private sector contributions are also significant. APM Terminals is investing MX$2.87 billion in terminal expansion, with 50% of the work already completed. Hutchison Ports will invest MX$2.83 billion, with work beginning in July 2025 and concluding by December 2028. SSA is also building an auto terminal with a MX$54 million investment, and an expansion of the auto terminal began in May 2024 with 10% progress to date.

Acapulco: Redefining the Port for Tourism

SEMAR’s vision for Acapulco is centered entirely on tourism. Public investments include the creation of the “Marinabús” passenger ferry system, with routes from Puerto Marques to central Acapulco. Terminal and garden developments began in June 2025 (MX$170 million), and the Puerto Marques pier is also being upgraded (MX$20 million). Additional works include revitalizing the marginal pier and remodeling the pier, converting restricted port areas into public waterfront space (MX$180 million). The rehabilitation of a multi-use pier is also scheduled between September 2025 and June 2026.

Private investments include a new recreational-commercial complex on the site of the former vehicle terminal (MX$330 million), with construction from August 2025 to December 2026. A new cruise terminal (MX$350 million) will also be built between October 2025 and December 2026 to attract international tourism.

Veracruz: Unlocking the Full Potential of the Northern Bay

In Veracruz, efforts are focused on completing and protecting the northern bay development. The centerpiece project is the construction of a 3km breakwater, currently in the bidding stage and scheduled to start in September 2025 (MX$7.75 billion), with completion by December 2028. To support this effort, the port will receive upgrades in power supply through substation investments (MX$780 million) and in security infrastructure (MX$101 million), which began in June 2024 and are now 55% complete.

Restoration work on the Plaza del Orgullo and Heroismo Veracruzano is 96% complete and set to finish in November 2025. Customs operations are being relocated and expanded into the new northern bay, with an investment of MX$1.14 billion that began in August 2023. A Maritime Traffic Control Tower will also be built with MX$194 million.

Private investors are contributing to a new tourist pier on the pier (MX$348 million), a mixed-use cargo terminal (MX$4.05 billion), and expansion of container and customs handling facilities.

Progreso: Transforming into the Yucatan Peninsula’s Trade Hub

In Progreso, development is already underway. The state government has invested MX$1.5 billion to begin dredging the navigation channel. Once that is complete in January the federal government will invest an additional MX$9.2 billion. The project includes the creation of two 40ha platforms to increase port capacity for cargo, cruise ships, and fuel shipments. As the only port currently serving the Mexican Caribbean, Progreso is positioned to become the primary maritime gateway for the Yucatán Peninsula.

Additional Strategic Investments Across Mexico

Beyond the six focus ports, additional private investments are being made across the country. Guaymas will see MX$40.7 billion in private investment, Topolobampo will receive MX$84.8 billion, and Altamira MX$802 million. Feasibility studies and upgrades are underway in Punta Colonet, Matamoros, Ciudad del Carmen, Seybaplaya, and Puerto Morelos.

In the Interoceanic Corridor, work continues on the terminals of Salina Cruz and Coatzacoalcos. In Puerto Chiapas, a breakwater is being built to reduce sedimentation, and in Dos Bocas, rail infrastructure is being developed to serve the Olmeca Refinery.