Navigating Growth: Mexican Ports Expand Their Horizons

As Mexico seeks to strengthen its economic ties and explore innovative pathways for transporting goods, new maritime routes are emerging as compelling alternatives. A major Mexican port has launched a project to increase connectivity with the US and Canada, while a Chinese port launched a route to Mexico. 

Authorities from Veracruz’s Tuxpan Port and Crowley Maritime unveiled a new maritime route for the Cabotage and Short Sea Shipping Work Project (TMCD), which aims to enhance connectivity between the ports of Tuxpan, Veracruz, and Alabama, the US. The announcement was made by the General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine (CGPMM) on Twitter.

The new route, which will open in September 2023, will involve a new multimodal service that will connect Canada, the US and Mexico. A container terminal at the port of Tuxpan will establish a strategic channel for importers and exporters. This short sea route aims to improve cargo operations by offering competitive pricing, faster transit times and safer cargo handling. 

This maritime service will connect with Canadian National's rail network for the transportation of containers. The project initially plans to mobilize 100 20-foot containers (TEU) for imports and 200 TEUs for exports.

In the first half of 2023, the Tuxpan Port had mobilized a total of 7.62 million tons of goods, including general loose and containerized cargo, agricultural and mineral bulk, oil and petroleum products and other fluids, reports SEMAR. This figure represents 13% more than in the same period last year.

On the other side of the world, the Yantai Port, China,  opened its first cargo route to Mexico, reports the Port of Veracruz Customs Brokers Association. The port witnessed the maiden voyage of a vessel carrying cargo construction machinery destined for the Manzanillo Port, Mexico. This route marked Shandong's first cargo line in Mexico and further solidified Manzanillo’s  international presence. 

According to TransporteMX, during the vessel's operation at Yantai Port, a specialized team was formed in collaboration with General Motors, leveraging an integrated service model combining intelligent handling of joint loading and unloading. This team achieved "fast loading and unloading, safety and stability, and optimal cargo matching."

In the first semester of 2023, the Manzanillo Port has mobilized the third largest amount of goods in the country, with 16.4 million tons, just 4.2% less than the same period of last year.