Nearshoring to Remain a Driver for Growth Despite Challenges

Q: Following the inauguration of DP World’s new freight forwarding office in Mexico City, what strategic role will Mexico play within DP World’s operations in the Americas?

A: DP World, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, is a global logistics and supply chain leader with over 115,000 employees across six continents. Our services include port and terminal operations, freight forwarding (air, sea, and land), contract logistics (value-added warehousing), feeder vessels for regional shipping, and in-house technology solutions. We also manage our own global container fleet.

In the Americas, we have over 16,000 employees across 12 countries, operating 40 logistics facilities and 14 ports, including: Caucedo (Dominican Republic), Callao (Peru), Santos (Brasil), San Antonio (Chile), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Paramaribo(Suriname), Prince Rupert (Canada)

Mexico has become one of our top priorities due to its strategic location, strong industrial corridor, and nearshoring momentum with the United States and Canada. We began operations in 2021 and now have a presence in Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Queretaro, and Ciudad Juarez. We also have contract logistics hubs in San Luis Potosi, Toluca, and Puebla, mainly serving the automotive and technology sectors. Last year, we delivered an end-to-end intermodal solution for an automotive client in Aguascalientes by using our own specialized containers to optimize vehicle exports to the United States and Canada. We are also connecting Mexican exporters to the Middle East through our terminal in Jebel Ali, Dubai, strengthening Mexico’s integration into global trade flows.

Q: What are DP World’s main industry verticals and areas of strength in Mexico?

A: In Mexico, and across the Americas, our strongest vertical is automotive, where we work closely with OEMs as well as Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 suppliers. We also have a solid footprint in electronics and technology, particularly with OEMS and Tiers manufacturers, and we see significant growth opportunities in this sector over the coming years.

We are also expanding in industrial manufacturing and in consumer goods and retail. Given the rapid growth of retail and e-commerce, we are investing in multi-client warehouses that allow us to offer competitive pricing while providing end-to-end solutions. These include not only storage but also first- and last-mile services, with integrated systems that give customers full tracking and visibility of their inventory at all times.

Q: What makes DP World fundamentally different from other service providers in the country? 

A: What sets us apart is the ability to deliver true end-to-end solutions. We do not just provide warehousing or freight forwarding, we support clients with network design, supply chain expansion, and service-level optimization using advanced analytics and technology.

A key differentiator is our in-house software, Cargoes Flow and Cargoes Visibility, which give customers real-time inventory tracking across the entire supply chain, including customs processes. This visibility allows them to react quickly to disruptions at borders or ports, while we provide alternative solutions to ensure efficiency. These tools, powered by AI, are constantly evolving to not only enhance visibility but also optimize established routes, improve compliance with local regulations, and ultimately disrupt traditional supply chain models by making them more agile and resilient.

Q: What steps is DP World taking to ensure its technology benefits suppliers and clients?

A: Technology adoption is not only about implementation; it also depends on how it reaches and benefits partners and clients. At DP World, we support our strategic suppliers with training and, when necessary, investment to ensure mutual growth and strengthen collaboration. Their input helps us enhance our technology, which ultimately benefits the end customer.

For clients, we provide training, software installation and web live capabilities, and demonstrations to ensure they maximize the value of our tools. At the same time, we work closely with local governments and customs authorities in key ports such as Manzanillo and Lazaro Cardenas to streamline processes. By integrating accurate, real-time information from arrival to dispatch, we ensure customers and potential clients have reliable, timely data to manage their supply chains more efficiently.

Q: What alliances has DP World built to increase its sales pipeline and influence on regulatory frameworks in Mexico? 

A: Since last year, we have been proud members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Monterrey, and we are looking to expand this presence to Mexico City, Guadalajara, and other regions through partnerships with industry clusters. We are also active in the automotive supply forums in Bajio and pursuing additional alliances to strengthen our footprint and reach new clients.

DP World is well recognized in Asia, the European Union, South Africa and the United States. These alliances in Mexico are not only about brand visibility but also about sharing best practices, particularly in the automotive sector. Through these associations, we showcase our technology, continuous improvement processes, and logistics expertise to partners and clients.

We are actively engaging with programs such as IMMEX, which is undergoing significant changes, to ensure our teams are trained, certified, and able to deliver compliant solutions with fiscal benefits for our clients. We are also certifying our warehouses under CTPAT and OEA standards, so customers can feel confident that their operations meet the highest levels of security and compliance.

Q: What specific logistics services are increasing in demand as supply chains evolve? 

A: Despite global challenges such as tariffs and regulatory shifts, automotive remains our strongest growth sector. Clients, both existing and new, are demanding more efficient, disruptive solutions to optimize their supply chains. Technology, particularly AI, plays a key role in breaking paradigms and driving efficiencies.

Electronics, automotive and industrial manufacturing are also expanding rapidly, with Asian suppliers increasingly entering key regions like the Bajío. They require services such as import logistics, inland transportation, warehousing, and last-mile delivery to OEMs and assembly plants.

One of the most requested solutions is multi-client warehousing, which allows companies to share infrastructure and reduce costs associated with tariffs, storage, and distribution. These facilities also support value-added services, enabling us to store raw materials or finished products, prepare them for production, and deliver them on time. Customers across industries are seeking integrated, end-to-end solutions within a single ecosystem. 

Q: From DP World’s perspective, how have Mexico’s main logistics routes changed and which corridors are now in higher demand? 

A: Throughout 2025, we have seen strong growth in trade flows between Asia and Mexico, particularly through Manzanillo and Lazaro Cardenas. These routes are used not only by Asian clients but also by automakers sourcing raw materials and components from Asia and India. On the Atlantic side, Veracruz and Altamira are key entry points for goods from the European Union and also serve as export hubs for finished vehicles produced in Saltillo, which are increasingly heading toward the Caribbean and the United States.

Cross-border trade with the United States remains critical, with high volumes moving through Laredo, El Paso, and Tijuana. While congestion in Laredo has pushed some flows to El Paso, infrastructure improvements in Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, along with the expansion of customs operations at the Colombia crossing, have enhanced connectivity and efficiency.

These developments allow us to offer more comprehensive door-to-door solutions, serving not just border destinations but also reaching deep into Mexico’s industrial regions, including the Bajio, Mexico City, Puebla, and the State of Mexico.

Q: What new investments in Mexico’s port and terminal infrastructure is DP World considering?

A: We are evaluating significant investment opportunities in Mexico’s port sector. Manzanillo is experiencing congestion, so we are exploring alternative options to strengthen our maritime operations and terminal footprint in the country. The objective is to identify the option that best serves both DP World’s long-term strategy and the needs of the Mexican market.

Q: What are your expectations for the future of the industry over the next three to five years, and how do you envision DP World’s role in shaping and leading that transformation? 

A: Over the next three to five years, supply chains will continue facing major disruption. That is why DP World is investing heavily in technology to help clients optimize routes, manage costs, and adapt to shifting tariff and trade dynamics. Beyond logistics solutions, we are also exploring new commercial models that deliver added value in the short and medium term.

Sustainability will be another defining trend. DP World has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2040 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with an interim target of reducing nearly 30% of our carbon footprint by 2030. In Mexico, this means developing “green warehouses” equipped with solar panels, water recycling systems, and waste reduction initiatives. On the transport side, we are using technology to reduce empty backhauls and working with third-party providers to incorporate electric and sustainable fleets. We plan to expand our footprint in Mexico by adding new warehouses and offices, strengthening both our commercial and operational presence.

Q: As 2026 approaches, what are DP World’s main goals for its operations in Mexico? 

A: Our focus is on expanding services, strengthening our footprint, and deepening our presence in Mexico. We are seeing strong growth with both new and existing clients, and one of our key priorities is to scale our air freight operations. By the end of this year, we expect to secure additional certifications that will allow us to operate as a competitive air freight provider in Mexico and globally.

We are also expanding our physical presence by opening new multi-client warehouses in Queretaro, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, while keeping flexible to accelerate projects in other regions as demand requires. In parallel, we continue growing our offices in northern and central Mexico to get closer to clients.

Nearshoring will remain a growth driver despite challenges. We plan to leverage innovation, integration, and sustainable technologies to help clients adapt, while also surpassing our projected sales and staff growth. We are exceeding forecasts and building three-to-five-year contracts with key clients across our priority verticals.

DP World is a leading global logistics provider headquartered in Dubai. It enhances global trade through end to end solutions such as, port & terminal operations, logistics, maritime services, and free trade zones.