Ocean Freight: Mexico’s Gateway to the World

Maritime transport remains the backbone of Mexico’s cargo movement, and now, amid global trade volatility and geopolitical shifts, the country’s ports are stepping up to become engines of national growth and global connectivity. 

According to CANACAR, 29.63% of Mexico’s domestic cargo moved by sea in 2023, while ports handled a record 9.38 million TEUs in 2024, up 12% year-on-year, reports SEMAR’s General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine (CGPMM). Of this, 99% corresponded to international trade, equivalent to 59.1 million t of containerized cargo, underscoring Mexico’s deep integration into global supply chains and the strategic role of its maritime gateways.

“In 2024, Mexican ports handled over 272 million tons of cargo, with more than 80% being commercial, showing steady growth. Preliminary 2025 data indicate mixed trends due to global trade disruptions, while the Pacific coast continues to handle 60-70% of total volume. Port modernization boosts economic growth by creating thousands of jobs and driving regional development through expanded infrastructure and logistics services,” says José Manuel Urreta, President, Cámara Mexicana de la Industria del Transporte Marítimo (CAMEINTRAM).

Global Context: A Fragile Maritime Outlook

Global shipping, which moves over 80% of the world’s merchandise trade, is entering a period of fragile growth, rising costs, and mounting uncertainty, according to UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). After firm expansion last year, seaborne trade is projected to nearly stall in 2025, with volumes growing just 0.5%. Long-distance rerouting caused by geopolitical tensions drove a record 6% increase in ton-miles in 2024, but this came at the cost of efficiency and stability.

Political tensions, new tariffs, and shifting shipping routes are redefining the geography of global trade. The United States and several trading partners have introduced new measures, including tariffs and port fees for certain foreign-built or foreign-operated vessels, which may further affect costs and routing decisions. These shifts have led to more rerouting, skipped port calls, longer journeys, and higher overall transport costs. Energy shipping is also evolving as coal and oil volumes decline due to decarbonization efforts, while gas trade continues to expand.

Modernizing for Competitiveness

The Mexican government has launched an ambitious national plan to modernize and expand six key ports, Ensenada, Manzanillo-Cuyutlan, Lazaro Cardenas, Acapulco, Veracruz, and Progreso, combining MX$55.2 billion (US$2.96 billion) in public funding with MX$241 billion (US$12.9 billion) in private investment. The objective: to transform Mexico’s port system into a global logistics leader capable of handling rising trade volumes, attracting new investment, and enhancing regional development, MBN reports.

Digitalization is already playing a key role in Mexico’s port transformation. According to Mexico’s National Customs Agency (ANAM) data, Maritime single windows and port community systems are reducing bottlenecks and increasing efficiency in leading ports such as Manzanillo and Veracruz, where customs revenue grew 24% year-on-year to MX$493.8 billion (US$26.8 billion) between January and August 2025. Manzanillo alone accounted for MX$124.4 billion (US$6.8 billion), a quarter of all maritime customs revenue.

“Ports must move beyond cargo transfer to become integrated, tech-driven hubs that connect industrial and supply chains. Achieving this requires developing global standards, training specialized talent, and advancing low-carbon maritime infrastructure powered by new technologies to ensure long-term, sustainable growth,” shares Jiawei Mei, Operational Director, COSCO Shipping Lines.

Addressing Bottlenecks and Building Capacity

Despite record cargo volumes, Mexico’s port system remains highly dependent on a few nodes, Manzanillo, Lazaro Cardenas, Altamira, and Veracruz handle over 91% of international container traffic. This concentration poses operational and capacity challenges as demand surges with nearshoring and trade diversification.

Fitch Ratings recently downgraded its mid-year outlook for North American ports to deteriorating, citing tariff uncertainty and sluggish economic activity. Yet Latin America remains more resilient thanks to long-term contracts and project pipelines. In this context, Mexico’s focus on port decentralization and multi-port investment could mitigate supply chain risks and ease congestion, reports MBN.

Environmental and digital transitions are central to the port agenda. The IMO’s upcoming Net-Zero Framework will introduce a global GHG pricing mechanism by 2028, demanding significant investment in alternative fuels and clean port infrastructure. Only 8% of the world’s fleet is equipped for alternative fuels, underlining the urgency of modernization.

Private operators like APM Terminals are leading with sustainability investments. The company announced a MX$3 billion (US$163 million) modernization plan for Puerto Progreso to enhance efficiency, integrate renewable energy, and generate over 1,300 jobs. 

“While there are still bottlenecks and areas for improvement, the key to overcoming them lies in creating conditions that allow cargo to move more efficiently. This requires close coordination among authorities, customs, ports, and customs brokers, to align processes and refine operational details. Strengthening this collaboration is essential to achieving a more agile and efficient flow of goods across the country,” says Emmanuel Neri, Head of the Investment Promotion and Business Development Unit, Corredor Interoceánico del Istmo de Tehuantepec (CIIT).

Collaboration and Vision

UNCTAD and SEMAR both stress that the future of maritime transport will depend on public-private collaboration, coordinated investment, and digital integration across the logistics chain. For Mexico, this means aligning federal, state, and industry efforts to turn ports into anchors for economic growth, employment, and innovation.

“We must be aware of the impact we leave on the country and local communities. When discussing infrastructure modernization, it is essential to integrate decarbonization into Mexico’s port operations. Moreover, ports should be viewed not only within Mexico’s domestic context but as part of a broader regional supply chain. Given its strategic geography on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, Mexico is ideally positioned to become a key regional logistics hub, strengthening its role in global trade,” states Beatriz Yera, Managing Director, APM Terminals.