Interoceanic Corridor to Be Fully Operational by 1H26

During a press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) will be fully completed by 1H26.

Juan Carlos Vera, Director, CIIT, provided an update on the progress of this national strategic project. The project’s terrestrial zone of influence spans four states — Veracruz, Oaxaca, Tabasco, and Chiapas — encompassing 105 municipalities and impacting over 4.6 million residents. Additionally, the maritime zone connects four key ports: Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, Dos Bocas, Tabasco, and Puerto Chiapas. These ports are linked by 1,200km of railway operated by Ferrocarril del Istmo de Tehuantepec, integrating 10 Development Poles for Well-being (PDBs).

The CIIT also shares a connection with Guatemala through Line "K," which dates back to July 2024 when then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Raymundo Morales, General Director, CIIT, explained in a press conference that the line would link Ciudad Ixtepec, Oaxaca, and Ciudad Hidalgo, Chiapas, near Guatemala. “We will strengthen our ties with Guatemala and promote the development of southeastern Mexico and Central America,” they said at the time.

Further expansion includes additional PDBs in Teapa, Tabasco, and two in Tapachula, Chiapas. To safeguard the corridor’s infrastructure, a Marine Infantry Brigade with 22 operational units and over 2,400 personnel has been deployed.

Railway Rehabilitation Progress

The corridor includes multiple railway lines undergoing extensive rehabilitation:

• Line “Z” (Coatzacoalcos-Salina Cruz): Covering 307km, this line saw 210km rehabilitated, including 82 railway bridges and 290 drainage projects. It has been fully operational since Dec. 22, 2023, transporting over 63,000 passengers and 316,000 metric tons of cargo.

• Line “FA” (Coatzacoalcos-Palenque, Chiapas): Spanning 310km, the line’s full rehabilitation included 91 railway bridges and 667 drainage works. Operational since Sep. 13, 2023, it has transported over 19,000 passengers and 29,000 metric tons of cargo. Future development includes transshipment yards at Roberto Ayala (Huimanguillo) and Pakal-Ná (Palenque).

• Line “K” (Ixtepec, Oaxaca-Ciudad Hidalgo, Chiapas): This is the longest line at 459km. It is undergoing staged rehabilitation, with Segment 1 (Ixtepec-Tonala) at 87% completion. The entire line is expected to be fully operational by 2Q25, with Segment 1 operational by July 2024. A major milestone is the elevated viaduct in Huixtla, reducing 14 level crossings.

Development Poles 

The corridor integrates 10 PDBs across Veracruz and Oaxaca, eight of which have been awarded through international public bidding. These hubs focus on industrial and agro-industrial sectors, including automotive, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and metals. Notable developments include:

• Coatzacoalcos I and II, Salina Cruz: Awarded to Desarrolladora Multimodal del Istmo, focusing on vehicle and auto parts distribution.

• Texistepec, San Juan Evangelista, Matías Romero, Santa María Mixtequilla: Concessioned to Proistmo and Profharmax, targeting agro-industrial and pharmaceutical sectors.

• Asunción Ixtaltepec (Chivela): Managed by MARZAL, specializing in high-quality aluminum recycling.

• Ixtepec: A green energy hub undergoing public and indigenous consultations.

• San Blas Atempa: With over 300ha, this PDB has agro-industrial and metallurgical potential, with its bidding process closing on Feb. 24, 2024.

Port Modernization and Interoceanic Trade

Salina Cruz and Coatzacoalcos ports are undergoing major upgrades to handle general cargo, agricultural commodities, minerals, and hydrocarbons. Notably, the Coatzacoalcos port has a 2km dock, with a key segment concessioned to Terminales del Istmo de Salina Cruz-Coatzacoalcos for interoceanic container traffic. A pilot interoceanic automobile transport project is also in the works, utilizing specialized Supermax rail equipment and 200m long car carriers.