Multimillion Port Upgrade to Anchor Michoacan’s Development

Mexico’s Ministry of Economy will triple efforts to drive economic development, attract investment, and generate jobs in Michoacan, says Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard. These efforts come as part of Plan Michoacan, a development strategy built on 12 pillars, over 100 actions, and MX$57 billion (US$3.1 billion) in mixed investment to strengthen the state by addressing structural causes of insecurity through education, healthcare, housing, and dignified employment.

“The President asked us to triple the effort because economic development is essential to the Plan, creating employment, increasing investment, and opening opportunities,” says Ebrard.

The plan’s economic component centers on three Development Poles:

1. The Bajio Development Pole near Morelia, which will be accelerated to expand ongoing projects

2. A new Agroindustrial Development Pole in Uruapan, to be launched immediately to boost value-added agricultural production

3. The modernization of the Port of Lazaro Cardenas in coordination with the Mexican Navy (SEMAR), including the creation of a cold chain infrastructure and expanded container terminals to support exports.

In a related statement, Ebrard confirmed that the federal government and private sector will jointly invest MX$14 billion (US$750 million) to upgrade the Port of Lazaro Cardenas, reports El Economista. The investment is part of a broader national effort to strengthen Mexico’s maritime infrastructure and economic competitiveness.

This initiative aligns with the federal government’s national port modernization plan, which was announced on July 23, 2025, and involves over MX$296 billion (US$15.9 billion) in public and private investment across nine strategic ports, including Ensenada, Manzanillo, Lazaro Cardenas, Acapulco, Veracruz, Progreso, Guaymas, Topolobampo, and Altamira.

Within this framework, Lazaro Cardenas is evolving into a multimodal hub integrating new terminal expansions by APM Terminals and Hutchison Ports, the La Palma Island project, and enhanced customs and road infrastructure. Meanwhile, Ensenada and Manzanillo-Cuyutlan are receiving major tourism and logistics investments, and Acapulco, Veracruz, and Progreso are undergoing capacity and dredging upgrades.