US$150 Million Loss Looms at Manzanillo Port

Last week's disruption at the Manzanillo customs facility could result in losses of up to US$150 million if operations are not fully normalized this week, says the Maquiladora and Export Manufacturing Industry Association (INDEX) Occidente.

According to Guillermo del Rio, President, although customs control was re-established on May 15, 2025, and transport that had been stranded began to be released on May 16, 2025, operations had not normalized as of May 19, resulting in a large quantity of material accumulated that has not been dispatched. "We are seeing railways beginning to reactivate for bulk cargo, and transport that was stuck in the port is starting to leave. New customs processing appointments have not yet started to be issued, however. We will push this to normalize as soon as possible, and efforts are underway to get more personnel to help clear the backlog,” del Río stressed.

Del Río said the situation will have a strong impact on government revenue collection, logistic providers, companies operating in the port, and the entire export industry. "This week we are going to start seeing potential production line stoppages and failures to deliver purchase orders on time," Del Rio added.

Operations at the Port of Manzanillo were halted on May 12, 2025, by customs workers demanding improved labor conditions, more staffing, and an expansion of customs operating hours. They cited ongoing concerns about working conditions, which they allege have deteriorated since Navy Captain Rodolfo Torres Chavez assumed leadership of Manzanillo customs on April 15, 2025, reports T21. 

The Port of Manzanillo plays a critical role in Mexico's trade as the busiest container port on the country's Pacific coast. According to port authority data, it handled 1.3 million TEUs in the first four months of 2025, a 1.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024.