Nine years after receiving its first ship at the port of Lázaro Cárdenas, APM Terminals Mexico’s reflection is not nostalgic, but strategic. What is now one of the most sophisticated terminals on the Mexican Pacific coast began as a gamble that many considered risky . “From its inception, it was conceived as a terminal for the future,” recalled Beatriz Yera, its CEO, in an interview with T21. And she’s not exaggerating: it was the first with a fully automated yard at the time, a technological decision that, she admitted, “frightened many, even globally.”
That initial vision set the course. Automation wasn’t a luxury; it was the foundation for standardizing processes, enhancing operational excellence, and transforming the terminal into a precision machine. “If there’s one terminal in Mexico that has looked to the future from the very beginning, it’s this one. And it will continue to look to the future,” he asserted. The next frontier has already been set: to become the first terminal in the country—and possibly in Latin America—whose energy source is entirely green .
In mid-January of this year, the company announced that it had signed a contract with Iberdrola Mexico to supply the terminal with up to 95% of its electricity from certified renewable sources by the third quarter of 2026; while the remaining 5% will come from solar panels.
But the story of these nine years can’t be explained solely by infrastructure. It’s understood by how the terminal integrated itself into the regional dynamic. Yera emphasized that Pacific ports can’t be viewed solely in domestic terms. A significant part of the operation is transshipment , and therein lies one of the keys to growth. Last year, the terminal grew by more than 20%, driven by new regional services. It’s not just about handling imports, but about capitalizing on Mexico’s geographic potential.
Furthermore, the upcoming inauguration of Phase II of the APM Terminals Lázaro Cárdenas expansion project reinforces this logic. With equipment already installed, tested, and permits practically finalized, the expansion opens up capacity not only for the local market but also to attract more regional services and even consolidate Lázaro Cárdenas as a hub . “We aspire to be able to move around 1.5 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) this year ,” shared Yera, aware that the ramp-up will be gradual and will depend both on the macroeconomic context and the ability to attract more shipping lines.
Phase II of the project, scheduled to open at the end of March this year, seeks to expand the terminal by 65 hectares, doubling its operational capacity to reach 2.2 million TEUs , under an investment of 165 million dollars.
Reliability is another key asset. The CEO of APM Terminals Mexico noted that the Gemini Cooperation maritime service (a joint venture between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd ) in Lázaro Cárdenas has maintained on-time performance levels exceeding 95%, and the terminal has acted as a shock absorber within the shipping network, mitigating delays and restoring services to their schedules thanks to efficient and predictable operations. This consistency, coupled with automation, has even allowed for reduced turnaround times despite increased inspections.
However, Yera rejected the idea of an isolated terminal. Competitiveness, he emphasized, depends on the entire port ecosystem: pilots, tugboats, customs, carriers, and authorities. “We don’t see the terminal as just that,” he explained, describing the coordination work necessary for the supply chain to flow smoothly from end to end. One priority on his wish list is for the Lázaro Cárdenas customs facility to be upgraded to a Type 1 facility, with greater resources and operating hours that reflect the new operational reality.
According to official statistics, the port of Lázaro Cárdenas closed 2025 with an operation of two million 616 thousand 770 20-foot containers (TEU) , 8.7% above what was reported a year earlier.
Looking ahead, the ambition combines complete decarbonization, regional consolidation, and a deepening of the Lean culture that already permeates the organization. But above any KPI, there’s one word he repeats: safety . “If there’s one thing I always emphasize, it’s safety. Safety of people and safety of cargo.”
With nearly 1,100 employees across both terminals—APM Terminals also operates a mixed-use terminal in Puerto Progreso, Yucatán—and new training programs underway for Phase II, Yera summarized his tenure with a personal conviction: “This is The Dream Job . ” Because, he said, it’s not just about moving containers, but about influencing communities, foreign trade, and the future of a country. Nine years later, that commitment to the future has ceased to be a promise and has become a reality.
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