The race for port capacity in Mexico is no longer measured solely in meters of dock space or container traffic. At Contecon Manzanillo , the focus has shifted towards specialized infrastructure , operational automation, and environmental sustainability as key components to support the growth of foreign trade from the Mexican Pacific.
The terminal, located in the port of Manzanillo, has accelerated an expansion strategy in recent years that combines new operational areas, large-scale equipment and technological modernization, amidst a scenario where shipping companies demand greater productivity to serve increasingly larger ships and logistics chains with less room for interruptions.
One of the most significant moves within this strategy has been the addition of 60-meter-high STS gantry cranes , considered the tallest in the Americas. The arrival of this equipment began in 2024, continued through 2025, and further additions are planned for 2026, signaling the terminal’s commitment to staying ahead of the evolving international maritime market.
With this infrastructure, the terminal became the first on the continent to operate cranes of such dimensions, capable of handling vessels up to 400 meters in length , a segment that has become increasingly common on transpacific routes and that demands higher levels of precision and operational speed in port.
“Having reached 12 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) and operating the tallest STS cranes in the Americas confirms that our commitment to modern infrastructure and sustainable technology is yielding concrete results. Today, we service large-scale vessels with greater efficiency and, at the same time, reduce emissions by more than 50% in strategic equipment such as our hybrid RTGs,” stated José Antonio Contreras, CEO of Contecon Manzanillo.
The modernization has not been limited to quayside cranes. During 2025, the terminal also incorporated hybrid RTG cranes and plans to add more of these units, along with new STS cranes, in the coming years. The goal is to strengthen the terminal’s installed capacity, reduce operating times, and maintain international standards of safety and environmental performance.
The incorporation of hybrid technology stems from technical studies initiated in 2023 to transform part of the operating fleet according to sustainability criteria. The RTGs combine high-efficiency diesel engines with lithium batteries, a configuration that reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50%, as well as lowering maintenance costs.
“Having state-of-the-art facilities and machinery enhances our competitiveness and directly boosts the growth of foreign trade and the country’s economic development,” Contreras said.
The terminal’s environmental strategy has also sought institutional support. The company holds ISO 14064 Carbon Neutral certification , focused on measuring, reducing, and offsetting polluting emissions—an issue that is gaining increasing importance among the demands of global clients, investors, and shipping lines.
In parallel, Contecon Manzanillo is pursuing an aggressive physical expansion plan. Since 2023, the company has invested over $300 million in phases 3A and 3B of its growth, focused on expanding its yards, docks, and specialized equipment. As part of this project, new container yards covering nearly 12 hectares are already operational.
The terminal’s cumulative investment has already reached $900 million, while phase 4 of the project is under development with new investments aimed at sustaining the projected growth in containerized cargo handling.
The results are beginning to be reflected in the volumes handled. By the start of 2026, the terminal had reached 12 million TEUs moved since the start of operations, an indicator that coincides with the strengthening of its participation in the national movement of import and export containers.
During the first quarter of 2026, Contecon Manzanillo handled a total of 417,191 TEUs in import, export and transshipment services, a volume 7.9% higher than that recorded in the same period a year earlier, according to data from the port authority.
Behind the expansion also lies a broader message for the Mexican port system : the growth of foreign trade and the arrival of larger vessels are pressuring terminals to accelerate investments in infrastructure, digitalization and sustainability, in an environment where the country’s logistical competitiveness increasingly depends on the ability of its ports to respond efficiently to a more complex and demanding global demand.
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