APM Terminals Mexico has entered a new phase of growth in which capacity expansion must be accompanied by greater integration of the logistics ecosystem. With Phase II of its terminal in Lázaro Cárdenas now operational, a $350 million Phase III in the planning stages, and the modernization of its other terminal in Puerto Progreso, the company is focusing on technology, connectivity, and decarbonization.
The most visible investment is in Lázaro Cárdenas. APM Terminals accelerated Phase III by eight years to strengthen the terminal and the Pacific corridor. Beatriz Yera, CEO of APM Terminals Mexico, maintains that the decision reflects a long-term vision for the country’s role in global supply chains.
“Phase III reflects our confidence in Mexico’s potential and in the growth of supply chains that connect the country with North America and global markets, particularly through the Pacific,” he says in an interview with T21.
The project will arrive at a time of growth . During the first half of 2026, it handled 684,599 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), 35% more than the 508,506 handled during the same period in 2025. This trend continued during the second half of the year, and by September 12, it had already reached one million TEUs handled for the year. The company avoids setting a specific figure for three or five years and focuses its strategy on having the capacity to meet future demand.
A significant portion of that growth comes from transshipments, which accounted for approximately 61% of the volume in the first half of the year. The company attributes this activity to the port’s location, its connection to routes between Asia and the Americas, and the available infrastructure, but seeks to combine these flows with imports and exports .
The expansion also puts automation to the test. Three new fully automated and electrified storage blocks were added during 2026 as part of Phase II. This infrastructure increases capacity and flexibility, while requiring more specialized personnel to operate digital technologies and systems.
Comment and follow us on LinkedIn: @Enrique Duarte Rionda / @GrupoT21
