Digitizing processes, strengthening the traceability of goods, and deepening regional coordination to respond to the needs of North American supply chains are some of the actions that must be taken in rail freight transport.
During a meeting organized by the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico (AmCham Mexico), representatives of the sector highlighted that the railway is going through a strategic stage marked by the boost to railway projects of the current government, the trade negotiations within the framework of the USMCA and the investments to increase the operational capacity of the network.
“Today is undoubtedly an important moment to bring foreign trade and the daily exchange we have at our borders into the conversation,” said Oscar del Cueto, president of AmCham Mexico.
Therefore, Darío Reyes, from the Mexican National Customs Agency (ANAM) , announced that non-intrusive inspection equipment will be installed at seven railway crossings. He also highlighted that the goal is to fully digitize customs procedures by 2027 through the Mexican Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCEM).
In addition, Francisco Fabila, general director of Ferrocarril y Terminal del Valle de México (Ferrovalle) , explained that the company has invested in artificial intelligence to improve traceability and optimize its processes, which will allow it to reduce the occupancy of its terminal from 80% to 50% and, with this, double the capacity of the Pantaco hub.
Linda Hernandez, Senior Intermodal Sales Manager at CPKC , mentioned as an example of investment and progress the conversion to double track of their bridge in Nuevo Laredo will allow the passage of up to 50 or 60 trains.
Looking ahead, he identified two areas for innovation: enabling Senasica inspections to be carried out at the destination and real-time traceability through tags that are read along the route. “We don’t just want to connect different regions, but to be the vehicle that facilitates new business opportunities,” he noted.
Similarly, Paulina Téllez, director of the Mexican Association of Railways (AMF), highlighted that the current discussion has evolved from local infrastructure to a regional vision, so freight rail represents the materialization of economic integration between Mexico, the United States and Canada, and called for the development of safer and more predictable corridors.
Ashanti Mieres Cravioto, Country Manager for Union Pacific in Mexico, stated that rail is key to North American competitiveness. “We must work together to avoid creating more bottlenecks,” she emphasized, adding that the future depends on continued investment in technology and making better use of existing infrastructure.
He also noted that the merger with Norfolk Southern, still in the approval process, could benefit routes to the eastern United States.
The user companies also emphasized the importance of rail for their logistics chains. ADM reported that it transports all of its grain in Mexico by rail , while Valero transports approximately 70% of its products this way. Constellation Brands highlighted that rail provides operational predictability and contributes to meeting its emissions reduction targets.
Regarding railway infrastructure, Alberto Serdán, from the Agency for Trains and Integrated Public Transport (ATTRAPI) , indicated that the new passenger train projects will benefit more than 42 million people and will allow for a reduction of up to 50% in emissions compared to other means of transport, operating on exclusive tracks to avoid affecting freight service.
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