Mexico’s maritime competitiveness no longer depends solely on building more docks or widening shipping channels. Today, it also hinges on streamlining customs, digitizing processes, strengthening coordination between authorities and businesses, and responding more quickly to an increasingly dynamic international trade environment. In this context, the Mexican Association of Shipping Agents (Amanac) celebrates its 39th anniversary this August 6th , after nearly four decades of supporting the evolution of the maritime-port system and establishing itself as one of the leading organizations representing Mexican foreign trade.
Amanac’s story began in 1987, when seven shipping agencies decided to create an organization capable of representing the sector’s interests in a unified manner within a context marked by labor disputes, union negotiations, and a maritime trade that was beginning to transform. What started as a business initiative eventually became a permanent liaison between the industry, the authorities, and the various stakeholders in Mexican foreign trade—an evolution that has allowed it to maintain a continuous work agenda for almost four decades.
Over the years, the association has expanded its reach far beyond trade representation. Port congestion, customs bottlenecks, highway insecurity, abandoned cargo, and the need to modernize logistics operations have positioned Amanac as one of the business organizations that consistently participates in analyzing and developing proposals to improve the competitiveness of Mexican foreign trade.
This role has also been strengthened through collaboration with other chambers of commerce and business associations, as well as with authorities linked to the maritime and port sector. Under this vision of building common positions, Amanac has promoted initiatives to facilitate trade and address problems affecting the entire logistics chain, in addition to consolidating its presence in international organizations such as the Federation of National Associations of Ship Brokers and Agents (FONASBA) , the Inter-American Chamber of National Associations of Maritime Agents (CIANAM) , the Caribbean Cruise Federation , and the Inter-American Committee on Ports of the Organization of American States (OAS) .
Currently, Amanac brings together about 70 shipping agencies that represent the vast majority of ship calls and maritime cargo that moves through the country’s ports, a position that has made it one of the main voices of the national maritime industry and a regular interlocutor on issues that affect the development of the Mexican port system.
The 39th anniversary also coincides with the beginning of a new institutional phase. The current administration, led by Roberto Meillón, has proposed an agenda aimed at strengthening the association’s role through the professionalization of the sector, the promotion of the Amanac Institute , the adoption of new technological tools, process certification, and greater participation in strategic issues for the maritime and port industry.
In parallel, the organization has promoted greater visibility for the role of the shipping agent, an indispensable link in maritime trade operations, but historically little known outside the sector. Among its main initiatives is the push to institutionalize Shipping Agent Day , commemorated every August 6th, as well as various actions aimed at recognizing the contribution of these professionals to the operation of ports and to Mexican foreign trade.
Nearly four decades after its founding, Amanac reaches this anniversary at a time when Mexico is seeking to strengthen its position in global supply chains through port investments, more agile processes, and more efficient logistics. In this context, the ability to build consensus between industry and authorities will continue to be one of the main assets of an association that has evolved at the same pace as the national maritime system.
Comment and follow us on LinkedIn: @Enrique Duarte Rionda / @GrupoT21
