Intermodal transport is the most efficient, provides lower costs, is eco-friendly, safe, and has more capacity, were the words Diego Anchustegui used to begin the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Mexican Association of Intermodal Transport (AMTI).
“We are creating an intermodal culture. This event is not about one person, it’s not mine or any past president’s, but about all of us who are supporting intermodal transport, railroads, and helping it grow,” he said.
In front of companies, clients, railroad representatives, and special guests, he commented that through AMTI, he obtained the foundations to “overcome any challenge, the business foundations to be the company we are.”
Four past presidents of the organization joined the celebration. The first, Eduardo Asperó, Vice President of Business in Mexico for Hub Group, who led the association from 2006 to 2010, recalled that he experienced a stage when intermodal transport was in its infancy, while the railroad companies “did not get along, they were in full conflict, and the best element of the association was integrating them into a competitive intermodal scheme.”
“The association has a fundamental role in integration that we want to see prevail. Today there is momentum, a change, to pass on to new generations this drive, this integration scheme that involves railroads, trucking, and wherever there is operational efficiency,” he said.
Isaac Franklin, General Director of Administration and Finance of Ferromex, and president of AMTI from 2011 to 2012, explained that he was the first representative of the railroads, as he was head of Ferrovalle when he joined AMTI, and faced the challenge of continuing to develop this mode of transport.
“The moment I was involved was one of growth, continuing to develop and finding ways to do it. For us at Ferromex, the intermodal segment has grown exponentially and is one of our top priorities to keep investing and converting into intermodal,” he commented.
Meanwhile, Fernando Ramos, General Director of Borderless Consulting Group, mentioned that leading AMTI was a tribute to his father, who many years ago rented a yard in Pantaco, where the first containers arrived in Mexico in 1975.
“For me, almost 30 years later, being president meant a kind of tribute to my father, who had the vision to bring containers from Europe to the country via Houston by rail. Now it’s easy, Chicago-Pantaco, four days, with UP, Kansas, Ferromex, but back then it was difficult,” he said.
He emphasized that during this period, terminals like Pantaco have been developed, but affirmed that evolution must continue as the country has “impressive” potential in intermodal transport.
Humberto Vargas, Vice President of Union Pacific in Mexico and a former president of the association, highlighted that over the past 25 years, there has been a “giant evolution” in this mode of transport.
“It’s about how we help the country become competitive, how we ensure our products reach all the countries where we have an international trade agreement in a competitive manner. Cross-border with the United States, maritime to reach Europe, South America to Asia, and even domestically—none of this existed 23 years ago, and that is an achievement of this association. There are many challenges to solve; we have nearshoring, everything is an efficient supply chain and a transportation solution for those companies that are getting closer to the North American market,” he explained.
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