Contecon Manzanillo reported that it received six cranes this weekend , advancing its expansion plan and strengthening its operational capacity to achieve its goal of handling two million TEUs (20-foot containers) per year.
On May 11, the company added this equipment to facilitate its operation. These include two QC-type gantry cranes, also known as STS (Ship-to-Shore) cranes , considered the largest in the Americas, as well as four RTG cranes .
“These cranes, which were added to those acquired last year, mark a crucial step toward the goal of increasing Mexico’s international competitiveness and consolidating the Port of Manzanillo as a national leader in port operations,” Contecon Manzanillo said in a statement.
STS ship-to-dock gantry cranes are notable for being the largest, with a height of 60 meters. Their role is fundamental in today’s logistics chain, as they enable the agile and efficient loading and unloading of containers from large vessels.
With the addition of these STS cranes, Contecon Manzanillo is positioned as the first terminal in the Americas to feature this type of equipment. “Thanks to this advancement, we successfully serviced the MSC NAPOLI earlier this year , one of the largest vessels to dock at the port of Manzanillo, operating with a stack of 10 high-cube containers,” he emphasized.
The capacity to handle large vessels opens up new opportunities to attract more operations to the port of Manzanillo, benefiting Mexican foreign trade by reducing logistics times and increasing international competitiveness.
The company’s expansion project includes expanding its yards and docks to accommodate megaships of up to 24,000 TEUs.
“Thanks to our strategic investments, we have increased our operational capacity, allowing us to achieve 14% growth in 2024, moving 1,454,201 TEUs and contributing to the economic development of Manzanillo,” said José Antonio Contreras, CEO of Contecon Manzanillo.
During 2024, investments exceeding $300 million were made , highlighting the acquisition of gantry and RTG cranes, as well as the construction of new container yards, which are already in operation, the firm recalled.
“With these new acquisitions, we have boosted the growth of Contecon Manzanillo and consolidated our position as one of the country’s leading logistics platforms,” emphasized José Antonio Contreras.
The company emphasized that investments are key to boosting the port of Manzanillo, which, according to the Mexican government , is the country’s main trade and logistics center, handling approximately 70% of imports from Asia.
In 2024 alone, the port handled 39.8% of the national total for containerized goods, with just over 23.5 million tons ; although, based on the number of containers, it handled 41.8% of the national total, with 3,924,515 TEUs , according to the National Port System Administration (Asipona) Manzanillo .
*Images taken from the LinkedIn profile of Contecon Manzanillo.
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