SAN PEDRO GARZA GARCÍA, NL – Intermodal service between Mexico and the United States is undergoing an unprecedented period of consolidation, as the combination of rail and trucking has become a key alternative for strengthening the competitiveness of binational logistics chains, optimizing costs, and reducing environmental impact.
This was evident from industry experts during the panel ” Mexico-United States Intermodal Service: Efficiency, Scalability, and a Smaller Carbon Footprint,” in which they stated that intermodal transport has experienced a 17% growth during the first half of 2025 , compared to the same period last year.
“This is due to a reconfiguration of trade, improvements in connections, operational efficiency, and the opportunity that customers are giving to this logistics alternative,” said Héctor Ayala , Commercial Director of TransMex-Swift , within the framework of the Transportation and Logistics Meeting (ETYL) 2025, organized by T21.
Ayala emphasized that this growth also requires greater coordination and regulatory compliance among all stakeholders.
“Today, more than ever, we must share information between suppliers and customers to comply with regulatory requirements. It’s not about blocks, but rather about closing ranks and building a solid, efficient, and legal intermodal service,” he said.
Additionally, he announced that TransMex-Swift is investing in new fleets and first and last mile providers to strengthen its network together with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) .
For her part, Linda Hernández , Intermodal Sales Manager at CPKC Mexico , highlighted the environmental role of the railroad as one of the most sustainable logistics solutions available.
“The vast majority of our locomotives run on diesel-electric power, which reduces carbon emissions per train by up to 75%. Each intermodal train can move approximately 300 containers, which is equivalent to removing 300 trucks from the road,” he explained.
For CPKC, sustainability is not a recent trend, but a long-term strategy.
“We’ve been promoting carbon footprint reduction for 17 years. We have a calculator that allows customers to see how many tons of emissions they’re helping to avoid,” he added.
Hernández insisted that investing in intermodal transportation is also an ethical and social decision , as it involves protecting our roads, encouraging private investment, “and asking ourselves what kind of world we want to live in.”
To illustrate how rail can become a reliable option, he shared the case of Tetra Pak Querétaro , which three decades ago did not consider rail due to its long transit times.
“Today, 95% of its raw materials arrive by rail. This is a clear example of how infrastructure, transfer terminals, and investment have completely changed the landscape of intermodal transport in Mexico,” commented Linda Hernández.
Infrastructure and security, pillars of competitiveness
Arturo Álvarez , general director of Larmex Trayecto , highlighted the importance of the Colombia Bridge , which has positioned itself as one of the most efficient routes for intermodal crossings.
“Our average crossing time is 50 minutes, and with joint inspection it drops to less than 15 minutes. It’s a modern, private, and secure infrastructure,” he explained.
For his part, Bernardo Rodarte , vice president and general manager of Schneider Mexico , emphasized that intermodal transport offers a structural advantage in safety and legality , as long as it operates within the rules.
“Not everyone in the transportation industry plays fair. There are companies that illegally cross cargo or purchase stolen fuel. Of the 5,842 Mexican companies registered with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) , 972 violated the law by moving cargo beyond the permitted area. It’s vital that customers inquire and verify that their suppliers comply with the regulations,” he said.
Álvarez reinforced the idea from the perspective of operational ethics and noted that compliance is part of a company’s internal responsibility and security.
Resilience and trinational network
The merger between Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern , Hernandez recalled, created the first tri-national rail network (CPKC) connecting Canada, the United States and Mexico .
“We’ve built a real land bridge . If, for political reasons, one country decides not to trade, we have a direct connection between the other two. That gives us resilience as a region,” he said.
Services like the Midwest Express , which connects San Luis Potosí to Chicago in less than four days, are already changing the dynamics of North American logistics.
In addition, the construction of the second international rail bridge in Laredo will expand capacity and reduce cross-border bottlenecks.
On the other hand, Rodarte recalled that, in view of the upcoming revision of the Treaty between Mexico, the United States, and Canada ( T-MEC) , it is key to remain calm and prepared.
“If you’re not taking care of your value chain, you’re just a tweet away from disruption. Renegotiations will be resolved, as we always have. The important thing is to work with partners who can get you out of trouble,” he emphasized.
The executive expressed confidence that Mexico will emerge stronger from the process thanks to the quality of its people and the maturity of its sector.
Álvarez echoed this optimism, noting that “Mexico has the best chance of coming out on top. But it depends on all of us doing our part, being more competitive, efficient, and adhering to the rules.”
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