PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Q. ROO.- Twenty years ago, moving goods in Mexico required a good operator and a map; today, however, the true driving force of logistics is no longer roads, but information, according to Francisco Estrada, CEO of TMM Logistics .
During his participation in the conference Connectivity and logistics value: building a technological ecosystem for intermodal and land transport of the future , within the framework of Top Flotillas and LOGEX 2025 , he offered an x-ray of how the industry has transitioned from manual controls and paper-based customs to the era of digital twins, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and logistics control towers .
“Now what really drives logistics is data,” Estrada emphasized.
The specialist noted that Mexico faces a dual challenge: it must not only accelerate the digitalization of its supply chains , but also strengthen its infrastructure, business culture, and innovation .
He recalled that, according to the World Economic Forum , before the COVID-19 pandemic, the country lagged in terms of competitiveness, reflecting the need to invest in research and development, areas where nations like the United States have a clear advantage.
“We often talk about digitalization, but there’s still no real communication between departments or effective integration with business partners. This limits competitiveness,” the executive stated.
The technological evolution of logistics , Estrada explained, involves not only GPS or telemetry, but also advanced systems capable of anticipating disruptions.
Digital twins already allow for the creation of predictive scenarios in the event of roadblocks, weather events, or protests that could affect operations .
Cases such as Audi, Tesla, Amazon, and Walmart demonstrate how digitalized intermodality and control towers offer complete visibility and integration between key players: customs brokers, transporters, railways, ports, and financial areas.
In this regard, TMM Logistics already operates as a control tower for Volkswagen and Audi, managing import flows from Hamburg to Puebla and providing traceability to the United States.
Intermodality and sustainability
The executive insisted that the future of logistics competitiveness lies in intermodal transport , the strategic combination of rail and road transport, not only because of its cost benefits but also because of its contribution to reducing the carbon footprint , which is increasingly in demand in global tenders.
“It’s no longer enough to say we’re a socially responsible company; customers now demand proof of how many carbon offsets are saved with each transaction,” he noted.
For Estrada, the coming years will be marked by the convergence of four major forces : AI, blockchain, green mobility, and the collaborative economy .
These trends will transform not only the way trains, trucks, and terminals are managed, but also the way relationships between suppliers and customers are built.
“The challenge is no longer just moving cargo from one point to another, but doing so efficiently, sustainably, and resiliently within a connected technological ecosystem,” he emphasized.
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