Hutchison Ports ICAVE recorded a new historical milestone at the Port of Veracruz with the arrival of the CMA CGM Orfeo, the longest vessel ever to dock at the port. Measuring 349.98 meters in length , the operation has confirmed the terminal’s technical capacity to receive deep-draft container ships.
“The success of the CMA CGM ORFEO operation is no accident; it is the result of strategic planning and key investments in our dock and draft infrastructure. We are demonstrating that the terminal is fully prepared for the challenges of modern foreign trade, offering efficiency and safety in every movement,” highlighted Javier Rodríguez Miranda, General Manager of Hutchison Ports ICAVE.
In a statement, the company indicated that this operation was made possible by sustained investment and long-term structural planning . Since 2019, Hutchison Ports ICAVE has been operating entirely in the North Bay, following the completion of its relocation from the South Bay.
The construction of this new Specialized Container Terminal (TEC) represented an investment of over nine billion pesos (MXN) . The port complex was built on two million square meters (m² ) of reclaimed land and has a draft of -15.5 meters, the result of dredging 13 million cubic meters (m³). This infrastructure has raised the terminal’s technical and operational capacity to international standards.
Jorge Magno Lecona, CEO of Hutchison Ports in Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasized that the arrival of the largest ship in the history of Veracruz reflects the group’s commitment to the country’s logistical competitiveness , and reaffirmed that they will continue investing in solutions that strengthen Mexico’s position in international markets.
Phase II of the expansion, planned for 2025–2026, will add a third berth and increase dynamic capacity to 2.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year . This will expand the terminal’s operational infrastructure.
Currently, Hutchison Ports ICAVE has 1,050 meters of quayside and two berths to accommodate large container ships . The equipment includes seven Super Post Panamax cranes, four of which are automated, as well as electric RTG cranes, autonomous tractors, and digital control systems.
The terminal offers specialized services such as LCL cargo, inspection, labeling, and digital traceability. It also features connections for refrigerated containers, a CFS warehouse, and a Logistics Activity Zone (ZAL) , integrating supply chain solutions.
Hutchison Ports is the port division of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited , with a presence in 24 countries and operations in 53 ports. In 2024, it handled 87.5 million TEUs . Its business has expanded to include airports, distribution centers, rail services, and shipyards. In Mexico, it operates in Veracruz, Manzanillo, Ensenada, Lázaro Cárdenas, and Tula.
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