With a comprehensive vision that includes the development of the population of the surrounding communities and bringing them well-being to improve their quality of life and, of course, being a reference in the mobilization of goods , the captain of the ship Juan Francisco Ríos Gómez, general director of Ports, attached to the General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine , of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) , highlighted the competitive advantages of the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) , to take advantage of the benefits offered by the relocation of production lines in the country ( nearshoring ).
At the opening of the first forum “The nearshoring wave : Challenges and opportunities for port development”, headed by Captain Manuel Fernando Gutiérrez Gallardo , General Coordinator of Ports and Merchant Marine, Ríos Gómez emphasized that it is necessary to look to the sea, since ports are where most of the merchandise moves .
In turn, Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles , general director of CIIT, offered the keynote lecture “The Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, the project that will transform the country” , where he explained its benefits.
He pointed out that CIIT has the advantage of connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans , and has the ports of Salina Cruz, Oaxaca; Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz; Puerto Chiapas, Chiapas, and Dos Bocas, Tabasco, interconnected by the Isthmus of Tehuantepec railroad and a highway system.
He recalled that the interoceanic corridor offers direct access from Asian ports to the 25 metropolitan areas on the central and eastern coasts of the United States , thus providing access to the fastest-growing markets in the United States.
He said there are 1,189 kilometers of railway tracks on three lines and branches in the process of rehabilitation with a capacity of up to 65 cars per train with various types of cargo. In addition, 5,200 tons per trip and 260 containers per trip with double stowage.
In the case of passengers, he indicated that the train has the capacity to transport 400 users and up to 2,400 travelers per day.
He reported that they hope to reach Guatemala in the third quarter of 2025 and said that an intermodal yard will be developed in the municipality of Suchiate, Chiapas, for which they have already established communication with the authorities of that Central American country.
He added that 200 kilometers of roads will be donated to Guatemala to strengthen trade in the southern part of Mexico, which he called a “win-win.”
Social benefit
The CIIT project also seeks to improve the quality of life of the communities living near these areas, so 12 development centers for well-being will be established , and there will be a Marine infantry brigade with more than two thousand elements, among other benefits.
In addition, the Huixtla-Parque Lineal Viaduct’s K and KA railway lines are expected to generate 80 thousand square meters of parks , walkways, sports spaces and recreational areas, with a growth of 2000% compared to the existing public space.
However, Morales Ángeles emphasized that in order to make CIIT more competitive, it is necessary to lower costs. He explained that if a contender were to be moved from Shanghai, China to Atlanta, United States, the cost would be $3,709 in the port of Salina Cruz, while in Panama it would be $3,411 .
What economic benefits will nearshoring bring to Mexico?
Among the advantages that Mexico has to trigger nearshoring , such as its proximity to the United States, which is the largest consumer market, and its qualified workforce, another benefit is economic .
The panel “Economic benefits of nearshoring in Mexico” addressed the construction of infrastructure, the training of customs personnel, the importance of the regulatory framework, as well as the adoption of digital tools as determining factors to improve and adapt to the new wave of relocation of production lines in Mexico.
During her speech, the general director of the Latin American Confederation of Customs Agents (CLAA) , Nashielly Escobedo Pérez, said that the chip has to be changed to take advantage of nearshoring , derived from the increase in the volume of operations in foreign trade.
Meanwhile, the director of strategic accounts at Scontinuidad Latam, Lucero Adriana Zamora García , stressed the importance of implementing technologies in ports, and highlighted the geographical location of the Strait of Oaxaca .
In turn, the general director of ADN Abogados , Arturo Hernández de la Cruz , stated that the training and education of staff is crucial for the correct functioning of ports, and he emphasized knowledge of the legislation and the transit regime in customs.
To foster dialogue on the opportunities presented by nearshoring , Grupo T21 will organize the Transportation and Logistics Meeting (ETYL) on October 9 and 10 in Nuevo León. With the central theme “Maximizing logistics opportunities with nearshoring ,” this event will bring together important industry leaders in Mexico. For more information, you can check all the details by clicking here .
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