The main private investment projects for the port of Lázaro Cárdenas , the second busiest on Mexico’s Pacific coast, total $542 million and are in response to the growing volume of ships arriving from Asia.
Among the projects under construction is the expansion of the specialized container terminals operated by Hutchison Ports and APM Terminals , with an investment of $350 million and $165 million, respectively, which is expected to increase operational capacity and improve cargo transit times at the container terminals.
Hutchison Ports will begin its third phase of expansion in 2025, which will involve the development of an additional 28 hectares and the addition of new specialized equipment to increase operational efficiency.
APM Terminals launched its world-first Simultaneous Transshipment Connection operation , which optimizes port operations and reduces vessel laytime. This is part of the Gemini Cooperation, a collaboration between two major shipping companies that positions the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas as a regional logistics hub.
Terminales Portuarias del Pacífico (TPP) , a bulk mineral and steel products terminal, will invest 544 million pesos (27 million dollars) in the construction of eight storage tanks with a total capacity of 475,000 barrels, in response to growing demand from the energy sector.
Likewise, SSA Marine Mexico , the first automotive terminal in the country, will expand its infrastructure by 36,616.32 square meters, ensuring 1,700 additional spaces and increasing its dynamic capacity.
In addition, the construction of the external yard on La Palma Island will be completed in June of this year . It will cover 10.5 hectares and hold 4,918 vehicles, strengthening the vehicle storage and distribution capacity.
“Collaboration between authorities, operators, shipping lines, and associations is key to improving the efficiency and competitiveness of the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas. Investments in infrastructure and technology, along with efforts to streamline operations and optimize logistics costs, reinforce our commitment to the port’s growth,” said Admiral Heliodoro Álvarez, Director General of the Lázaro Cárdenas National Port System Administration (Asipona) and President of the Port Community Outreach Subcommittee.
Regarding rail freight, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) of Mexico optimized two new rail routes to increase cargo handled through the port of Lázaro Cárdenas. A direct connection to the U.S. Midwest allows transit time to Chicago in just eight days, and a route to Texas reduces shipping times from Asia to Dallas, avoiding congestion on the East Coast and the Panama Canal.
“Technology is key to improving the sector’s efficiency and productivity. There are and will be more growth opportunities in Mexico, so it is essential to move forward together to face the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities offered by global trade,” said César A. Jiménez Flores, president of Ternium México, during his keynote address at the opening of the Business Meeting held in Monterrey, Nuevo León.
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