The performance of Mexican ports in July 2025 showed a respite in the efficiency of imported cargo trucking.
According to the Average Port Transportation Time Index (ITPAP) , prepared by T21 Business Intelligence, the national average dwell time was 7.9 decimal hours , which represented a -10.5% improvement compared to June. The measurement was based on 2,802 unit movements, a figure that lends statistical strength to the analysis.
This result breaks the upward trend of previous months, although a review of the performance of each port (Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz, and Altamira) reveals disparate realities that question the consistency of the overall improvement.
The ITPAP (Tax and Logistics Information Processing Unit) gathers monthly information provided by trucking companies and GPS vehicle tracking companies; it focuses on the average time tractor-trailers spend in storage, broken down into three critical categories during the cargo collection process: maneuvering, waiting, and customs.
Manzanillo: abrupt correction, but still with delays
The most important port in the Pacific drastically reduced its times from critical levels in June to 8.2 decimal hours (converted this way for comparison) in July , which represented an improvement of -35.94 percent.
While the correction is significant, it is not necessarily due to structural improvements, but rather to the release of flows following episodes of congestion at customs and maneuvers that occurred in previous weeks. The challenge is to maintain this reduction and avoid falling into cycles of collapse and relief during peak season .
Lázaro Cárdenas: rising red flag
Unlike Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas saw a sharp decline in its performance : the average service time reached 10.8 decimal hours, an increase of 22.73% compared to June.
This increase places it as the port with the worst indicator in the country during the month analyzed, which raises alarms considering its strategic role for automotive, steel, and container cargo. The increase suggests internal management problems and possible bottlenecks in port operations.
Veracruz: adjustments that ease the operation
In the Gulf, the port of Veracruz recorded an average of 6.4 decimal hours , equivalent to an improvement of -11.11% compared to the previous month.
The reduction is significant because it brings efficiency to a logistics hub that connects the manufacturing industry with the European and U.S. markets. However, specialists warn that there is still significant room for improvement in customs management .
Altamira: stability with slight improvement
For its part, Altamira reported an average of 6.0 decimal hours , with a monthly variation of -3.17 percent.
Although the adjustment is minor, it confirms the stability of this port in terms of operational processes. However, the improvement is not enough to radically differentiate it from Veracruz, its regional “competitor . “
The ITPAP trend makes it clear that the Mexican port system requires more than temporary adjustments: it needs customs digitalization, infrastructure strengthening, and management protocols that guarantee operational stability month after month.
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