The Mexican port system closed November 2025 without clear signs of relief in truck transit times. The Average Truck Transit Times Indicator at Ports (ITPAP) , developed by T21 Business Intelligence, confirms that the logistical pressure observed in October not only persists but is redistributed among the main hubs, with Lázaro Cárdenas again being the primary source of strain , but also showing significant trends in Manzanillo, Altamira, and Veracruz.
In October, the ITPAP recorded an overall average time of 10 hours, 57 minutes, and 45 seconds. By November, this figure had risen to 11 hours, 19 minutes, and 25 seconds —an increase that, while not abrupt, is significant in an environment where every additional minute impacts costs, logistical windows, and operational reliability. The monthly comparison reveals that the system did not regain its fluidity but instead entered a phase of increased friction.
Lázaro Cárdenas once again exceeded the national average. In October, it had already recorded an average wait time of 13 hours and 45 minutes, putting pressure on the overall indicator; in November, this climbed to 14 hours, 2 minutes, and 30 seconds . This trend confirms that the port’s operational growth continues to be accompanied by bottlenecks that have not yet been resolved. A breakdown of the wait times shows that customs remains the primary source of pressure, followed by prolonged waiting periods—a combination that keeps trucking vehicles within the port area longer than desired.
Manzanillo, for its part, showed a different dynamic, though not without its challenges. In October, this port averaged around 9 hours of wait time, with a relatively stable balance between maneuvering, customs, and waiting. In November, the total time reached 9 hours, 54 minutes, and 7 seconds , a moderate increase that suggests a greater operational workload, but without reaching the critical levels of Lázaro Cárdenas. However, the increase in wait times and the persistence of prolonged customs processes indicate that Manzanillo’s efficiency remains fragile and highly dependent on daily coordination.
Altamira offers a different perspective within the Gulf region . In October, the port remained below the national average, with times close to 9 hours. By November, the average time had decreased to 8 hours, 2 minutes, and 21 seconds, positioning it as one of the ports with the shortest truck transit times. Even so, customs continued to represent the largest component of the total time, demonstrating that even in ports with less relative pressure, inspection and release processes still dictate the pace of cargo departure.
Veracruz, meanwhile, showed relative stability between the two months . In October, it was slightly below the overall average, and in November, it registered an average dwell time of 8 hours, 8 minutes, and 28 seconds. Although its maneuvering times remained relatively stable, customs again accounted for more than half of the total time, confirming that the port’s efficiency is less tied to terminal operations and more dependent on regulatory processes.
The component-by-component analysis reinforces this interpretation. In November, the overall average time at customs was 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 54 seconds , higher than the figures for October, while the average wait time reached 3 hours, 18 minutes, and 51 seconds. The maneuvering phase, at 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 39 seconds, remains the most controlled segment, but insufficient to offset the accumulated delays in the other stages.
The ITPAP report once again demonstrates that the discussion on port competitiveness cannot focus solely on capacity or infrastructure. The comparison between October and November makes it clear that the efficiency of trucking remains trapped in processes that are moving slower than demand. Lázaro Cárdenas bears the brunt of the pressure, but Manzanillo, Altamira, and Veracruz confirm that the challenge is systemic: reducing downtime remains an outstanding issue for the Mexican port system .
Comment and follow us on X: @GrupoT21
