Among other setbacks, road safety remains a challenge, while thousands of drivers are abandoning their jobs due to this factor and poor working conditions. Even so, Mexican logistics has evolved in recent years, driven by nearshoring (relocation of production lines), digitalization, and the commitment to clean energy.
Héctor Romero, a member of the National Council of Logistics and Supply Chain Executives (ConaLog) , said in an interview with T21 that the future of the sector depends on how these contrasts are addressed.
One of the most serious structural problems is the precariousness of the road network , which, with more than 800,000 kilometers, operates with deficient maintenance and a lack of capacity.
“Most roads are only two lanes, which limits transportation efficiency. Added to this is congestion in urban areas and recurring traffic jams,” Romero said.
In this regard, he stated that the situation has a direct impact on logistics costs, competitiveness, and delivery reliability .
Ports and airports are also facing problems. Romero noted that recent strikes and heavy rains in Manzanillo and Mexico City International Airport (AICM) have caused delays of up to four months in operations, revealing the lack of modern and resilient infrastructure.
Likewise, security remains a critical issue. According to Romero, a cargo robbery occurs every 27 minutes in Mexico, representing losses of 70 billion pesos (mdp) last year.
“Operators not only face merchandise theft, they are also victims of extortion, kidnapping, and physical assault. This reality is driving out talent and exacerbating the operator shortage,” he explained.
Another major gap is technological adoption in the supply chain . The specialist noted that many companies still do not integrate advanced management systems, telemetry, or Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their operations.
“The lack of digital culture is hindering logistics efficiency. We need tools that give us real-time visibility, resilience, and the ability to respond to disruptions,” he noted.
Beyond the diagnosis, Romero emphasized that the key lies in collaboration between the private sector, academia, and government , since no single actor can address problems such as insecurity, a lack of operators, or infrastructure saturation alone.
He explained that ConaLog is promoting partnerships with universities to develop new talent and introduce young people to logistics practices.
He also noted that technology and sustainability are the cornerstones of transformation , and considered that operational resilience will only be possible through investment in modern infrastructure, acceleration of digitalization, and promotion of sustainable practices that are already required by major logistics players.
Sustainability and new energies
For the ConaLog advisor, the transition toward sustainable logistics models is urgent. The sector faces pressure to reduce emissions and adapt to global trends, such as the electrification of transportation, the use of biofuels, and green hydrogen .
Romero highlighted cases such as ADO , which is already experimenting with biodiesel from waste, or companies such as DHL , UPS , and Amazon , which are incorporating electric and autonomous vehicles into their operations.
However, he acknowledged that electromobility in heavy-duty transport will take at least 15 to 20 years to become established in Mexico, due to the lack of charging infrastructure and government incentives.
Over the past five years, logistics in Mexico has shown progress in infrastructure, automation, and sustainability, driven by foreign trade and the nearshoring phenomenon .
Héctor Romero is among the invited logistics specialists at the upcoming Top Flotillas/LOGEX , an event organized by RX México , taking place from September 2 to 4 and aiming to be a hub for business connections. Romero will participate in the conference ” Map of Innovation: Energy and Autonomy ,” where he will provide a broader overview of the opportunities for clean energy in transportation in Mexico.
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