The land transportation of hydrocarbons faces a complex situation, with the entry into force of new regulations (beaconing rules, QR codes, and the Hydrocarbons Law regulations), which have imposed an additional burden on companies that transport fuels in Mexico, according to specialists.
During the panel “Impacts of the new regulatory framework on fuel transportation and storage ,” held at the Midstream Forum Mexico 2025 , organized by Grupo T21 ( Energy21 and T21 ), participants agreed that these provisions result in higher costs, duplicate procedures and a climate of regulatory uncertainty.
In this regard, Marcial Díaz Ibarra, president of the Association of Energy Sector Regulated Companies (ARSE) , warned that this overregulation “far from helping, is hindering daily life,” and noted that fuel transportation in Mexico—a high-demand, high-risk activity—requires clear rules that are also viable for the companies that support it.
According to the panelists, the implementation of QR codes to strengthen traceability and control of fuel transportation entailed additional costs ranging from three thousand to ten thousand pesos per unit, in addition to the need to re-register vehicles with the National Energy Commission (CNE) .
This process revealed delays, creating a new source of risk for transporters, according to Alicia Zazueta, CEO of Eservices , who noted that many business owners “discovered that not all of their units were authorized by the authority, despite operating for years,” so she urged a review of current permits and registrations on the platform of the former Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE).
Adding to this is the confusion among authorities . Arrests by state and municipal agencies—without federal jurisdiction—have become a source of extortion and uncertainty. “The most serious thing isn’t the fine, but being linked to the illicit origin of the hydrocarbons,” the panelists explained.
The “man-truck” challenge
Compliance with the new regulations hits small transporters particularly hard.
“If large companies struggle to stop their vehicles to mark them, imagine the truck driver who makes two trips a day,” said Fabiola Tomasini, senior partner at GMB Abogados .
Added to this are civil and environmental liability policies that can exceed 10,000 pesos annually, a figure difficult to absorb for those operating on minimal margins.
The operator has become the most vulnerable link in the system, explained Sayonara Jarillo, an independent consultant, who warned that “many do not know how to defend themselves during an inspection or arrest, which worsens the situation.”
He proposed strengthening legal training for operators, since “on the road, ignorance can lead not only to a fine, but also to a serious charge.” In an environment where road safety and inspections are constant, training becomes a survival tool.
Among the new regulatory tools is the SIRACP platform , which will require companies to manually record information on operators, units, and products transported.
Omar Camacho, General Manager of Motive Mexico , believes the challenge will be twofold: administrative burden and data security.
“The authority will have real-time mapping of all units that transport oil products. If this information falls into the wrong hands, the consequences would be serious,” he noted, emphasizing the need to ensure the cybersecurity of the CNE’s systems.
Despite the adverse context, the panelists agreed that these provisions could represent an opportunity to professionalize the sector .
“The fuel market is becoming more formal; there will be opportunities, but they won’t be for everyone; they will only be for those who are able to comply with the regulations,” Díaz Ibarra emphasized.
He acknowledged that dialogue with the authorities will be key to adjusting the guidelines and preventing regulations from hindering the competitiveness of land-based hydrocarbon transportation.
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