VERACRUZ, VER.- Construction of the Nuevo Manzanillo port has not yet formally begun, but it has already sparked the interest of major global players in the maritime industry. According to Admiral Guillermo Mejía George, director general of the National Port System Administration (Asipona) Manzanillo , letters of interest have been received from 13 of the world’s largest shipping companies and terminals to participate in future bidding processes.
“The next terminal will be put out to tender in July 2026 (…) and the first terminal will be operational in 2028-2029,” he said during his participation in the 29th Annual Congress of Shipping Agents, organized by the Mexican Association of Shipping Agents (Amanac) .
This project is, in the words of George Mejía himself, a historic opportunity to reorganize port operations . “The Port of Manzanillo is a very busy and successful port, so the expansion project gives us the opportunity not only to expand our operational capacity, but also to implement planning that allows everything currently done in San Pedrito to be done in a more orderly and efficient manner in Cuyutlán Lagoon.”
The new port complex, located approximately 30 kilometers from the current port, will cover 1,880 hectares, a polygon four times the size of the current Manzanillo port. It will specialize in containers and hydrocarbons, but will also include a support dock for interport transfers . Its depth of -18 meters will allow it to receive deep-draft vessels, while the terminals will have docks measuring between 1,176 and 2,000 meters, and areas ranging from 49 to 104 hectares.
The plan includes five highly technological container terminals, with yards and docks designed for progressive automation and comprehensive rail connectivity . “The movement here is intended to be 70% by rail and 30% by land transport,” the admiral stated.
The construction of this new port also includes the relocation of the Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) facilities currently located in Polygon 1, a measure that, he explained, will strengthen the energy supply chain, ensuring control and traceability, and reducing risks to society at large.
The goal is ambitious: to make Manzanillo the number one port in Latin America and the 15th worldwide, with a projected volume of 10 million TEUs annually. “The goal: greater productivity per area, lower operational risk, and greater logistical efficiency,” Mejía George summarized.
According to the official, the current port of Manzanillo is operating at 95% capacity , causing severe congestion when internal or external disruptions occur, while the expansions currently underway at the terminals could reduce this percentage to only 89%. This highlights the importance of building the New Manzanillo port.
It should be remembered that in June of this year, T21 published that in an extraordinary session of the Board of Directors of Asipona Manzanillo, it was reported that the port authority would begin the administrative process for the relocation of the Specialized Container Terminal (TEC) I , concessioned since 1995 to the American company SSA Marine Mexico , to the port of Cuyutlán.
He added that Navy personnel are working directly with Semarnat to expedite the process.
Added to this is the opposition from some local groups. ” There are some leaders out there who don’t let us move forward… they just put up obstacles, and those leaders have nothing to do with the fishermen. So the problem will be solved,” he stated. For years, he said, they have been working to offer alternatives to fishing cooperatives and prevent damage. “The watershed where they work is definitely not being touched, and they are being given support,” he emphasized.
Despite these obstacles, the project maintains international appeal. Six global companies have already expressed interest in participating in the dredging project , one of the most important technical components of the project. For Mejía George, the message is clear: Mexican port expansion is attracting global attention, and the challenge is to translate that interest into efficient and sustainable infrastructure within the agreed timeframe.
Comment and follow us on X: @EnriqueDuRio / @GrupoT21
