CANCÚN, Q. ROO – Modernizing Mexican ports requires expanding infrastructure to accommodate larger vessels, resolving differences in criteria among authorities, simplifying procedures, and connecting the systems involved in the movement of goods. During the opening of the 30th Annual Congress of Shipping Agents , representatives from the industrial sector, the federal government, and the shipping community agreed that the competitiveness of foreign trade depends on making progress in these areas, while also addressing security and decarbonization requirements.
At the meeting organized by the Mexican Association of Shipping Agents (Amanac) , Eduardo Ramírez Leal, Secretary General of the Confederation of Industrial Chambers (Concamin) , stated that Mexico’s opportunities to strengthen its participation in international supply chains require infrastructure and processes that respond to the pace of trade .
The growth in vessel capacity and the complexity of operations, he explained, demand well-prepared ports and services that meet the needs of businesses. However, he cautioned that some improvements also depend on institutional coordination, particularly in administrative simplification, digitalization, and the standardization of procedures.
“The same operation should not face different requirements depending on the port in which it is used,” Ramírez Leal argued.
The observation highlighted a key condition for logistical efficiency: that physical investments be accompanied by predictable procedures . According to the industry representative, dialogue between authorities and companies allows for building solutions based on the experience of those carrying out the operations, with clear rules and certainty for users.
This need for coordination also extends to the various modes of transportation. Ramírez Leal highlighted the industry’s relationship with shipping agents, railroads, and trucking companies , as part of a chain in which the responsiveness of each participant impacts the others. He noted that maritime transport allows Mexican products to reach other markets and also enables the receipt of essential supplies for industrial plants.
In response to these demands, Amanac is preparing changes to its operating tools and staff training . Roberto Meillón, president of the organization, reported that the association is working on modernizing the maritime electronic transmission systems used by its members and affiliates.
This process will be complemented by an academic initiative through which the association seeks to address the sector’s specialization needs.
“The Amanac Academic Institute will begin operations in January 2027,” Meillón announced.
The institute’s launch comes amid stricter international regulations, port automation, and increased environmental demands. The association’s president noted that these changes necessitate updating knowledge and assuming new responsibilities in operations management.
In that context, he raised the need to learn how to use tools like artificial intelligence responsibly . Technology, he explained, has modified both the processes and the nature of work, in an activity where customer service transcends time zones and demands constant adaptation.
The technological upgrade was also addressed from a governmental perspective. Manuel Fernando Gutiérrez Gallardo, head of the Ports and Merchant Marine Unit at the Secretariat of the Navy , emphasized that digitalization, cargo traceability, smart ports, and system interoperability can contribute to more agile and transparent services.
According to the official, these tools rely on the daily coordination efforts of shipping agents with port, maritime, customs, immigration, and health authorities, as well as with service providers and land transporters. Their involvement allows them to anticipate the needs of vessels, streamline processes, and ensure the continuity of the flow of goods.
This capability becomes even more important when supply chains face disruptions . Gutiérrez Gallardo pointed out that timely information, alternative routes, and coordination among participants are essential for sustaining operations in the face of changes in global trade.
Operational efficiency also has a direct relationship with the environmental agenda . Better scheduling of port calls, shorter waiting times, and efficient use of port services all contribute to reducing emissions and increasing competitiveness, he explained.
“Sustainability requires allies in daily operations,” Gutiérrez Gallardo stated.
The official indicated that the Mexican Navy is working on the planning, construction, and maintenance of efficient and resilient infrastructure , compliance with the instruments of the International Maritime Organization, and strengthening the security of port facilities and navigation. Regarding environmental matters, he identified the decarbonization strategy for Mexican ports as the roadmap for moving toward cleaner facilities.
From the business perspective, Meillón also called for incorporating decarbonization into operational decisions and finding short-term solutions that contribute to international goals by 2050. His approach linked the environmental transition with the training and modernization needs of the industry.
Under the theme “Logistics and Foreign Trade: Innovation, Resilience, and Sustainability ,” the congress brings together discussions on supply chains, logistics hubs, rail intermodality, road transport security, smart ports, and the evolution of the shipping agent’s role. These topics reflect an agenda in which infrastructure, technology, and coordination must advance together to translate into more reliable and competitive operations.
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