Located in northwestern Mexico, the state of Sonora is preparing for a “new wave of nearshoring ” (relocation of production lines) with a push for investments in logistics infrastructure and the development of new industrial parks to accelerate the flow of goods to the United States and Canada, as well as a commitment to the semiconductor industry, which will contribute to the economic growth of this state.
With a privileged position in high-tech manufacturing, the state is a strategic point for Mexican foreign trade , and although the United States’ tariff policy has generated uncertainty, the dynamism in Sonora continues.
“The current outlook is one of cautious optimism, as some investments are on hold, but not canceled; they are on hold , awaiting a clearer outlook,” said Jesús Gámez, president of the National Council of the Maquiladora and Export Manufacturing Industry (Index) in Sonora .
In an interview with T21, Gámez estimated that there will be a “new wave of nearshoring ” in Mexico, for which state authorities are preparing a major network of port, rail, and road infrastructure to capitalize on upcoming investments.
“Currently, the port of Guaymas is being expanded, with more than 1.6 billion pesos (mdp) invested in it. A terminal is being modernized, and the Guaymas-Nogales train has also been investing in infrastructure to facilitate and make more efficient the arrival of ships to Guaymas and move goods to Nogales. In parallel, the Guaymas-Chihuahua highway is being developed to improve logistics,” he explained.
It should be noted that the Guaymas National Port System Administration (Asipona) formalized a partial transfer of rights contract with SSA Marine México on October 15, 2025, for the operation of a Multipurpose Terminal within the port area.
The entity is investing heavily in logistics development, as the modernization plans for the port of Guaymas include establishing a Logistics Activities Zone in the municipality of Empalme .
“On an area of approximately 88 hectares, just 10 kilometers (km) from the commercial port, there is a strategically located area, since it is widely connected to the railway infrastructure owned by Ferromex and would allow the formation of unit trains from the area to the port and to the border using the Guaymas-Arizona and Guaymas-Mexicali multimodal corridors, which are currently in operation, with general cargo movements via rail and by truck,” highlighted Asipona Guaymas.
With the addition of a Logistics Activities Zone outside the port area, the port seeks to expand the business units in which the port currently partners with various international companies, primarily large-volume bulk cargo projects such as minerals, grains, fluids, and vehicles , and the establishment of manufacturing-focused companies.
The state is also investing in photovoltaic farms to meet demand in various sectors, such as electromobility.
“Sonora is the state with the most photovoltaic farms in the entire country. We have a significant amount of renewable electric energy capacity, which is needed for semiconductors and electromobility. In Sonora, we have a significant investment already in this area,” he emphasized.
According to the state government, Sonora has 15 solar power plants that generate a capacity of 1,357.1 megawatts , making it the state number one in photovoltaic energy generation in Mexico.
Industrial parks, economic triggers
In light of the new investments expected due to the eventual relocation of production lines in Sonora, Hermosillo and other regions are developing industrial parks , which already have permits from state authorities.
“The North Desert Park, in the Puerta Norte industrial area, already has some warehouses. We also have an industrial park in the western part of Hermosillo with available warehouses. And to the south, there are projects that are already being developed, which are in the initial stages,” Gámez explained.
He added that an industrial park is also being built in Obregón, and speculative warehouses are being developed in Nogales. Additionally, an industrial park project is underway in San Luis Río Colorado and Mexicali, “but it is within Sonora territory,” he noted.
Bet on semiconductors
The president of Index Sonora sees an opportunity for development and supply in the semiconductor industry, which could happen in three to five years.
“In the Sonora-Arizona region, around Phoenix, the semiconductor industry is exploding, but on a large scale, with major investments. Right now, they’re investing close to $200 billion there,” he explained.
This project will require at least 139,000 engineers , “which they won’t have in the United States; companies are looking for bilingual engineers in other countries, including Mexico, and are focusing on Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Querétaro, and Jalisco,” Gámez added.
He considered this an important milestone for Sonora, as it will allow for the development of talent and skilled labor in that sector, with a view to creating an ecosystem that will trigger “providing supplies for that type of industry in Phoenix.”
He asserted that the state has a skilled workforce, which, if focused on the technical foundations of semiconductor production, “can be significantly boosted throughout Sonora, creating a cluster or a mega-region connected between Arizona and Sonora.”
This project depends on the synergy between the private sector and the government, the education sector, and unions, and on their alignment with the development of the state’s semiconductor industry, as well as the availability of renewable energy, in order to attract investment.
“If we have the infrastructure to move all those components, those inputs, the investments will come. We’re preparing for this and creating a good platform to capitalize on the opportunities that new nearshoring and semiconductors will bring,” Gámez concluded.
According to the consulting firm Statista , revenue in the Mexican semiconductor market is projected to reach $51.94 billion in 2025 , reflecting the strong expansion of this sector, driven by investment.
With development plans in the works, Sonora is committed to strengthening the logistics sector in the region with the construction of industrial parks and a clear vision for the semiconductor industry to take advantage of the “new wave of nearshoring ” that they estimate will reach the state.
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