The evolution of road transport in Mexico not only demands more efficient units and new technologies, but also better prepared operators to face the risks of the road , an activity in which training, road safety and rest conditions are fundamental.

On the occasion of Operator Day , International highlighted the importance of strengthening the skills of these professionals through training programs and actions focused on their well-being, given the demands involved in transporting goods in the country.

One of these initiatives is Elite Driver , an efficiency and safety certification program that includes 16 hours of theoretical and practical training, as well as evaluation and follow-up.

According to the company, in addition to improving driving skills, a more efficient operation can open up professional development opportunities and facilitate access to additional benefits related to operator performance.

In the area of ​​road safety, International also participates together with the National Association of Private Transport (ANTP) in the Road Safety Masters (MASVI), an initiative operated by the organization and aimed at operators of affiliated private companies, with the objective of strengthening the prevention of risks on the road.

Well-being during working hours is also part of this strategy . Through its dealer network, the manufacturer has incorporated operator lounges, spaces designated for rest, meals, and personal hygiene for operators while their vehicles receive specialized maintenance.

According to information from International, nine out of 10 operators recommend the brand, a result that the company links to the trust developed between the operators and its service network.

“Operators are professionals who face great challenges and make personal sacrifices to ensure goods reach their destination. At International, we recognize this effort and know that our commitment must go beyond technology,” said Rafael Alvarenga, President of Commercial Operations for International in Latin America .

The executive added that the company seeks to support their development, contribute to their safety, and offer spaces where they feel valued, also considering the impact that long hours and absences have on their families.

With these initiatives, International seeks to strengthen the preparation and well-being of operators, in an industry where the safety of each journey depends as much on the technology of the units as on the capabilities and conditions of those who operate them .

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El cargo International is committed to the training and well-being of operators apareció primero en T21.

The National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) recognized 1,407 operators and various companies during the twenty-seventh edition of the National Road Safety Award (PNSV) , held on October 19, with the aim of distinguishing safe driving trajectories and business practices aimed at preventing accidents on Mexican roads.

According to information provided by the association, 648 operators earned first place, 471 second, and 288 third. Later, a special recognition was given to 19 operators who were inducted into the Hall of Fame for having 30 or more years of service without causing or being involved in accidents; for having earned first place in the National Road Safety Program (PNSV) for three consecutive years; and for having left driving to dedicate themselves to training or instructing other truck drivers. More than 1,200 people attended the ceremony .

Alex Theissen , president of the ANTP Board of Directors , emphasized that road safety is the result of the daily decisions of operators, from checking their vehicles before starting a journey to respecting speed limits and paying constant attention to the road.

“Taking care of those who drive is the best investment we can make,” he said, highlighting the importance of continuous training, vehicle maintenance, and adequate work and rest periods.

Recognized companies

The following companies were mentioned during the ceremony:

1. Aldafa Transport .
2. Alpura .
3.  Almex (Tepotzotlán and Monterrey) .
4. Pilot Transport .
5. Bimbo .
6. Barcel .
7. Coca-Cola FEMSA Primary Distribution .
8. Coca-Cola FEMSA (Puebla Base).
9. Coca-Cola FEMSA (Base Los Reyes La Paz).
10. Arca Continental Distributor , Northeast Region.
11. Arca Continental Distributor , Western Region.
12. The Iron Palace .
13. Post Office .
14. La Corona Soap Factory .
15. Express Cold .
16. Boundary .
17. Oxxo .
18. Pilgrim’s .
19. Sigma .
20. Soloista .
21. Zemog Conveyor .
22. Marva Transport .
23. Zinergia .

Prevention and training in road transport

During his remarks, Cruz Isaac Muñoz Navarro , Coordinator of Highway and Facility Security for the National Guard , highlighted the collaboration with the ANTP ( National Association of Private Transportation) to strengthen accident prevention and operator training, as well as the importance of modernizing fleets and incorporating driver assistance technologies. He noted that the institution holds regular meetings with representatives of the sector to understand highway safety needs and coordinate preventative measures.

The Undersecretary of Transportation for the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) , Tania Carro Toledo , emphasized that trucking accounts for approximately 60% of the nation’s freight . Regarding security, she reported that around 68,000 inspections of cargo vehicles were carried out during the first half of 2026. She also reported the closure of more than 800 unauthorized access points on federal highways and noted that the agency is working on developing safe rest stops for truck drivers.

The ANTP , for its part, emphasized that continuous training, vehicle maintenance, and adequate working and rest conditions are fundamental elements to strengthen road safety in freight transport operations.

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El cargo In the 27th edition of the PNSV, ANTP recognizes more than 1,400 operators and 23 companies for their results apareció primero en T21.

Moving a load from point A to point B seems like a straight line . For a formal trucking company, it rarely is. Before the engine even starts, a journey begins involving permits, inspections, insurance, systems, training, internal controls, and paperwork. A corridor opens up, a new requirement appears; an entity is crossed, some rules change. And every move has a cost. 

The scale of this labyrinth can be understood. A freight transportation company under federal jurisdiction must comply with at least 25 Mexican federal laws, regulations, and official standards of general application.

If you are transporting hazardous materials or waste, the number can reach 33, in addition to any applicable state and local regulations. 

The cost lies not only in the number of regulations but also in managing different systems. Each of the 32 entities adds its own rules regarding vehicle control and traffic , as well as verification where applicable, according to the regulatory map prepared by the Legal and Regulatory Directorate of the National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) . 

It is precisely at these different levels that the path begins to branch out. A private transport unit operating under federal jurisdiction can simultaneously maintain its state vehicle license plate and the corresponding federal permit from the General Directorate of Federal Motor Transport (DGAF) , two administrative processes for the same unit. 

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El cargo The cost of the regulatory labyrinth apareció primero en T21.

QUERÉTARO, QRO.- In a trucking operation , the cost of a vehicle goes beyond its purchase price. According to Rafael Gutiérrez, Commercial Development Manager for Scania Mexico , factors such as fuel efficiency , safety, and maintenance are also part of the evaluation that corporate fleets conduct when making decisions.

This view, he explained, is part of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis, through which companies consider various elements associated with the operation of vehicles and not just the price of the asset.

It is precisely in this segment where Scania Mexico begins to see signs of recovery during the second half of 2026.

“As we approach the end of the year, we’ve been seeing a market recovery in this segment. Traditionally, it tends to be strongest in the second half of the year, due to budget cuts and other factors,” Gutiérrez noted.

He also explained that this type of fleet usually carries out a comprehensive evaluation before incorporating units, so aspects related to the operation become relevant in the decisions.

“We factor in fuel efficiency, safety, maintenance, and then we make an overall assessment of the product and make decisions based on that,” he explained.

Regarding fuel, the executive mentioned the performance of the Scania Super powertrain as one of the components that the company considers within its total cost of ownership proposal, due to its impact on the profitability of operations.

However, he maintained that the evaluation doesn’t end there. Safety also impacts company profitability and is one of the factors fleets consider when analyzing their vehicles.

Security, part of the operation

During the Tenth Road Safety Congress of the   National Association of Private Transport (ANTP) , Gutiérrez emphasized that safety encompasses both the equipment incorporated in the vehicles and the conditions for the operator and their training.

In that regard, he assured that 100% of Scania trucks have the safety systems that the company incorporates into its units, under the premise that this equipment is not considered optional.

“For us, safety is not optional, and 100% of our trucks come equipped with all the systems that will help the operator because we know that it is a fundamental part of the ecosystem and the business,” he stated.

In addition, there is the training of drivers and the maintenance of units through the company’s service network, elements that Gutiérrez linked to the need to keep vehicles available for operation.

“What we need is for the truck to be out on the road and not stuck in the workshops,” he said.

Telemetry is also part of this strategy. According to the executive, generating data allows them to obtain information about operations and leverage the capabilities of the units.

“A product that doesn’t generate data and doesn’t help us improve is difficult to get the most out of,” he said.

The challenge in a market of lower sales

While Scania is seeing a recovery in the corporate fleet segment during the second half of the year, Gutiérrez acknowledged that the industry faces a complex sales scenario.

Given this scenario, he pointed out that one of the challenges for the brand is to continue supporting its customers and strengthening its own service network.

“Today, precisely at a time when perhaps the business itself or the industry is not going through its best moment in terms of sales, we are strengthening ourselves,” he commented.

Gutiérrez indicated that during the last few months Scania has opened more service points as part of this strategy, although during the interview he did not specify the number of openings.

The goal, he explained, is to maintain focus on current operations and have the capacity to respond when new business arises.

“We are ready with a network that can maintain long-term relationships, but above all, when new business comes in, so that our clients can be well taken care of,” he pointed out.

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El cargo Scania expects increased corporate fleet activity by the end of 2026 apareció primero en T21.

QUERÉTARO, QRO.- Safety in trucking no longer depends solely on the driver’s reaction. Systems capable of detecting vehicles, pedestrians, blind spots, or unintentional lane departures are being incorporated into tractor-trailers as an additional layer to anticipate risky situations on the road, explained Iván Martínez, Sales Manager for International , during the Tenth National Congress on Road Safety of the  National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) .

Martínez presented some of the technologies that the manufacturer integrates into its vehicles and emphasized that the goal is to provide the operator with tools that help safeguard their safety. Among these is the collision mitigation system, which uses radar and cameras to monitor what is happening in front of the truck.

Technology as a complement to road safety

The incorporation of technology in heavy vehicles seeks to expand the capacity to respond to situations that may arise during operation, from emergency braking to loss of stability or a variation in tire conditions.

In this sense, the ABS and electronic stability control systems act in scenarios of sudden braking with the aim of maintaining control of the unit and reducing the risk of leaving the road, explained Martínez.

The condition of the braking system and tires is also part of this prevention. During the Road Safety Congress, it was highlighted that disc brakes can reduce braking distance by up to 25% , while tire pressure monitoring keeps the driver informed about one of the elements directly linked to vehicle behavior on the road.

However, road safety doesn’t end with preventing accidents . When a collision can no longer be prevented, passive safety features come into play , designed to reduce its consequences and protect the driver’s safety.

In the case of the units presented by International, the cab undergoes frontal, side, rear, and rollover impact tests to ensure the operator’s safety. Seat belts and airbags are also included as part of the safety features.

The brand also incorporates pedestrian detection and features that can reduce speed and even perform automatic braking when the system identifies a risk and the operator does not execute an evasive maneuver.

This technology is complemented by adaptive cruise control , which maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, as well as lane change and lane departure assistance, with audible and visual alerts when certain driving conditions are detected.

Another point addressed was visibility . The blind spot detection system presented by the company has an approximate range of 12 meters , with the aim of reducing risks during lane changes.

In addition, the units can incorporate cameras that replace or complement the function of rearview mirrors and transmit images to screens located inside the cab. According to International, this provides the operator with information about the sides and rear of the vehicle, as well as reducing the movements required to observe the surroundings during a maneuver.

Thus, technology is added as a tool within a broader road safety strategy: anticipating risks, providing information to the operator, supporting their reaction capacity and reducing the consequences when an accident cannot be avoided .

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El cargo International is betting on technology to anticipate risks on the road apareció primero en T21.

QUERÉTARO, QRO.- Hours behind the wheel, days that can be extended, pressure to fulfill the operation and a rest that is not always sufficient are part of an activity in which the wear and tear does not necessarily end when the operator turns off the engine.

Cardiovascular diseases and fatigue are among the main threats to the lives of truck drivers , one from a health perspective and the other from an operational perspective, but with factors that can end up connecting behind the wheel.

Rodolfo Giacoman, a fatigue management specialist at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) , pointed out that cardiovascular diseases are the leading biological cause of death , while fatigue represents one of the main occupational risks for operators.

During the Tenth National Congress on Road Safety of the National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) , the specialist detailed that cardiovascular diseases, which include heart attacks and strokes, represent around 224,000 deaths in Mexico, according to data from the 2024 Registered Death Statistics (EDR) of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) , which was published at the end of 2025 by the organization.

Furthermore, he pointed out that the EDR explains that if cardiovascular diseases are grouped with related metabolic diseases, the figure reaches approximately 415,000 out of a total of 819,000 deaths .

The problem takes on a particular dimension for the trucking industry. Giacoman indicated that the life expectancy of North American truck drivers is around 61 years , while a significant proportion of this population is over 45 years old.

“If the average is 61, it means that many people are dying at 50 and others at over 61. That is a problem,” he warned.

On the other hand, there is fatigue, whose role in accidents can be difficult to identify because it does not necessarily leave evidence that allows one to immediately determine that an operator was tired.

Giacoman indicated that investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States place fatigue in between 30% and 40% of fatal crashes .

But he warned that its consequences can go beyond accident rates.

“It’s not just causing 30 to 40 percent of fatal crashes. It’s making drivers sick,” he said.

The specialist explained that keeping a person tired and working at maximum capacity can increase inflammatory processes and maintain high levels of cortisol and adrenaline, in addition to interacting with problems such as obesity, diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea.

Therefore, he called on companies to review operational decisions that may lead an operator to continue working despite fatigue.

“It could mean that one day, perhaps, they won’t give him the bonus because he won’t take that extra day off and he’s tired, he’s sick, he needs to rest. Change the priorities, change the way you operate,” he argued.

When the first warning may come too late

In cardiovascular matters, prevention also faces a challenge, and the problem can progress without obvious signs.

During his presentation, Giacoman noted that between 33% and 50% of cases may present with sudden death as the first symptom . “There are no symptoms,” he emphasized.

Among the factors he addressed to determine cardiovascular risk were blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, body mass index, kidney function, family history, and age.

According to Giacoman, addressing these conditions should be part of the safety culture of trucking companies, along with nutrition, exercise, mental health, personal relationships, and proper sleep hygiene.

The approach places two risks under the same discussion: the operator’s safety depends not only on avoiding a road crash, but also on preventing conditions that could deteriorate their health before getting into the vehicle.

In this scenario, the specialist called for the health of operators to no longer be viewed as a separate issue from the operation and to be incorporated into the safety culture of companies, particularly in the face of factors such as fatigue and conditions that increase cardiovascular risk.

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El cargo Cardiovascular diseases and fatigue are among the main risks for truck drivers. apareció primero en T21.

The need to train and professionalize more heavy vehicle operators keeps training as one of the main challenges for the federal trucking industry . Faced with this situation, industry organizations have added a new alternative to expand the tools available for driver preparation.

Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA) and the General Directorate of Federal Motor Transport (DGAF) signed collaboration agreements that will allow them to take advantage of the infrastructure and specialized programs of the International Center for Instruction of Airports and Auxiliary Services (CIIASA) for the training and updating of federal motor transport operators.

Representatives from the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (Canacar) , the National Chamber of Passenger and Tourism Transportation (Canapat), and the National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) participated in the signing . These organizations announced the agreement through their social media networks and highlighted the importance of strengthening the training of human capital to advance the safety and professionalization of the sector.

For the freight trucking industry, the agreement comes as the availability of drivers continues to strain operations. Canacar has estimated the national shortage at around 96,000 drivers , a situation that has led the sector to promote schools, specialized centers, and partnerships with educational institutions to expand the training of new drivers.

Infrastructure for freight and passenger transport

With the new scheme, companies affiliated with Canapat will be able to access CIIASA’s infrastructure and specialized programs to strengthen the continuous training of passenger transport drivers.

“Strengthening the training of our drivers is strengthening passenger transport,” Canapat stated on its social media.

For its part, Canacar highlighted that ASA’s experience and CIIASA’s infrastructure will strengthen the training of operators and raise the level of talent required by the freight transport industry.

The ANTP stated that the agreement represents an opportunity to promote training and professionalization, placing human capital as one of the components to maintain safer and more efficient logistics and transportation operations.

The CIIASA, named “Engineer Roberto Kobeh González”, has infrastructure intended for specialized technical training and during 2026 includes in its offer activities related to certification in road transport and freight service.

The signing was attended by Tania Carro Toledo, Undersecretary of Communications and Transportation of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) ; Luis Ruiz Hernández, Director General of Federal Motor Transport; and Carlos Manuel Merino Campos, Director General of ASA, as well as representatives of business organizations in the sector.

The agreement thus expands the training options available for the road transport sector , at a time when attracting new operators is not the only challenge: so is ensuring that those who join and those already behind the wheel have continuous training to meet the operational and safety demands of the sector.

(Main image source ANTP)

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El cargo Motor transport adds ASA infrastructure to strengthen operator training apareció primero en T21.

Transportation and logistics companies formed the Cargo Infrastructure Task Force , whose objective will be to promote electrification through cargo infrastructure for medium and heavy vehicles in Mexico through a shared investment scheme that distributes costs and reduces the risk of each organization.

The project emerged from an initiative of the Global Sustainability Electromobility Playground and was co-convened by the National Association of Private Transport (ANTP) , its most strategic sector partner.

In this way, Grupo Bimbo , Mercado Libre , Coca-Cola FEMSA , Heineken México , OXXO , Alsea , VEMO , Siemens , OXXO Gas , Voltway , Deléctrico , Grupo Marva, International , Volvo , BYD Trucks , ADO Mobility , among other companies, will work on designing and implementing a shared investment model in charging infrastructure.

“The World Cup taught us a lesson: teams that play as a team win, not those that just put together good players. It’s the same with electromobility. No single company can solve the charging infrastructure problem on its own. Today, the private sector is choosing to join forces and collaborate. And there’s already a clear plan: to electrify the Mexico-Querétaro corridor,” said Alex Theissen, president of the ANTP Board of Directors.

The group will also identify strategic points for deploying charging infrastructure —both last mile and long-distance— and outline a first joint shared investment project, in addition to the availability of electricity at the points where the charging centers will be installed, a factor that determines where and when electrification is viable.

According to a survey conducted among participating companies, more than 320 cargo vehicles were identified that are seeking to be electrified by 2027 and nearly 1,400 by 2035 .

As of the first quarter of 2026, Mexico had only one electric vehicle charging station for every 49 electric vehicles (four thousand 802 stations for 235 thousand 501 units).

For heavy freight transport, the challenge transcends the total amount installed and focuses on strategically deploying infrastructure in logistics and highway corridors to guarantee uninterrupted intercity journeys, an indispensable factor to ensure territorial equity and avoid bottlenecks in the electrification of the sector.

Isabel Studer, president of Global Sustainability, stated that “the transition to clean energy will not happen by waiting for the government to solve everything. We need to change that mindset: the private sector needs to stop waiting and take a leading role.”

He emphasized that companies coordinating today can assume the role that the State assumed in other countries —reducing the pioneer’s risk and distributing the costs— and, “in doing so, gain competitiveness in global value chains , improve environmental quality and generate green jobs.”

The model draws on experiences in demand aggregation and business collaboration developed in markets such as the United States, Colombia, and Brazil.

The Electromobility Playground is structured around four partners — Global Sustainability, ANTP, CALSTART and The Climate Group — each with a complementary role.

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El cargo Transport and logistics companies are investing in electromobility apareció primero en T21.

CANCÚN, Q. ROO – Strengthening trade between Mexico, the United States, and Canada will require a rail system capable of offering much more than just installed capacity. The resilience of supply chains in North America will increasingly depend on the integration of infrastructure, technology, digitalization, and coordination among operators, authorities, and users, agreed representatives of major rail companies during the panel “Resilient and Sustainable Rail Transport: Integrating Infrastructure, Technology, and Sustainability in the USMCA,” held at the 2026 National Freight Transportation Forum of the National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) .

The discussion made it clear that the growth of nearshoring (relocation of production lines) and the consolidation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are increasing pressure on regional logistics infrastructure, forcing the rail sector to evolve toward more agile, connected, and sustainable operating models. According to the panelists, North American competitiveness will no longer depend solely on having more tracks or locomotives, but rather on building logistics chains capable of responding quickly to an environment of greater demand, uncertainty, and environmental requirements.

Linda Hernández, Business and Industrial Development Manager at Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) , stated that rail integration between Canada, the United States, and Mexico represents an opportunity to simplify cross-border operations and offer more competitive alternatives for users. “Railways are about connection, trust, but above all, they are a promise of continuity,” she affirmed, explaining that the merger between Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific (which ultimately resulted in CPKC) made it possible to build the first rail network directly connecting the three North American countries.

The executive emphasized that true growth in rail capacity depends not only on expanding physical infrastructure. “True capacity lies in coordination. It lies in designing reliable services, investing in infrastructure, digitizing processes, and building alliances with authorities, customers, ports, terminals, and carriers,” she noted. Following this logic, she explained that a logistics chain “is not as strong as its largest link, but as its weakest.”

As an example of this strategy, Hernández presented the Mexico Midwest Express (MMX) and Southeast Mexico Express (SMX) services , developed after the integration of CPKC to directly connect Mexican industrial centers with the Midwest and Southeast United States in journeys of less than four days. He also highlighted the addition of refrigerated containers, the installation of new Senasica inspection points outside the border, and the opening of the second international rail bridge in Laredo, infrastructure that doubled the rail exchange capacity between the two countries. “When we connect the rail network, the region undoubtedly moves forward,” he summarized.

From the perspective of Grupo México Transportes (GMXT) , resilience also involves incorporating artificial intelligence into the core of rail operations. Daniel Doria, Commercial Director, explained that the company is developing “La Maquinista ,” an artificial intelligence system designed to optimize train formation, allocate capacity, and improve the network’s operational performance. The project, he said, does not seek to replace human expertise, but rather to enhance it through algorithms capable of learning, anticipating, and making operational decisions in real time.

The initial results, he asserted, already show significant reductions in dwell times, a higher average network speed, and more efficient use of the rail fleet. For Doria, artificial intelligence will be a productivity enabler, while modal integration will remain essential. “Road transport and rail definitely coexist, and coexist very well. It all depends on the customer’s needs,” he stated, emphasizing that both modes of transport must complement each other to offer tailored logistics solutions.

The executive added that GMXT, part of Grupo México , continues to strengthen its coverage through annual investments of between $450 and $500 million in infrastructure, yards, terminals, locomotives, and technology, as well as promoting alternatives such as CG Rail , the rail-sea service connecting Coatzacoalcos (Veracruz) with Mobile (Alabama), as a new option for trade between Mexico and the United States. “When infrastructure, technology, and logistics work as a single network, growth ceases to be a possibility and becomes a competitive advantage,” he concluded.

Francisco Fabila, CEO of Ferrocarril y Terminal del Valle de México (Ferrovalle) , stated that the transformation of the railway system will depend on the automation of critical operational processes . He explained that the company operates the most important intermodal rail hub in North America, located in the nation’s capital, and that the challenge lies in managing more than one hundred trains daily in a highly congested area using digital tools and artificial intelligence.

To achieve this, Ferrovalle incorporated rail arches with optical recognition , automated mechanical inspection systems, railcar classification algorithms, and control centers that allow for real-time monitoring of the entire operation. With these tools, processes that previously took several hours can now be carried out virtually instantly, while customers can track every movement of their trains, containers, and tractor-trailers from digital platforms. “Every movement, every train, every load, every container, and every truck is digitally visible in real time to the customer and in an automated way,” Fabila emphasized.

In parallel, he explained that digitalization has also improved the efficiency of the Pantaco intermodal terminal (also known by that name), where truck access times have been reduced from several minutes to just seconds thanks to OCR systems and artificial intelligence, strengthening connectivity between rail and trucking. He also emphasized that technology has become an essential component for reinforcing security and maintaining operational continuity at the main rail hub in the Valley of Mexico.

For her part, Daniela Zarza, Business Director – Premium at Union Pacific , focused her remarks on the need to continue strengthening North American rail integration through investments, strategic mergers, and talent development. She explained that the company is undergoing a regulatory process to finalize its integration with Norfolk Southern , which would allow for the construction of a transcontinental rail network—from coast to coast in the United States—and eliminate interchange points that currently limit the smoothness of operations. In her view, greater competition among operators will ultimately benefit customers directly through improved services and shorter transit times.

The executive also highlighted that Union Pacific, which operates cross-border services through six border crossings between Mexico and the United States , makes ongoing investments in infrastructure maintenance, technology, and cybersecurity, while also promoting diversity and inclusion strategies to increase female participation in the railroad’s operational areas by 2030. Simultaneously, the company is advancing the development of locomotives with hybrid technologies and initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of rail transport. “Rail is the safest mode of transportation in Mexico and the United States,” she stated, noting that a Union Pacific train can travel a distance equivalent to 49 times around the world before derailing.

Although each company presented different strategies, the message converged on a single point: the future of rail transport in North America will depend on its ability to integrate infrastructure, artificial intelligence, automation, sustainability, and collaboration among all actors in the logistics chain. In an environment where regional trade continues to accelerate, rail operators agreed that resilience is no longer just about recovering from disruptions, but about anticipating them and turning them into a competitive advantage under the USMCA.

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El cargo The railway is accelerating its regional and digital transformation in Mexico. apareció primero en T21.

CANCUN, Q. ROO.- Deficient infrastructure, high logistics costs, regulatory delays and security problems continue to be the main obstacles to the competitiveness of freight transport and logistics in Mexico.

Faced with this reality, while the adversities are identified, within the framework of the National Freight Transport Forum , organized by the  National Association of Private Transport (ANTP) , Alex Theissen, president of the Board of Directors of the organization, asserted that within the work carried out in the different panels of the 26th edition of this event, the constant was to talk about progress, improvement, even in how to face the free trade agreements, “in general we all agree that those of us involved in this industry have to learn, as the theme of this forum says, to be more resilient . “

Theissen Long recalled that when he started in the logistics industry, Mexico was not a major player in the production of heavy vehicles, a situation that has evolved and today the country is the main exporter of tractor-trailer trucks, among other milestones .

In addition, transport companies have been growing steadily and today there are entrepreneurs focused on professionalism, services, technology and commitment to the market .

Therefore, Alex Theissen emphasized that the problems must continue to be addressed in a coordinated manner. “Let’s tackle the problems head-on, together, with optimism and, of course, with creativity.”

During the panel “Industry Perspectives and Resilience in Logistics and Freight Transportation ,” Augusto Ramos, president of the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (Canacar) , emphasized the deterioration of the highway network, which not only increases the risk of accidents but also directly affects transportation productivity. “We face constant maneuvers to avoid potholes, reduced speeds, and longer travel times, all of which impact operating costs and the working conditions of drivers ,” he commented.

Customs and technology at a slow pace

Customs facilitation is one of the priority areas identified. Mexico exports hundreds of millions of tons of products each year and depends heavily on the efficiency of its border crossings and foreign trade processes. However, there are still ample opportunities to incorporate technology, simplify procedures, and expedite customs operations.

Reflecting the existing challenges, Mexico’s unfavorable positions in various international competitiveness indicators were mentioned, particularly in infrastructure, international trade, and economic performance .

Augusto Ramos pointed out that modernizing customs and reducing processing times is an essential requirement to fully take advantage of the opportunities arising from trade integration with the United States and Canada.

Factors such as the above cause logistics costs in Mexico to reach up to 20% , while in developed markets they are between 8% and 10% of the value of the goods.

This percentage is compounded by multiple factors: insufficient infrastructure, congestion, complex regulatory processes, insecurity, and downtime during journeys.

Addressing the above becomes even more relevant when Mexico participates in a trade region that accounts for 30% of global trade. “The region represents 1.6 trillion dollars and serves 515 million consumers, and every minute three million dollars are spent in this negotiation between the three countries,” highlighted Alejandro Malagón, president of the Confederation of Industrial Chambers (Concamin) .

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El cargo “Logistics continues to develop, even with multifactorial challenges”: Theissen apareció primero en T21.