The Laredo, Texas , City Council approved on June 15, 2026, by a vote of seven to two, a phased increase in toll rates for the international bridges, effective from January 2027 to January 2029, with an automatic annual adjustment beginning in 2030. The decision was made against the recommendation of the Laredo Port of Entry Advisory Committee and generated public rejection from at least three representative organizations in the sector: the Nuevo Laredo Freight Carriers Association (ATC) , the Laredo Motor Carriers Association (LMCA) , and the Association of Logistics & Forwarding Agents (ALFA), which represents freight forwarders and logistics companies.

The controversial decision by the Laredo City Council was voted against by Mayor Victor Treviño and Councilwoman Alyssa Cigarroa but approved by the majority, who based their vote on Ordinance 2026-O-114. The city government argues that inflation, labor costs, maintenance, technology, insurance, public safety, debt service, and infrastructure have increased substantially since the last rate update (2017) for commercial and pedestrian tolls (2013) for non-commercial vehicles . Therefore, they proposed a phased increase plan as a responsible alternative to a single, much larger adjustment.

It should be noted that the main users of the Laredo international commercial bridges ( World Trade Bridge in Laredo and Solidarity in Colombia) have publicly rejected this increase.

ATC, LMCA, and ALFA all rejected the toll increase, though each from a different perspective: ATC focused its objection on the City Council’s disregard for the recommendation of its own Port of Entry Advisory Committee, which voted 12 to 1 against the increase, and on the inappropriate timing given the uncertainty surrounding the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA); ALFA was more emphatic regarding leadership, noting that the decision sends the wrong signal to those who generate employment and investment and that efficiency alternatives should have been explored before passing the cost on to the user; and LMCA, with the most conciliatory tone of the three, did not oppose the need for infrastructure funds but rather the process followed , highlighting that the city collected approximately $88 million in tolls in 2025, of which, by a 1998 resolution, roughly half is transferred to the general municipal fund instead of being prioritized for the operation and expansion of the bridges themselves. They agree that the decision was made without exhausting alternatives and without listening to the sector that best knows the daily operation of what is recognized as the most dynamic land crossing for goods in America, which concentrates about 42% of the trade between Mexico and the United States and with a daily crossing, just through the World Trade Bridge, of between 16 and 18 thousand tractor trucks.

Use of the increased resources

However, it is important to note that while the ordinance states that the first priority of the bridge system’s revenue is operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, technological modernization, public safety, debt service, reserves, and infrastructure preservation, the same text recognizes that the bridge system must continue to generate revenue for municipal purposes “authorized in accordance with city policy,” meaning that the historical transfer to the general fund is neither modified nor limited.

Not everything is gray.

Something to highlight in the ordinance presented to the City Council is that the municipal government of Laredo is obligated to present an Annual Performance Report detailing income, expenses, debt, reserves, crossings, among others.

But perhaps the most important commitment assumed by the government and the City Council is the clause on extraordinary economic conditions, which indicates that the City Council can postpone, suspend, or modify future adjustments in the face of federal tariffs, changes to the USMCA, changes in the operation of CBP or Mexican customs, recession, pandemics, or supply chain disruptions.

They also proposed the mandatory review of the tariff study every five years at most and the authorization of commercial traffic management programs through incentives for peak/off-peak hours, volume, seasonal or promotional prices.

What’s coming

Although the increase might be considered marginal, it does reduce the competitiveness of the International Bridges and could make other crossings attractive for goods that do not depend on this route.

While customs agents or logistics operators will not pay this toll directly, they will be pressured with tariff adjustments by the trucking industry.

The aforementioned clause for an automatic 4% increase starting in 2030 fails to consider future scenarios of uncertainty, such as those experienced this year under the Trump administration. Trade dynamics cannot be dictated by decree. If, by then, the USMCA faces adverse renegotiation or new tariffs, this automatic increase could strike the sector at its most vulnerable moment.

What we will see in the coming days or months is increased pressure from the foreign trade sector to truly be taken into account in such crucial decisions that directly impact its competitiveness. But above all, we will see increased pressure to create a more cohesive bloc that promotes a more efficient revenue-sharing formula for bridges, one that is exclusively earmarked for the costs of infrastructure, technology, operation, and administration of international bridges, and not for municipal operating expenses.

*Eleazar Ixba is a marketing and institutional communication consultant with more than 25 years of experience in transportation and logistics, with a focus on cross-border issues.

Connect with Eleazar on LinkedIn.

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El cargo New increase in tolls for international bridges in Laredo apareció primero en T21.

Economic integration between Mexico and the United States isn’t limited to trade agreements or annual trade figures; it’s a daily reality along the border, where thousands of industries depend on a constant and precise flow of goods. Within this complex network, the Port of Brownsville— in southeast Texas—has become a strategic hub for northeastern Mexico, a point where manufacturing, logistics, and trade converge. For companies in Monterrey, Saltillo, Reynosa, and Matamoros, the Port of Brownsville isn’t just a destination, but an operational extension of their supply chains, a corridor that accelerates processes, reduces costs, and ensures regional competitiveness. This is no coincidence: nearly 90% of the port’s business is directly linked to Mexico, confirming the depth of this interdependence.

This deep integration, stronger than any political tension, is the focus of the conversation with William Dietrich, General Manager of the Port of Brownsville, and Ervey González, Business Development and Economic Development Associate. In an interview with T21, both emphasize that the binational ecosystem operates with an interdependent logic that cannot be halted by short-term debates. “We are a region, a highly integrated economy,” González states, underscoring that the production cycle between Brownsville and Mexico is a living example of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA): raw materials arrive at the port, are processed in Mexico, and return as finished goods to the United States or Canada.

Dietrich adds a dimension that rarely appears in federal discussions: the border as a shared community. “We don’t see Mexico as another country. For us, it’s part of our community ,” he says. What for many is a dividing line, for the inhabitants of this region is a continuous territory where social life and economic activity intertwine. This reality explains why the seaport operates as a binational agent, and why any political clash immediately impacts logistical efficiency.

SLOW BORDER, GROWING RISK

Despite this, Dietrich acknowledges that the relationship between Mexico and the United States is going through a period of stagnation. His concern points to a greater risk: that Asia will capitalize on these uncertainties and move forward in attracting investments that could otherwise be consolidated in North America. “The world is in an economic war, and if Asia comes to build its factories here, that money won’t go to our people,” he states. For him, the region has already demonstrated that cooperation works; what is lacking is ensuring that political decisions don’t disrupt this balance.

One of the areas where these tensions are most evident is at border crossings. Delays and duplicated processes generate losses in the millions and disrupt just-in-time operations. “These delays in supply chains are very costly,” González points out. For this reason, both insist on reviving the joint customs model, which has already worked on this border and is currently operating in other locations with positive results. “The door is open, but we have to move faster,” Dietrich emphasizes, noting that border efficiency is key to preventing the region from losing global competitiveness.

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El cargo The Port of Brownsville, the port that beats to the rhythm of Mexico apareció primero en T21.

TIJUANA, BC.- Baja California Railroad (BJRR) estimates that it will have a customs office in October that will allow it to export to the United States, which will expedite cross-border crossings.

Roberto Romandía, the company’s general manager, stated that the project is currently 45% complete in terms of infrastructure to house the X-ray gamma ray equipment needed to carry out this activity.

During the panel  Modernization of the Port of Ensenada, the railroad and beyond , which took place in the first edition of the Transportation and Logistics Meeting (ETYL) CALI-BAJA 2025 , he pointed out that this new building will be located in the Tijuana station, where they have five spurs with a storage capacity of up to 120 cars, including the commercial one.

“We’re going to have our own customs office. As we all know, customs sometimes get complicated, especially when there’s so much production—we have more than 1,400 maquilas—and sometimes there isn’t enough time, even for the factories’ installed capacity to cross all their merchandise. So, the next option will be the railroad,” he stated.

He mentioned that they currently handle any type of product for import, while for export they would move bulk cargo, double-stacked maritime containers, among other merchandise, which would be transported throughout the United States, connecting from San Isidro with American railroads such as BNSF and Union Pacific .

“We’re hoping to export a lot of merchandise, different products, such as Toyota cars, televisions, finished double-stacked rims, all kinds of products that can be loaded onto the rail. Samsung is one of the interested parties, and Hyundai is interested in exporting chassis. We have many interested parties, letters of intent, and they want to have a certain preference because the installed capacity is infinite. I can use maritime containers; it all depends on the product,” he said.

He explained that rail is a good option since each wagon represents five tractor-trailers, so for imports and exports, up to 60 wagons can be moved with a single locomotive, equivalent to moving 300 trucks in 35 minutes.

He also commented that this mode of transportation is one of the safest, most efficient, and most economical , as well as environmentally friendly.

“We’re an alternative, having customs at home. I invite you to witness a border crossing to see the speed of imports, and then exports,” he noted.

Punta Colonet, with potential

Similarly, Romandía pointed out that the El Sauzal port in Ensenada is an infrastructure limited by its capacity and location, however, he said that  there is Punta Colonet, which has great potential for development and growth .

“We’ve been studying and working on this for more than 20 years. We’ve even acquired rights of way and land on that site for growth. That’s why I believe we can have a vision that goes much further,” he emphasized.

He explained that by joining its system that runs from San Isidro to Tecate with 71.4 kilometers (km) of track, together with the railway system of the National Port System Administration (Asipona) Ensenada, there will be nearly 200 km, plus 98 km that Punta Colonet would add, “now we are going to make a country with a very efficient integrated national railway system and with enormous potential.”

For his part, Admiral Luis Javier Robinson Portillo Villanueva, general director of Asipona Ensenada, said they are not acting unilaterally with the El Sauzal port project.

“It’s up to us to develop the port. We believe in a solution, and it would be very beneficial to develop Punta Colonet, but we’re not at the right time to do so, because together we wouldn’t even reach a third of what Long Beach handles,” he said.

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El cargo Baja California Railroad will have its own customs office with which it would begin exports apareció primero en T21.

MONTERREY, NL— Cross-border logistics facesa series of constantly intensifying challenges, from border controls to freight security.

During the Redwood Customer Advisory Board 2025 , Jessica Solís, Director of Operations at Redwood Mexico , highlighted key topics such as tariff uncertainty, driver shortages, and freight security.

He also addressed the complexities of the border situation, particularly in the context of inspections , problems associated with organized crime, and the impact of immigration policies, which have increased congestion and delays in the crossing of goods.

Solís explained that border inspections, particularly at the El Paso crossing , have become more rigorous, partly as a result of immigration policy that seeks to stem the flow of substances like fentanyl into the United States.

Although he acknowledged that these inspections have not had a significant impact on reducing illegal trafficking, they have caused an increase in wait times and congestion.

“We’ve heard stories from several of our partners about how, for example, a driver crossing has to undergo inspections of both people and cargo. This creates delays, which has been a headache for many companies,” Solís said.

Cargo theft and security strategies

Security in the transportation of goods is another critical issue in Mexico that Solís highlighted as disruptive to the supply chain.

“In Mexico, cargo theft remains a reality, and we cannot ignore it,” he stressed.

Although Redwood Mexico handles approximately 30,000 loads annually and has had few incidents, Solís emphasized that cargo theft remains a constant problem, with alarming statistics such as approximately 84% of thefts being committed with violence .

To mitigate these risks, Redwood implements risk assessments and safety measures such as establishing approved stops and using technology to monitor cargo status in real time.

“In terms of security, it’s not only important to plan and anticipate, but also to have adequate cargo insurance, because if criminals really want to steal your cargo, they’ll do it no matter what,” Solís emphasized.

He also highlighted the importance of supply chain visibility as a crucial tool for managing the challenges of cross-border transportation.

“It’s not just about knowing where your truck is at 3 p.m., but about having a clear view of the entire supply chain, from loader to receiver,” he noted.

Complete visibility enables companies to identify and address issues more efficiently and reduce uncertainty in the logistics process.

Regarding emerging technologies, Solís believed that the key to improving efficiency in cross-border logistics is systems integration .

“The problem isn’t so much the technology itself, but the ability of systems to communicate with each other. If you fail to integrate all the actors in the supply chain, information becomes dispersed and you can’t make informed decisions,” he explained.

Solís added that while many companies are building their own internal systems, integration across technology platforms is essential for a continuous, real-time flow of information.

Mexico’s role in cross-border logistics

Despite the challenges, Solís remained optimistic about Mexico’s future as a U.S. trading partner.

“Mexico remains the United States’ largest trading partner, and while tariff and trade policy issues are important, the cross-border relationship remains strong. Foreign investment continues, especially in key sectors like manufacturing, although changes in the automotive industry could impact these dynamics,” he stated.

Despite the uncertainty, he noted that the key to thriving in this volatile environment is proactive planning, adaptability, and working collaboratively with supply chain partners to anticipate and address logistical challenges.

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El cargo Challenges and strategies in cross-border logistics apareció primero en T21.

Strengthening charging infrastructure and public-private collaboration are necessary for the growth of electrification in freight transport, according to Bali Express Service.

Juan Báez, its CEO, explained that in its transition to a zero-emissions company, it became the first company to complete the cross-border crossing with an electric Class 8 truck in April 2024.

“This was driven by the need for innovation and to provide customers with a different, premium, and higher-quality service. If these units are managed with efficient logistics, they can be very productive,” he said.

He announced that they expect to complete the project this year with 62 natural gas trucks and 31 electric trucks. “Those are the plans, and orders have already been placed with suppliers in the region. We are working with the California government to obtain subsidies, which are essential for acquiring the units due to their high cost.”

He said the company has a dual charger in its Tijuana yards , while in San Diego, construction of its own charging station will begin in May.

“The support of government institutions is essential to promoting this type of technology within transportation companies in Mexico,” he said during his participation in the Energy Efficiency Forum in Multimodal Transportation.

He explained that among the benefits they’ve experienced from using electric equipment are lower maintenance costs, efficient logistics, less noise pollution, and access to government assistance in California of up to 70% of the truck’s value.

José Manuel García, general manager of Bali Express Service, mentioned that as one of the pioneers in this technology, they have hired consulting firms to understand its operation , costs, performance, among other topics.

He indicated that they currently use Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks , which have similar characteristics, such as last-mile efficiency and short distances, to name a few.

“California is the state that has most supported and promoted clean energy. While there is a network of charging stations, it’s still not sufficient for long-distance travel by heavy-duty Class 8 trucks. One of the challenges is the charging infrastructure in Mexico; that will be essential to continue these electromobility projects in the country,” he said.

He added that other challenges in recharging energy include Mexico’s limited infrastructure, as well as the cost of the unit itself. Diesel trucks have a return on investment of three years, while electric trucks take more than five years, “hence the importance of support.”

He mentioned that more chargers are also needed to increase competition, since, for example, the cost of an electric mile is one dollar, while a diesel mile is around 50 cents, although the cost of preventative maintenance is 25 or 30 cents per mile.

However, he indicated that there are factors that impact the efficiency of the electric vehicle, such as extreme weather , weight, and particularly driving. “We have to train our operators. The technology is different; it depends on maintaining a certain speed, not revving the truck, and braking.”

Meanwhile, Báez stated that despite changes in regulations or policies regarding the zero-emission transition in the United States, the company’s vision will continue to be a 100% sustainable company by 2040.

“The goal was 2035, but we may not do it in such an aggressive manner because the laws require it. However, Bali’s commitment is to replace diesel units with clean units year after year, perhaps not by 2035, but by 2040,” he indicated.

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El cargo Strengthening infrastructure and collaboration with the government: challenges for the electrification of motor transport apareció primero en T21.

The Deléctrica company announced that they are working on a pilot project in the Monterrey-Laredo corridor to transport cargo to the border with the United States, both for import and export, through a hybrid model of auto transport units, although the strategy is to carry out all border crossings with 100% electric units.

Lorena Martínez, CEO of the company, explained that they have currently implemented this plan that is carried out on the Monterrey-Nuevo Laredo route, where their electric fleet is used on journeys of between 250 and 300 kilometers.

“It is a transfer from Monterrey to Nuevo Laredo, where we already have a charging station, and we are about to open our station in Nuevo Laredo in April of this year, so in this way we will ensure that this transfer is made using electric vehicles and once in the border area with Laredo, Texas, we will look for cross dock areas, where a transfer of the merchandise can be made and the rest of the journey can be made with internal combustion vehicles,” he explained.

Deléctrica has developed, in collaboration with Transprtes Marva (number 5 in the Top 100 of Autotransporte® ), various circuits for the incorporation of 100% electric tractor-trailers, in a strategy to promote decarbonisation.

Among the circuits already operated by Transportes Marva with this scheme is the one in the Valley of Mexico, where they offer the service with Ferrovalle for the movement of containers; in Puebla to serve the automotive sector, as well as in Aguascalientes and Morelos where they work with Nissan. The most recent is Guadalajara, according to information shared with T21.

During her participation in the panel entitled Charging Infrastructure for Heavy Transport: Challenges and Advances in North America within the North America Mobility Summit 2025 Latam Mobility, Lorena Martínez said that this is a transitional solution, since the final goal is to carry out cross-border crossings with 100% electric units.

He said that Marva currently has a fleet of 60 fully electric tractor-trailers with all the necessary specifications such as the connection protocol, which allows the free passage of this type of vehicle to another territory.

Last November, Marva announced that it had exceeded one million kilometers traveled with its fleet of electric tractor-trailers, which has been the result of aligning interests with clients such as Ford, Hapag-Lloyd, Amazon, P&G, Nissan and Mercado Libre, to promote green logistics.

It should be remembered that in 2023, Deléctrica installed the first charging hub for heavy equipment , located in Tultitlán, State of Mexico, which has dual chargers with a capacity of 150 kW each, giving it a total capacity of two megawatts (2 mW), and in which it invested two million dollars.

It currently has charging facilities in Puebla, Salamanca (Guanajuato), Aguascalientes and Monterrey (Nuevo León), and soon in Nuevo Laredo (Tamaulipas).

Lorena Martínez, who is also secretary of the Electromobility Commission of the National Chamber of Cargo Transportation (Canacar) , said that the industry requires having charging stations at key road points,  which are accessible and safe,

“Unfortunately, the industry is experiencing a security crisis, although there are obvious and tangible efforts in this regard, but today we are still in this crisis, and we cannot expect a carrier to seek to put its operator at risk, mainly, but also the vehicle and its load by placing it in recharging points that are subject to theft or any type of violence,” he said.

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El cargo Delectrico is working on an ecosystem to operate cross-border transport with 100% electric trucks apareció primero en T21.

SAN JOSE CHIAPA, PUE.- Improving infrastructure and increasing the use of technology will help improve border crossings between the United States and Mexico, according to participants in the international panel on Cross-Border Transportation Infrastructure .

At the 12th International Congress on Logistics and Supply Chain (CiLOG) , Claudia Lagos Galindo, manager of Foreign Trade and Border Planning for the Texas Department of Transportation  , said that the infrastructure needs to be improved and modernized, since it is used only the infrastructure developed 30 years ago .

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the acceleration of goods and long transport queues became a constant at border crossings between the two countries.

In this context, Claudia said that the use of technology will help speed up mobility on the northern border, and indicated that it is necessary to conduct studies to understand the particular needs of each crossing, as well as the corridors.

He recalled the Border Transportation Master Plan, which has the vision of improving cargo mobility through new infrastructure and the use of technology, although he acknowledged that there are areas of opportunity to improve highways .

Regarding the use of technology, Juan Carlos Villa, from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute , also considered that it is essential to speed up and resolve some of the problems at border crossings .

Based on his experience, he shared that this has helped them to make transportation mobility more efficient in these areas.

Villa said they have used technology that measures crossings, with which they seek to obtain data and transform it into useful information that serves transporters and thus minimize contingencies .

He added that the academy could contribute to the issue in order to contribute to solutions aimed at improving border crossings.

In a broadcast from Texas A&M International University , José Minarro, from Sunset Transportation , agreed on the implementation of technology and modernization of infrastructure to improve cross-border transportation.

During the panel, Minarro explained that contingency plans must also be taken into account and gave as an example when the systems at the crossings on the Mexican side fail, which generates long lines of transporters.

On this topic, he indicated that one of the key points is to invest in technology , since his organization uses it for various activities such as selecting carriers, to know the price of a route, track shipments and, among other points, monitor and report loads.

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El cargo Investment in Infrastructure and Technology to Streamline Mexico-US Border Crossings apareció primero en T21.