The Mexican Association of Logistics Operators (AOLM) announced the addition of Grupo CICE as a new member, an integration that strengthens its community of 3PL companies and adds experience to the collaborative work that drives the development of the logistics sector in the country.

According to the association, the arrival of new logistics operators not only represents institutional growth, but also the consolidation of a space where good practices, knowledge and experiences are shared with a positive impact on the supply chain.

In this regard, Mónica García-Escudero , general manager of AOLM, pointed out that the integration of Grupo CICE brings capabilities and experience that contribute to the strengthening of the organization and the industry as a whole.

AOLM brings together logistics operators with a vision focused on continuous improvement, sectoral dialogue, and building solutions that strengthen Mexico’s logistics competitiveness in an increasingly strategic environment for the country’s economy.

For his part, Rodrigo Cruces , managing director of Grupo CICE, expressed that the company is enthusiastically joining one of the most important associations in the sector,

“We reaffirm our commitment to actively collaborate, share best practices and combine capabilities to promote the development of the AOLM and the strengthening of Mexico’s logistics, competitiveness and sustainability,” he said.

With this addition, AOLM continues to expand its network of operators and strengthen joint work to face current and future logistics challenges in Mexico.

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In a move that reinforces its commitment to modernizing the Mexican port system, Grupo CICE added two multipurpose rail cranes to the equipment of its Semi-Specialized Container and Project Cargo Terminal in the North Bay of the port of Veracruz, consolidating an additional phase of expansion that responds to the growing logistical demands of foreign trade.

Last Monday, January 19, the vessel UHL FELICITY arrived at the port terminal carrying the components for the new Liebherr P180 LS cranes , whose assembly is scheduled to be completed during the first quarter of this year. Subsequently, the units will enter their operational testing and performance evaluation phase before being formally integrated into the vessel handling system before the end of the second quarter.

These cranes represent a significant advancement for the terminal: they have a safe lifting capacity of 65 tons, can operate up to 80 tons in Twin Lift mode or even 100 tons in Tandem configuration, and can handle up to 20 rows of containers, enabling them to service large-scale container ships. Furthermore, they incorporate remote operating systems (ROS) and energy recovery technology (Active Front End) , elements that pave the way for more efficient and competitive operations.

The integration of this equipment – which will coexist with the already operational multipurpose rubber-tired cranes from manufacturers such as Liebherr and Konecranes-Gottwald – is part of an operational flexibility strategy that seeks to optimize the maneuvering of ships and the provision of port services, both for containerized cargo and for project cargo.

This development takes place within the framework of the second stage of the Semi-Specialized Container and Cargo Terminal Project , whose commissioning was announced in December 2025 and involved the enabling of an eight thousand square meter (m²) CFS warehouse, 350 connections for refrigerated containers and 570 additional positions for storage, aimed at streamlining cargo flows both LCL and FCL and improving entry and exit times under customs standards.

The terminal, which covers an area of ​​more than 22 hectares with 550 linear meters of dock and dynamic capacity to handle hundreds of thousands of 20-foot containers (TEU), has been conceived from its origin as a key component to strengthen the competitiveness of the port of Veracruz , one of the most important logistics hubs in Mexico due to its connectivity with markets in Europe, South America and the east coast of the United States.

This momentum is also anchored in the broader context of the logistics sector, where Veracruz seeks to consolidate its position as a modern hub for port services in response to structural pressures such as nearshoring and the demand for more resilient and efficient supply chains. Within this framework, the expansion of Bahía Norte is seen not only as a physical expansion, but also as a strategic reconfiguration of the port space that enables greater operational capacity without compromising safety standards or service times.

The arrival of the new cranes is part of a series of investments and expansions by Grupo CICE that began with the commissioning of the first phase in April 2025. This next phase positions the Bahía Norte terminal as a leading player in national port competitiveness. In an environment where operational efficiency is increasingly demanded by global supply chains, the modernization of infrastructure and equipment—such as that promoted by Grupo CICE—translates into a tangible improvement in the port’s capacity to respond to growing volumes of international trade .

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VERACRUZ, VER.- Digitalization is no longer a promise, but the turning point that is redefining the concept of port terminals in Mexico. Automation, artificial intelligence, data connectivity, and energy sustainability are shaping a new operational framework where efficiency is measured in seconds, not hours. At the panel “Smart Terminals and Strategic Connectivity,” held during the 29th Annual Congress of Shipping Agents of the Mexican Association of Shipping Agents (Amanac) , the country’s leading port and logistics operators presented a compelling diagnosis: the competitiveness of Mexican foreign trade will depend on the speed with which its terminals become true smart ports .

“For us, this year has been an opportunity to implement and take that leap,” stated Omar Lima Castillo, Director of Terminals at Grupo CICE . From Veracruz, the company has opted for a comprehensive model where data flows between interconnected systems, ranging “from billing and service scheduling to the manifests shared by shipping lines.” CICE has built its own smart port concept , where every decision is based on predictive analytics: from the ship’s initial maneuver to cargo placement in the yards . “A release that previously required someone to go to a window now takes only seconds,” he pointed out. Digital efficiency, he added, not only translates into operational speed but also into sustainability, as its fleet already operates with hybrid and electric equipment, aligned with clean energy programs.

A technological vision also guides Hutchison Ports Mexico , whose Operations Director, Carlos del Castillo, described an expanding digital ecosystem. “We are increasing our capacity by 60% with digitized operations and models that leverage artificial intelligence as a catalyst for efficiency and connectivity .” In Veracruz, the company’s control centers operate with algorithms capable of “thinking, planning, and predicting” in the face of any disruption. Their goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by 54% by 2030, a commitment supported by the fact that “more than 50% of the equipment is already electric.” But this progress, he emphasized, does not replace human talent: “We leverage technology so that our people can thrive, define new roles, and get the most out of it.”

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Grupo CICE , a provider of port and logistics services, is in the final stages of construction of its Semi-Specialized Container and Cargo Terminal Project in the North Bay of the port of Veracruz, where it has invested just over seven billion pesos.

The company indicated that last Thursday, as a preamble, state and port authorities and CICE executives toured the construction area of ​​the terminal .

Among them were the Governor of Veracruz, Rocío Nahle , accompanied by Admiral Abraham Eloy Caballero Rosas, General Director of the National Port System Administration (Asipona) Veracruz , Ernesto Pérez Astorga, Secretary of Economic and Port Development, Alfonso Díaz de Vega, President of the Board of Directors of Grupo CICE, Leoncio Pérez López, General Director of Grupo CICE and other executives of the group.

According to a press release from Grupo CICE, Nahle said that Veracruz is the first port in Mexico and projects like this strengthen investment and job creation.

Last year, the port of Veracruz handled 32 million 905 thousand 033 tons of merchandise , which translated into a 4.7% drop compared to the previous year, according to data from the port authority.

In terms of container handling, the port handled 1,301,470 20-foot containers (TEU) last year, or 12.3% more than in 2023.

The new CICE terminal, awarded through a public tender, seeks to contribute to increasing the port’s capacity.

Its 22 hectares of surface area will have 550 linear meters of dock with 15 meters of draft, two berthing positions, a container yard with a static capacity of 13 thousand TEU and a dynamic capacity for handling more than 500 thousand TEU, a refrigerated container and dangerous cargo area, a warehouse of eight thousand square meters (m2), a multimodal yard with 1,970 meters of railway spur and a wastewater treatment plant, among others.

The first phase of operations is scheduled to begin in April 2025, marking the beginning of a new era for foreign trade in the region. The terminal, in addition to being a key point for maritime trade, will generate approximately 500 permanent direct jobs and more than 1,200 indirect jobs.

The project is financed with a syndicated loan for an amount of 4.15 billion pesos, with the participation of Mexican banks, including BanBajío (as agent bank), Banorte, Multiva, Bancomext, Bx+ and Monex, with the support of FIRA ; which represents one of the most ambitious construction projects in recent years in the state.

Grupo CICE, formed by a group of Mexican companies dedicated to the provision of port, logistics and land transportation services, was founded by 116 Mexican shareholders , whose experience as customs agents, shipping agents and in the transportation sector allowed them to lay the foundations for the formation of the group in Veracruz, Mexico, more than 30 years ago, in 1991.

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Grupo CICE, integrator of logistics services, reported on Thursday that it has inaugurated its third warehouse under the 3PL ( Third Party Logistics ) scheme in Monterrey, Nuevo León, under an investment of 1.9 million pesos.

This opening goes hand in hand with the company’s expansion plan , which already has two operational warehouses in the State of Mexico.

The new facility began operations this August 1, 2024, within the framework of the group’s thirty-third anniversary, extending CICE’s presence in the north of the country.

Located in the Stiva Aeropuerto Industrial Park, on Miguel Alemán Street km 23.7, Ciudad Apodaca, Nuevo León, it has a surface area of ​​seven thousand 730 square meters and benefits from a privileged location, since it is less than two km from the Airport. Monterrey International and with direct access to highways.

Likewise, “it offers optimal logistics connectivity to serve key industries such as automotive, electronics, industrial lighting, household appliances, refrigeration equipment, steel and derivatives,” according to a press release from Grupo CICE.

This location and its own characteristics allow for a reduction in inventory costs, improved operational efficiency, optimization of the supply chain and greater accuracy in demand forecasting. In addition, it provides flexibility in inventory management and enables tax deferral, essential benefits for national and IMMEX warehousing operations, value-added services and last mile distribution.

The launch of the warehouse improves the company’s capacity to handle volumes of merchandise that arrive in Veracruz and are subsequently manufactured in the north of the country for export to the United States.

Likewise, the proximity to Mexico’s busiest land border, in Nuevo Laredo//Laredo, and the customs and land transportation infrastructure in the region, ensure a continuous and efficient flow in the supply chain of its clients.

“In terms of technology, the warehouse is equipped with advanced inventory and appointment management systems, using Oracle EBS and WMS, implemented in the group’s other facilities, which guarantees precise and efficient control of all operations, offering a robust and efficient network of warehouses and logistics services throughout the country,” he stated.

Looking to the future, the company plans to continue its expansion with new facilities in Guadalajara by 2025 , underlining its commitment to expanding its portfolio of logistics solutions in Mexico, offering comprehensive and efficient services to a wide range of industrial sectors.

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