The Mexican government published the declaration of two development poles for the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) , located in Teapa, Tabasco, and Arriaga, Chiapas .

Through the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) , it specified that these actions allow the establishment of development poles, based on the productive vocations determined for the corresponding polygons of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region.

He explained that the Arriaga Development Pole for Well-being has an area of ​​more than 48 hectares and is located on the El Cocal rural estate, municipality of Arriaga, is adjacent to the K Line railway, in the section between Ciudad Ixtepec, Oaxaca, and Tonalá, Chiapas, and is located three kilometers (km) from the “Arriaga” station.

“The property has a strategic location, as it is located approximately 3.5 km from the city of Arriaga, on the Arriaga-Tapanatepec Oaxaca bypass, five km from the MEX-200 Tapanatepec-Talismán federal highway, adjacent to Line K and approximately 150 km from the Tuxtla Gutiérrez Airport or Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport,” he explained.

The following were identified for the development of the productive activities of this hub:

1. Agroindustry .
2. Electrical power generation and distribution equipment .
3. Metals .

Regarding the Teapa site, he explained that it has more than 98 hectares ; it is located in the Mariano Matamoros ranch and is adjacent to the FA Line in its El Chapo, Veracruz – Palenque, Chiapas section.

“The site has a strategic location, as it is located approximately six km from the MEX-195 Villahermosa-Escopetazo federal highway, eight km from the city of Teapa, four km from the FA Line railway in its El Chapo, Veracruz – Palenque, Chiapas section, and approximately 75 km from the Carlos Rovirosa Pérez International Airport or Villahermosa International Airport,” he specified.

The following were identified for the development of productive activities:

1. Agroindustry .
2. Petrochemicals .
3. Trade and Logistics .

According to the federal government, the development hubs are part of Plan Mexico and focus on a territorial development strategy to improve the regional economy.

In these spaces, infrastructure is being built to facilitate the arrival of companies and investments in order to generate jobs and strengthen local capacities.

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El cargo Two development hubs announced for the CIIT apareció primero en T21.

Mexico has the opportunity to end the decade as one of the world’s most important logistics platforms , but to achieve this it must solve structural problems that currently hinder its competitiveness: insufficient infrastructure, highway insecurity, port saturation and slow customs processes.

That was one of the main conclusions of the panel ” Plan 2030: A turning point for logistics in Mexico?” , within the framework of the XVI Logistics and Transport Seminar of Leschaco Mexicana .

During the conversation, the panelists agreed that the so-called “Mexico Plan” sets ambitious goals for 2030, such as positioning the country among the most important economies in the world, increasing strategic manufacturing and strengthening national content; however, they warned that growth cannot be sustained without a comprehensive logistics vision.

Shantal Torres, procurement director of Leschaco Mexicana, explained that the goal of the plan is not only to attract companies, but to develop the ecosystem that allows them to operate efficiently: ports, highways, railways, energy, water and regulatory processes.

“Mexico cannot compete solely on proximity to the United States; it needs to become a strong production and logistics platform,” he said.

One of the projects that exemplifies this commitment is the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) , which seeks to connect the Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico through railway infrastructure, ports and industrial development hubs.

Alejandra García, director of Trade Development at CIIT, highlighted that the corridor represents “the best opportunity” to position Mexico as an international logistics alternative within global supply chains.

He explained that the project is not new, but that it recently received significant investments in infrastructure and regulatory adjustments to facilitate interoceanic operations . Currently, the corridor is already handling automotive cargo crossings from Asia to the U.S. East Coast.

The official noted that the project offers advantages in terms of time and cost for companies in the south-southeast of the country that currently depend on more congested ports like Manzanillo or Veracruz. She even asserted that some routes could reduce maritime transit time by up to 20 days.

He also indicated that the corridor is focusing on three markets : domestic cargo, interoceanic crossings, and the future industrial movement derived from development hubs.

But while the country builds new projects, existing ports face increasing operational pressures.

José Antonio Contreras, CEO of Contecon Manzanillo , explained that the terminal has made significant investments to increase capacity and efficiency; however, the main bottleneck is no longer within the terminals, but in the access points and customs operations.

“The problem in Manzanillo is not the terminals, it’s the access points and the customs,” he stated.

The executive pointed out that the terminals operate 24/7, while customs maintains limited hours , causing delays in the release of goods and congestion at the country’s most important port.

He also warned about other critical challenges towards 2030, such as the lack of sufficient energy to support the electrification and modernization of port operations.

“We are being asked to move towards more sustainable operations, but we don’t have enough electricity supply,” he commented.

Contreras acknowledged that there are expansion and infrastructure projects relevant to the future of Manzanillo, but insisted that Mexico must first solve its current connectivity and cargo evacuation problems if it wants to remain competitive.

The executive emphasized that Contecon has strengthened its infrastructure in recent years and that the terminal currently has the conditions to continue growing in cargo volume. He even pointed out that the company handles large vessels thanks to the characteristics of its docks and the development of new expansion phases.

In this regard, he highlighted that Contecon Manzanillo has consolidated itself as the most important terminal in the country in terms of cargo movement, noting that this terminal alone moved more imports than the entire port of Lázaro Cárdenas.

“The Contecon terminal alone moved more imports than the entire city of Lázaro Cárdenas,” he stated.

From the perspective of the trucking industry, Noé Paredes, representative of the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (Canacar) , warned that the country faces a historical deficit of road infrastructure and a security crisis that directly impacts logistics costs.

He noted that 80% of trade between Mexico and the United States moves by road and that trucking moves around 60% of the national cargo.

However, he asserted that the infrastructure is insufficient and costly. While in the United States tolls represent between 1% and 2% of a carrier’s costs, in Mexico they can reach between 10% and 15%.

Added to this is the issue of insecurity. Paredes revealed that in the first quarter of 2026 there were already nearly 1,400 cargo truck robberies , so this could become the worst year for the sector since 2019.

“The infrastructure we have cannot even be used efficiently because of the insecurity,” he said.

The executive added that Mexico also faces a shortage of operators , an aging vehicle fleet, and a lack of adequate infrastructure for drivers.

Cinthia Moreno, a transport operator, also participated on this last point , sharing the vision of those who live on Mexican highways every day.

The operator acknowledged progress in female inclusion within the sector, but asserted that basic conditions for female transport workers are still lacking, such as adequate restrooms and spaces in many facilities.

Furthermore, he agreed that safety remains the main concern for those who work on the road.

“You don’t know if you’re going to make it back home when you go out,” he said.

At the close of the panel, the specialists agreed that the real challenge will be to coordinate infrastructure, regulation, security and logistics operations under a comprehensive vision that allows these advantages to be transformed into real competitiveness.

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El cargo Plan 2030, the challenge of turning Mexico into a logistics powerhouse apareció primero en T21.

The Mexican Chamber of the Maritime Transport Industry (Cameintram) ratified José Manuel Urreta Ortega as its president for the 2026 term , during the organization’s annual assembly held at the Confederation of Industrial Chambers (Concamin) , in an event where Admiral Gerardo de Jesús Toledo Guzmán, Undersecretary of Maritime and Port Affairs of the Secretariat of the Navy , swore in the National Board of Directors.

Upon assuming his second year at the helm of the agency, Urreta Ortega expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him by the country’s shipowners and their counterparts in the Mexican government and legislature, while outlining the key areas of focus for this new phase. “We have promoted efforts to incentivize shipbuilding and coastal shipping in Mexico , and we aim to maintain active collaboration in the development of policies to foster and develop the national merchant marine, in order to defend and promote greater participation by shipowners, service providers, and related maritime transport activities in Mexico,” he stated.

In his message, he stressed that port modernization will be a key factor for the sector’s growth, noting that “the progress of infrastructure projects will allow us to absorb the projected increases in maritime operations in the coming years.”

As part of its 2025 review, the organization reported progress in strengthening its institutional relationship with the Mexican Navy, the Port Captaincies and Maritime Affairs Unit, the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) , as well as with the authorities of the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) and the Navy Commission in the Chamber of Deputies . It also promoted new short sea shipping routes in coordination with the Port of Miami, in addition to holding working sessions with Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex ) to address issues related to payments to suppliers.

In international matters, Cameintram maintained collaboration with the International Maritime Organization on issues related to the decarbonization of the sector.

By 2026, the organization plans to continue its institutional collaboration with the federal government, particularly with the Secretariat of the Navy, as well as strengthen its relationship with Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex). Among its strategic projects, the Florida Project stands out, focused on developing short sea shipping routes between ports in the Gulf of Mexico and the state of Florida

The business leader pointed out that the sector’s main challenges are linked to the relocation of production chains, which demands greater efficiency in ports and fleets, as well as improvements in safety and connectivity in coastal shipping operations to reduce costs and transit times. In this context, he emphasized the opportunities presented by the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the sector’s participation in the renegotiations of the North American trade agreement.

Regarding cabotage, the aim is to increase the activity of affiliated companies in segments such as oil, offshore , mineral bulk, agricultural bulk and general cargo, in addition to strengthening coordination with authorities on regulatory issues, navigation permits and certifications.

Cameintram also promotes the development of shipyards in the country to strengthen shipbuilding and the national merchant fleet, which, according to the organization, would contribute to job creation and increased revenue, although this requires conditions such as legal certainty, financing schemes and customs facilitation.

In parallel, the sector faces the challenge of complying with international regulations for the reduction of polluting emissions, in line with the International Maritime Organization, as well as advancing in the adoption of digital tools and artificial intelligence for route optimization, vessel monitoring and supply chain management.

At the close of his remarks, Urreta Ortega emphasized the importance of maritime transport for the country’s foreign trade: “In this second year of work, we will sail together towards a more competitive, sustainable, and proudly Mexican maritime transport industry.”

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El cargo Urreta returns to lead Cameintram apareció primero en T21.

On March 27 of this year, Hyundai, South Korea’s largest vehicle manufacturer, became the first automaker to conduct a pilot test across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Interoceanic Corridor (CIIT), one of the flagship projects of Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s previous administration, which Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum will continue. It is being established as a logistics alternative for the transport of goods between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

David Plata, Head of Finished Vehicle Logistics in Mexico at Hyundai Glovis , the South Korean automaker’s global logistics operator, explains the details of this first pilot test in an interview with T21.

The Glovis Cosmos ship sailed from South Korea to arrive first at the port of Lázaro Cárdenas where it unloaded cargo, and then headed to the port of Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, with the 900 vehicles that were unloaded and transported via the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Railway (FIT) to the port of Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, where the RCC África ship departed on April 3 bound for the east coast of the United States.

The crossing into Mexico took six days, although Plata claims it actually took four. The delay: the ceremonies.

Following this initial logistical move, companies are reviewing efficiencies, timelines, costs, productivity, and other aspects to create a more consistent macro-operation and offer the route as an alternative to the Panama Canal.

“We are analyzing this first test together with the US team. The idea is to continue testing and for it to become a regular part of our logistics. We are in the evaluation process; the group will decide whether to continue or not, but we are working with everyone involved to make this project viable. We are reviewing the infrastructure and investment aspects, referring to greater draft, capacity and speed of trains, port space, among other things. The next test, if we do it, we would like to have a larger volume. The cost depends on the number of vehicles; the more vehicles we have, the more profitable it will be,” he explains.

Hyundai Glovis has more than 100 Ro-Ro (Roll On – Roll Off) vesselsspecialized in the transport of automobiles, with a capacity of 4,000 to 10,500 vehicles , which cross the Panama Canal weekly.

Dear reader, if you wish to continue reading this article, which appears in the May 2025 issue of T21 magazine, we invite you to review the electronic version by clicking here .

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El cargo Hyundai Glovis, CIIT’s first logistics “believer” apareció primero en T21.

With a comprehensive vision that includes the development of the population of the surrounding communities and bringing them well-being to improve their quality of life and, of course, being a reference in the mobilization of goods , the captain of the ship Juan Francisco Ríos Gómez, general director of Ports, attached to the General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine , of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) , highlighted the competitive advantages of the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) , to take advantage of the benefits offered by the relocation of production lines in the country ( nearshoring ).

At the opening of the first forum “The nearshoring wave : Challenges and opportunities for port development”, headed by Captain Manuel Fernando Gutiérrez Gallardo , General Coordinator of Ports and Merchant Marine, Ríos Gómez emphasized that it is necessary to look to the sea, since ports are where most of the merchandise moves .

In turn, Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles , general director of CIIT, offered the keynote lecture “The Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, the project that will transform the country” , where he explained its benefits.

He pointed out that CIIT has the advantage of connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans , and has the ports of Salina Cruz, Oaxaca; Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz; Puerto Chiapas, Chiapas, and Dos Bocas, Tabasco, interconnected by the Isthmus of Tehuantepec railroad and a highway system.

He recalled that the interoceanic corridor offers direct access from Asian ports to the 25 metropolitan areas on the central and eastern coasts of the United States , thus providing access to the fastest-growing markets in the United States.

He said there are 1,189 kilometers of railway tracks on three lines and branches in the process of rehabilitation with a capacity of up to 65 cars per train with various types of cargo. In addition, 5,200 tons per trip and 260 containers per trip with double stowage.

In the case of passengers, he indicated that the train has the capacity to transport 400 users and up to 2,400 travelers per day.

He reported that they hope to reach Guatemala in the third quarter of 2025 and said that an intermodal yard will be developed in the municipality of Suchiate, Chiapas, for which they have already established communication with the authorities of that Central American country.

He added that 200 kilometers of roads will be donated to Guatemala to strengthen trade in the southern part of Mexico, which he called a “win-win.”

Social benefit

The CIIT project also seeks to improve the quality of life of the communities living near these areas, so 12 development centers for well-being will be established , and there will be a Marine infantry brigade with more than two thousand elements, among other benefits.

In addition, the Huixtla-Parque Lineal Viaduct’s K and KA railway lines are expected to generate 80 thousand square meters of parks , walkways, sports spaces and recreational areas, with a growth of 2000% compared to the existing public space.

However, Morales Ángeles emphasized that in order to make CIIT more competitive, it is necessary to lower costs. He explained that if a contender were to be moved from Shanghai, China to Atlanta, United States, the cost would be $3,709 in the port of Salina Cruz, while in Panama it would be $3,411 .

What economic benefits will nearshoring bring to Mexico?

Among the advantages that Mexico has to trigger nearshoring , such as its proximity to the United States, which is the largest consumer market, and its qualified workforce, another benefit is economic .

The panel “Economic benefits of nearshoring in Mexico” addressed the construction of infrastructure, the training of customs personnel, the importance of the regulatory framework, as well as the adoption of digital tools as determining factors to improve and adapt to the new wave of relocation of production lines in Mexico.

During her speech, the general director of the Latin American Confederation of Customs Agents (CLAA) , Nashielly Escobedo Pérez, said that the chip has to be changed to take advantage of nearshoring , derived from the increase in the volume of operations in foreign trade.

Meanwhile, the director of strategic accounts at Scontinuidad Latam, Lucero Adriana Zamora García , stressed the importance of implementing technologies in ports, and highlighted the geographical location of the Strait of Oaxaca .

In turn, the general director of ADN Abogados , Arturo Hernández de la Cruz , stated that the training and education of staff is crucial for the correct functioning of ports, and he emphasized knowledge of the legislation and the transit regime in customs.

To foster dialogue on the opportunities presented by  nearshoring , Grupo T21 will organize the  Transportation and Logistics Meeting (ETYL)  on October 9 and 10 in Nuevo León. With the central theme “Maximizing logistics opportunities with  nearshoring ,” this event will bring together important industry leaders in Mexico. For more information, you can check all the details by clicking  here .

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El cargo Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec: A Comprehensive Vision for Nearshoring and Community Well-being apareció primero en T21.

The authorities of the Tehuantepec Isthmus Railway (FIT) plan to offer a double stowage service next year, which would allow it to mobilize up to 260 20-foot containers (TEU) for each train run.

Rear Admiral Alan Cruz Saba, general director of the FIT, explained that due to the orography and slopes of the region, the train’s movement capacity is 65 cars, which allows it to move 130 TEU.

“The perspective we have is the movement of double-stacked containers, cargo is already taking place, agricultural cargo, wheat, cement, cargo in general,” he said in a presentation during the monthly meeting of the Mexican Intermodal Transport Association. (AMTI) .

Carlos Barreda Westphal, director of the Ferroviaria.mx platform , explained that double stowage is in the transport of containerized cargo and depends on the existence of infrastructure and terminals to carry it out.

He recalled that previously  the FIT could not provide this service due to the conditions of the road , “they were never kept in good condition, and there were also no volumes of cargo to drive it.”

Alan Cruz Saba said that, as part of the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) , they aim to implement a multimodal logistics platform that can enhance the growth and development of the country.

“This is not only a corridor, it is not only a train, it is not only about generating money but about supporting the economy, helping families in the region and with the implementation of the Development Poles (of Wellbeing) not only “We are going to ensure that the industry is there, but they are also going to have income because they are going to have to build schools and various services,” he explained.

The FIT is part of the CIIT presidential project with which the Mexican government has made available investments to adapt both the train tracks, as well as to develop new infrastructure around the seaports, as well as the dry ports or industrial parks that are being built. They have put out to tender to host companies from multiple sectors.

The CIIT, as its managers have specified, is not intended as a competition for the Panama Canal, but rather as an alternative interoceanic crossing (between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans) for goods.

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El cargo Ferrocarril del Istmo de Tehuantepec Will Offer Double Stowage Service in 2025 apareció primero en T21.

The Tax Administration Service (SAT) and the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) have announced that, in order to improve efficiency and help position the Tehuantepec Isthmus Interoceanic Corridor (CIIT) as a key point in commercial logistics, there will be “new facilities” for transporting goods by land and rail along this route.

In this regard, they stated that in the recently published First Resolution of Modifications to the General Rules of Foreign Trade for 2024, rule 4.6.28 was added, International Transit of Goods through the Tehuantepec Isthmus Interoceanic Corridor between the customs of Salina Cruz and Coatzacoalcos and vice versa.

This new rule will allow individuals or legal entities to take advantage of the facilities to transport their goods through the CIIT, making trade and the flow of goods more agile and efficient through land and rail transport, according to the bulletin from both federal offices.

Therefore, they indicated that they have promoted the modernization of road and rail infrastructure in various municipalities of Oaxaca and Veracruz.

CIIT will offer national and international cargo services, transportation, storage, packaging, and various logistical services, contributing to the trade, development, and economy of the region.

SAT and ANAM stated that these measures contribute to the Mexican government’s project aimed at improving the efficiency of goods transportation, positioning this route as a key point in commercial logistics, increasing the interest of global markets in mobilizing various products as a strategic, modern, efficient, and safe alternative.

CIIT under construction

The ports of Salina Cruz in Oaxaca and Coatzacoalcos in Veracruz are part of the logistics infrastructure that the CIIT project includes to support international movements of inputs or products from companies deciding to invest in development hubs or, in another market niche, as an interoceanic crossing point for goods.

Last year, the Mexican government added the ports of Dos Bocas in Tabasco and Puerto Chiapas as part of this same logistics infrastructure.

Currently, these four seaports serve the logistics demand of foreign trade activities of companies related to the chemical, petrochemical, plastics, construction supplies, and agricultural sectors, mainly.

The government’s plan is to attract between 1.3 and 1.4 million 20-foot containers (TEU) currently transiting from Asia and arriving at seaports in California, as well as the Panama Canal, which aim to reach the Midwest of the United States, a market of at least 11 million TEU.

The Tehuantepec Isthmus is the narrowest area of Mexican territory where 10 development hubs will be built, where the government will allow industrial park developers to make their real estate investments and thus attract production companies.

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El cargo SAT and ANAM Announce “New Transport Facilities” for the Tehuantepec Isthmus Interoceanic Corridor apareció primero en T21.

The Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) highlighted on Monday the urgency of addressing energy poverty in the southern-southeastern region of Mexico. Despite being one of the areas with the highest natural gas processing in the country, there is a widespread lack of access to this fuel in the region.

This issue is closely linked to deficiencies in the economic and social development of the area, according to the study published by IMCO.

The document proposes specific measures to address these challenges, such as facilitating investment in natural gas transportation infrastructure, expanding the pipeline network to the south-southeast, and replacing coal-fired electricity generation with natural gas.

It also emphasizes the need to harness the complementarity between combined-cycle power plants and renewable energies.

Despite being a prominent region in natural gas processing at the national level, there is a widespread lack of access to this resource in the south-southeast, with over 40% of households in states like Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Guerrero relying on firewood as the primary energy source, a figure significantly higher than the national average.

Furthermore, the penetration of natural gas in households is minimal compared to other regions of the country, being virtually nonexistent in places like Campeche, despite its significance as a national-level producer.

The high costs of electricity in the south-southeast represent another significant challenge, impacting both households and industries and limiting the attraction of new investments in the region.

The statement emphasizes the need for the federal government to take concrete measures to improve conditions in the south-southeast and enhance its attractiveness for investment.

Although projects like the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) and the Development Poles for Well-being (Podebis) can play an important role in this process, it is imperative to address energy poverty affecting the region first.

The CIIT, a federal government initiative, aims to boost economic development in the south-southeast of Mexico by creating an efficient logistical connection between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, facilitating trade between Asia and America.

Within this framework, the creation of the Podebis aims to generate employment, promote investment, and improve living conditions in the region, aligning with the objectives of the Program for the Development of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, which seeks to promote comprehensive and sustainable development in the region and enhance the quality of life of its inhabitants.

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El cargo IMCO Warns of Energy Poverty in Southern Mexico; Proposes These Solutions apareció primero en T21.