The land transportation of hydrocarbons faces a complex situation, with the entry into force of new regulations (beaconing rules, QR codes, and the Hydrocarbons Law regulations), which have imposed an additional burden on companies that transport fuels in Mexico, according to specialists.

During the panel “Impacts of the new regulatory framework on fuel transportation and storage ,” held at the Midstream Forum Mexico 2025 , organized by Grupo T21 ( Energy21 and T21 ), participants agreed that these provisions result in higher costs, duplicate procedures and a climate of regulatory uncertainty.

In this regard, Marcial Díaz Ibarra, president of the Association of Energy Sector Regulated Companies (ARSE) , warned that this overregulation “far from helping, is hindering daily life,” and noted that fuel transportation in Mexico—a high-demand, high-risk activity—requires clear rules that are also viable for the companies that support it.

According to the panelists, the implementation of QR codes  to strengthen traceability and control of fuel transportation entailed additional costs ranging from three thousand to ten thousand pesos per unit, in addition to the need to re-register vehicles with the National Energy Commission (CNE) .

This process revealed delays, creating a new source of risk for transporters, according to Alicia Zazueta, CEO of Eservices , who noted that many business owners “discovered that not all of their units were authorized by the authority, despite operating for years,” so she urged a review of current permits and registrations on the platform of the former Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE).

Adding to this is the confusion among authorities . Arrests by state and municipal agencies—without federal jurisdiction—have become a source of extortion and uncertainty. “The most serious thing isn’t the fine, but being linked to the illicit origin of the hydrocarbons,” the panelists explained.

The “man-truck” challenge

Compliance with the new regulations hits small transporters particularly hard.

“If large companies struggle to stop their vehicles to mark them, imagine the truck driver who makes two trips a day,” said Fabiola Tomasini, senior partner at GMB Abogados .

Added to this are civil and environmental liability policies that can exceed 10,000 pesos annually, a figure difficult to absorb for those operating on minimal margins.

The operator has become the most vulnerable link in the system, explained Sayonara Jarillo, an independent consultant, who warned that “many do not know how to defend themselves during an inspection or arrest, which worsens the situation.”

He proposed strengthening legal training for operators, since “on the road, ignorance can lead not only to a fine, but also to a serious charge.” In an environment where road safety and inspections are constant, training becomes a survival tool.

Among the new regulatory tools is the SIRACP platform , which will require companies to manually record information on operators, units, and products transported.

Omar Camacho, General Manager of Motive Mexico , believes the challenge will be twofold: administrative burden and data security.

“The authority will have real-time mapping of all units that transport oil products. If this information falls into the wrong hands, the consequences would be serious,” he noted, emphasizing the need to ensure the cybersecurity of the CNE’s systems.

Despite the adverse context, the panelists agreed that these provisions could represent an opportunity to professionalize the sector .

“The fuel market is becoming more formal; there will be opportunities, but they won’t be for everyone; they will only be for those who are able to comply with the regulations,” Díaz Ibarra emphasized.

He acknowledged that dialogue with the authorities will be key to adjusting the guidelines and preventing regulations from hindering the competitiveness of land-based hydrocarbon transportation.

Comment and follow us on X:  @karinaquintero  /  @GrupoT2

El cargo New provisions make hydrocarbon transportation more expensive apareció primero en T21.

In the last six months, Mexico’s National Customs Agency (ANAM) has seized more than 80 million liters of illegal hydrocarbons through various modes of transport, dealing a blow to smuggling worth more than five billion pesos .

Alex Tonatiuh Márquez Hernández, director general of Customs Investigation at ANAM, stated that they have identified companies that have participated in these actions, which have become richer in less than two years. These companies begin by declaring smaller quantities of products, different tariff fractions, food supplies, among other things.

“It’s a network of connections, because the scale of the assets we detected was immeasurable. We can’t say there was an omission when there was collusion. They’re migrating. They saw that we started detaining ships at different ports. Now it’s become easier, because we’re going through railroads, and they saw that we started detaining many railroads, more than 254, which represents more than 50 million liters, and they returned to the tanker scheme. We have very well identified the customs offices that have contraband, the customs agents who contribute, mainly at border customs offices, which is where we have detected them, and the companies that have been migrating,” he explained.

Márquez Hernández emphasized that this type of conduct has been uncovered through the use of pre-validators, who validate hydrocarbon petitions even if they are not dedicated to this sector. “We have even skipped chapters; we have detected hydrocarbon smuggling, declaring fuel as paprika, ethylene, methanol, or calcium hydrochloride .”

During the ANAM-CAAAREM master class on Hydrocarbon Import Practices , he commented that less than 10% of customs agents carry out illicit practices in the handling of hydrocarbons.

To date, 903 foreign trade transactions have been analyzed, revealing that customs agents working with huachicol are experiencing higher rates of smuggling, technical smuggling, and undervaluation.

As a result of the analysis work with the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), 20 investigation files have been reviewed, identifying and seizing merchandise imported by companies such as Logística y Asesoría Aduanera R&R Asociados, Servicios Aduanales JR, and Ingemar , the latter involving the tanker truck operation detected on July 7.

“(Ingemar) was so aware of the illegal act that two hours before we detained them, at the moment we stopped the train, he sought to rectify the request. This means that it is not an omission by the customs agent, but rather he is in contact with the importer and with the person committing the criminal act, and they are waiting in case the authority is careless,” he explained.

Under this scenario, he emphasized that they will continue working to detect personnel involved in crimes, verify hydrocarbon imports, and export merchandise, in coordination with railways and other suppliers abroad.

Javier Coello Zuarth, director of the Coello Trejo y Asociados law firm , emphasized that some of the recommendations for handling this type of merchandise include knowing the client, their corporate purpose, having documentation that supports the foreign trade operation, tariff classification, permits, among others.

“It’s not just that we’re the ones being investigated in a case file we have nothing to do with. As criminal lawyers, we can use this information to help authorities find those truly responsible for any illegal introduction of merchandise into the country,” he said.

José Ignacio Zaragoza Ambrosi, president of the Confederation of Associations of Customs Agents of the Mexican Republic (CAAAREM) , said that it is a strategic issue and is linked to national security and the country’s stability.

“The hydrocarbon sector is one of the most sensitive and strategic sectors for Mexico, affecting not only the economy but also strategic energy security and social stability. Therefore, CAAAREM’s technological expertise and professional organization are at the service of the Mexican government to strengthen the work of ANAM and guarantee modern and secure customs,” he commented.

He emphasized that the agency is cooperating with alerts on the pre-validator, which allows for the detection of irregularities in real time and the prevention of high-risk operations, digital audits on the behavior of petroleum imports, the design of more effective strategies and controls, and operational and technical advice.

Comment and follow us on X:  @evandeltoro  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo ANAM seizes more than 80 million liters of hydrocarbons apareció primero en T21.

Trareysa is undergoing one of its most ambitious stages: consolidating its position as the leading hydrocarbon transportation company in Mexico , under the leadership of Felipe Emmanuel García Hernández, its General Director of Transformation.

With nearly 600 units in operation , a national presence, and an international division with 40 units in Texas under the name Trareysa LLC , the company plans to grow 30% by 2025 and climb positions in the national ranking of the sector.

“We are laying the foundation to achieve a very aggressive goal: to be among the top 15 transportation companies in Mexico by 2030,” García said.

With more than two decades of history , the company seeks to continue evolving. In 2024, Trareysa managed to reduce its accident rate by 40% thanks to a strategy that combined operational, technological, and organizational actions.

This was complemented by the implementation of preventive methodologies and the refinement of operator profiles. Furthermore, the road safety committee, which previously met only after an accident, now meets weekly to anticipate risks.

“We don’t just look for drivers; we look for the best. Today, more than a license, we require experience and commitment. That has been key to changing the culture,” García explained to T21.

The company also implemented a demanding recruitment model , requiring extensive operator experience. This strategy is reinforced by a competitive salary structure, above the national average, which has helped reduce staff turnover and maintain an average of five years’ seniority among operators.

In 2024, it also stood out for having key certifications such as the Socially Responsible Company (ESR) , in addition to obtaining the Drive is Great certification, aimed at recognizing those companies that have successfully managed their operators by building solid structures, having qualified talent, organizational capabilities and innovative processes.

The company also promotes preventive maintenance , route optimization, and monthly training on environmental and safety issues. All of this is aimed at minimizing impacts and ensuring compliance with local and international standards.

The company’s operating structure consists of seven divisions : Industrial, Carriers (focused on Pemex interrefineries), Burgos, Derivatives and Lubricants, Pressure and Vacuum (for wells), International, and Marketing. This segmentation has allowed it to diversify its service portfolio, adapt to the challenges of the economic climate, and serve different sectors with specialized solutions.

“Our big challenge this year is to consolidate what we’ve built: to ensure the operation doesn’t get out of hand due to uncontrolled growth. Many are already buying units or gaining customers, but few stop to check if they’re doing things right,” García said.

With operations throughout the Gulf of Mexico and a network spanning from Baja California to Yucatán, the company maintains a presence in strategic terminals in Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Veracruz, Villahermosa, and the Iberian Peninsula, with active operations in Mexico City, Chihuahua, and Coahuila, among others. Currently, 80% of its operations are focused on services for Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) .

Although he acknowledged that economic uncertainty and tariff announcements , such as those promoted by US President Donald Trump, are creating tension in the sector, Felipe García asserted that the diversification strategy and focus on hydrocarbons have partially shielded them.

In the first quarter of 2025, Trareysa is already reporting growth of over 100% in its transportation services. And while other companies in the sector prioritize filling vacancies quickly, Trareysa is committed to raising the bar. The long-term goal is clear: to double its fleet and become the largest hydrocarbon transportation company in the country.

The company continues to adjust its consolidation strategy based on the progress made and future goals set. The path to greater participation in the sector is underway.

Comment and follow us on X: @karinaquintero / @GrupoT21

El cargo Trareysa’s new route: efficiency, expansion, and leadership apareció primero en T21.

The recent publication in the Official Gazette of a decree issued by the National Agency of Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection in the Hydrocarbons Sector (ASEA) has shaken the foundations of the Mexican energy sector, as it introduces substantial changes in the “administrative provisions” regulating mandatory insurance for companies operating in the hydrocarbon and petroleum sphere.

However, more than just a regulatory adjustment, these modifications represent a radical shift in the way corporate responsibility is conceived in this sector.

One of the main novelties of this decree is the elimination of minimum coverage amounts for insurance policies. Until now, regulated companies were subject to predefined liability limits, which in many cases resulted in excessive financial burden.

By allowing companies to determine their own coverage limits, either in collaboration with insurance institutions or independently, they are provided with greater flexibility to adapt to their specific needs and circumstances.

However, this freedom does not come without its corresponding responsibilities.

In this regard, Marcial Díaz Ibarra, from QUA Energy, commented to T21 that “the relevant aspects of the decree are two, the obligation to have an insurance policy for the activity carried out and that the regulated entity is responsible for the risk generated even if the amount is greater than the one insured.”

Furthermore, he explained that these provisions are necessary “to provide certainty to the areas where the regulated installations are located. The State cannot do it alone, and it is the obligation of the regulated entity to cover the damages caused.”

He added that these provisions represent a significant change in the way regulated companies manage their risks and responsibilities.

“Previously, they were limited by the minimum coverage amounts established, which sometimes did not fully reflect the level of risk involved in their operations. Now, with the freedom to determine the liability limits in their insurance policies, these companies can better tailor their risk management strategies to the specifics of their activities. This gives them greater flexibility to mitigate risks and protect both companies and the environment more effectively,” Marcial Díaz noted.

Regarding future improvements in the regulatory framework of the sector, Díaz suggested the implementation of a one-stop shop for handling procedures, which would significantly reduce regulatory burden by avoiding the repetition of processes with different agencies.

These modifications represent progress towards a more efficient and transparent regulatory framework in the hydrocarbons sector in Mexico, with significant impacts on both company operations and environmental protection and operational safety.

Comment and follow us on X: @GrupoT21

El cargo Energy Sector, Revolutionized after Changes in Insurance and Corporate Liability? apareció primero en T21.