In an environment where exogenous factors such as geopolitics impose new conditions on the supply chain and the new composition of demand requires efficiencies and productivity, recognizing leadership profiles in logistics is fundamental .

Developing human capital in logistics is not an option, but an imperative necessity to guarantee resilient operations, optimize costs, and position Mexican companies at the forefront of the international industry.

Within this framework, the 2nd edition of the Mictlán Award for Logistics Trajectory was developed , under the motto “The Awakening of the Giants”, focused on recognizing those who have built Mexican and world logistics.

The Mictlán Award recognizes executives with more than 20 years of experience in the following categories: Intermodal, Logistics Operator, Logistics Executive, Transportation, Logistics Security, and Talent Development .

In this 2nd edition in the Intermodal category, Fernando Ramos Casas, CEO of Borderless Consulting Group , was awarded for being a promoter of this activity, not only for having been president of the Mexican Association of Intermodal Transport (AMTI) in the 2013–2016 cycle.

Fernando Ramos assumes the presidency of AMTI

Fernando Ramos has represented various organizations, including the Latin American Confederation of Customs Agents (CLAA) , the Mexican Maritime Port Council (Comport), and others. Ramos Casas also serves as an editorial advisor for Grupo T21.

The other recognized executives were Miguel Quintanilla Hernández, president of Grupo TUM (member of the Top 100 of Autotransport® ), as Transportation Executive , who is part of the third generation in this activity.

Carlos Caratachea Blanco, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Alpura , was recognized as a Logistics Executive . Carlos has over 32 years of experience in various logistics positions at different companies .

In the Logistics Operator category , the Mictlán Award was presented to Rubén Imán Treviño, Principal Chief Executive Officer of Onest SmartLogistics .

Meanwhile, the executive in Logistics Security was highlighted Armando Zúñiga Salinas, from ASUME , National Society of Private Security Industries and IPS Group .

José Antonio Tovar Lara, rector of the Technological University of Nuevo Laredo , was distinguished in the Talent Development category .

Based on information from the Mictlán Award , the prize seeks to recognize careers linked to the development of Mexican logistics and to highlight the dedication, the crises overcome and the capacity of those who participate in an activity that is strategic for the country.

 (Main photo taken from Arturo Frías’ LinkedIn account  ).

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El cargo Mictlán Award recognizes logistics careers; Fernando Ramos’ work in intermodal stands out apareció primero en T21.

The meat trade between Mexico and the United States demands a logistics system capable of maintaining timeliness, food safety, and the cold chain. Although trucking dominates border crossings, rail is beginning to gain ground as an alternative for building intermodal, two-way routes .

In 2025, Mexico imported more than 1.24 million tons of pork and 209,000 tons of beef from the United States , with a combined value exceeding $4.1 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) . Mexico also exported meat to 27 countries and shipped 304,000 tons to the U.S. market, representing 65.6% of its total exports, according to the 2025 Statistical Compendium of the Mexican Meat Council (Comecarne) .

This influx opened up opportunities for refrigerated rail services. In August 2025, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) of Mexico announced the addition of SuKarne to its refrigerated container solution, operated with Americold to the United States.

“We have Senasica personnel in an office alongside USDA staff to handle meat imports and expedite inspections from Kansas City. What we’re trying to do is streamline the process. Senasica welcomed this as a way to alleviate congestion and provide support at the border. In Salinas Victoria, we have an inspection point, and obviously in Laredo, where many shipments converge. Finally, at the Toluca ramp, we just received permission to receive grains, cotton, and dog food,” explained Linda Hernández, Business and Industrial Development Manager for the company, at the 2026 National Freight Transportation Forum of the National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) .

CPKC has 1,000 temperature-controlled containers and four inspection points at the point of origin authorized by the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (Senasica) . This aims to prevent disruptions and delays.

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El cargo On steel rails: the new meat route apareció primero en T21.

Despite a challenging environment, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) recorded a 4% growth in cargo volume and a 13% increase in revenue during the second quarter of 2026 (2Q26) compared to the same period in 2025.

“During the quarter, we set volume records in grains, energy, chemicals, plastics, and automotive. We also made progress on several important business initiatives that reinforce our long-term growth story,” said Keith Creel, president and CEO of CPKC.

He noted that the launch of Southeast Mexico Express, the continued growth of the Mexico Midwest Express service, the opening of another Americold facility from the port of Saint John in Canada, and the continued increase in traffic flow between Canada and Mexico have a positive impact on the railroad.

According to its second quarterly report, the railway company’s revenues totaled four billion 2 billion dollars (USD) , compared to three billion 7 billion dollars in the second quarter of 2025 (2Q25).

During the cycle, CPKC recorded record grain handling revenue, with a 24% increase in income compared to a 19% volume growth. Canadian grain volumes rose 24%, driven by a record harvest and continued growth in markets such as Mexico.

Meanwhile, exports from the United States increased by 14%, also driven by strong demand for Mexico and Pacific Northwest markets.

Meanwhile, in the automotive segment, revenues increased by 19% with an 8% volume growth , representing another record quarter.

“Growth was driven by the acquisition of new businesses and the extension of journey lengths, as the sector continues to be a compelling example of the value of our three-country network,” the company emphasized.

For intermodal, revenue increased by 11% with stable volumes . Domestic intermodal saw a 3% increase in the quarter. “We are encouraged by the initial success of our SMX service with CSX, with volumes increasing by more than 30% since the first quarter,” he said.

“We are seeing signs of improvement in truck-to-rail conversion opportunities, supported by higher fuel prices, stricter enforcement of regulations, and reduced trucking capacity. Both our MMX and SMX services are well-positioned to capitalize on these favorable market dynamics,” said John Brooks, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer of CPKC.

Meanwhile, potash revenues rose 10% year-on-year  against a 2% drop in volume, reflecting the impact of port maintenance and lower mining production.

Revenue from forest products increased by 2% despite a 2% decrease in volume, while the metals, minerals and consumer products segment advanced 16% annually with a 7% growth in volume.

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El cargo CPKC reports increased volume and revenue in the second quarter of 2026 apareció primero en T21.

Given the congestion and accident rates on Mexico’s highways, it is necessary to increase freight movement by rail , with intermodal transport being the best alternative, according to Carlos Martner, coordinator of Integrated Transport and Logistics at the Mexican Transportation Institute (IMT) .

During his participation in the  XXV National Meeting of Land Transportation , organized by the Mexican Association of Land Transportation Engineering (AMIVTAC) , the specialist stated that land freight transport is considered unfeasible in the medium and long term, due to congestion in the main highway corridors that results in delays, higher maintenance costs and increased pollution.

“ The railway has to participate much more in the movement of cargo flows in the country and it certainly has the potential to do so, and in this perspective what stands out is intermodal transport, which is characterized, above all, by transporting containers by rail from both ports and land borders, as well as domestic flows in inland terminals,” he stressed.

He explained that actions are needed to transition to digitized intermodal transport and achieve real-time synchronization to promote a more balanced national freight transport network, with lower costs, polluting emissions and accidents .

He explained that since the late 1990s, intermodal transport has registered significant growth, although since 2011 it has slowed to a rate of 4.2%; however, it represents a tenth of the freight flows by rail, so “it still has a huge opportunity for growth.”

The specialist specified that the cross-border segment moved more than one million TEUs (20-foot containers) in 2025 , with an average annual growth rate of 5.1% between 2019 and 2025. Meanwhile, maritime intermodal registered a minimal increase of 0.34% in the same period; while domestic intermodal moved 209,000 TEUs last year, with an average annual growth rate of 12.1% in 2019-2025.

“It is in this segment where we believe there are very large opportunities to shift cargo from trucks to intermodal flows and origin-destination pairs that we have identified as having potential, but policies and a governance mechanism are required to make this modal shift happen; for years we have made estimates of the potential of intermodal transport in Mexico, projections and not much has happened,” he stated.

Similarly, Martner said that part of the challenge in carrying out the transition to intermodal is ” the absence of a governance framework capable of managing a large-scale interconnected logistics ecosystem.”

“If we ignore current trends, intermodal transport will continue to grow, but it will never be enough to counter the greater growth in road transport. There also need to be relatively simple policy actions that would help stimulate this mode of transport in some way, for example, creating specific protocols to immediately address blockages on railway lines ,” he stated.

He also considered that it is necessary to facilitate and standardize customs processes, and to digitize procedures and documents .

“In the case of intermodal transport, documents are required that are not required for road transport, such as Annex 29 of Foreign Trade, which has no use and yet affects and discourages the use of this mode of transport,” he argued.

In addition to establishing incentives for the use of less polluting transport , as well as controls on weights and dimensions for freight transport, “we see that the regulations are quite generous with this mode, and everything is detrimental to stimulating competition with intermodal transport,” he concluded.

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El cargo Intermodal transport, an alternative to reduce congestion and accidents on roads: IMT apareció primero en T21.

The  Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported a 9.8% increase in freight movement between Mexico and the United States during the first 27 weeks of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.

According to the agency, the accumulated volume on Mexican railways during that period was 700,187 railcars and containers, as well as intermodal trailers .

In that sense, intermodal had a growth of 15.5%, grains registered an increase of 12.2%, while vehicles and parts increased 9.5% year-on-year.

Conversely, the AAR detailed that four segments experienced declines: coal; forest products; oil and its derivatives; and other products with 98.9%, 14.8%, 11.8% and 14.9%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

He detailed that Mexican railway companies reported 14,182 loaded railcars in the week ending July 11, an increase of 24.6% compared to the same period in 2025, and 14,082 intermodal units , which meant an annual increase of 55.4 percent.

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El cargo Full steam ahead! Rail freight between Mexico and the US is growing: AAR apareció primero en T21.

In a logistics environment marked by structural adjustments and expectations of reactivation, Schneider is positioning itself as one of the players seeking to capitalize on intermodal transport in North America, especially in the cross-border corridor between Mexico and the United States .

The industry is facing a process of structural rationalization of supply, particularly in the United States, where the market is experiencing adjustments in available capacity , says Michael Baumgardt, senior vice president of Intermodal at Schneider.

“We are seeing a structural change in the supply. I don’t think we are at the end of this process yet, but it has clearly begun to gain momentum,” Baumgardt elaborates.

In this regard, he explains that while demand has remained relatively stable, the main focus for logistics operators is on available capacity, as after several years of adjustments, they are facing new market scenarios. Therefore, companies’ ability to react will be crucial in the event of a surge in demand , a scenario that could translate into greater operational demands and growth opportunities.

It mentions that one of the main challenges for 2026 is responding to an environment where shippers will need greater flexibility and multimodal solutions that reduce operational risks. Furthermore, customers are increasingly seeking reliable services with competitive transit times and high levels of security, without having to sacrifice efficiency compared to traditional trucking.

In that context, he argues that intermodal transport is beginning to gain ground among companies that have historically relied solely on road transport.

“Today there are many opportunities for customers to integrate intermodal as a complement to existing transport networks, especially considering the structural capacity challenges we see in the market,” he adds.

Currently, Schneider combines intermodal operations with land freight capabilities and logistics services, allowing customers to integrate different modes of transport within the same network.

One of the key projects in this evolution has been the development of the Midwest Mexico Express (MMX) corridor , driven in conjunction with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) . Almost two years after its implementation, Baumgardt notes that the service has generated interest among various shippers thanks to its speed and operational consistency.

“We were looking for a direct service that would allow us to reduce transit times, and CPKC offers expedited service combined with Schneider’s capacity, which has enabled us to offer a differentiated service focused on improving reliability and operational efficiency. Furthermore, intermodal transport is generally more fuel-efficient than long-distance trucking,” says Bernardo Rodarte, Vice President and General Manager of Schneider Mexico.

By Evangelina del Toro and Jennifer Galindo.

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El cargo Schneider picks up speed with intermodal apareció primero en T21.

Werner Enterprises , a transportation and logistics provider, announced the expansion of its intermodal offering in Mexico , with which it seeks to offer local customers more reliable shipping options.

In that regard, the firm is deploying its fleet of 53-foot containers in the Mexican market, adding 400 units that will enter the network during 2026 , bringing the total to 800.

“We want Mexican companies to know that there is a local, asset-based solution ready for them. We have the expertise to simplify cross-border transportation. By combining our advanced tracking technology with 24/7 bilingual support, we eliminate friction in cross-border trade and make the process more efficient than ever,” said Bernardo Alexander, Vice President of Sales for Werner in Mexico.

The intermodal approach will begin in Monterrey, Nuevo León, and Silao, Guanajuato , with the addition of the Mexico City market in the second half of 2026. “Demand has remained stable over the past 12 months, representing a great opportunity to expand our growing asset presence in the country.”

He explained that this service provides security and visibility , since 100% of the containers have GPS and cargo cameras, in addition to having CTPAT certified carriers for all cross-border cargo.

Bernardo Alexander indicated that his teams are on the ground near Monterrey, Silao, and Pantaco. “We offer bilingual customer service 24 hours a day and maintain strong relationships with customs brokers at every Mexican rail terminal,” he emphasized.

“Intermodal offers a stable, long-term approach to pricing and capacity that can help shippers manage their budgets in a changing and volatile truckload capacity market,” he added.

He also explained that transporting goods by rail significantly reduces carbon emissions , “helping our customers achieve their environmental goals.”

According to the Association of American Railroads (AAR) , rail traffic in Mexico consolidated a growth of 10.2% during the first 12 weeks of 2026, reaching a total of 317,730 cars and intermodal units, compared to the same period in 2025.

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El cargo Werner Enterprises will double its intermodal offering in Mexico apareció primero en T21.

In an environment of uncertainty, insecurity and cost overruns, industry leaders agreed that logistics in Mexico is facing one of its most complex, but also decisive, moments for its transformation.

During the dialogue panel “Mexican Logistics in 2026: Between Resilience and Competitiveness” , at the Forum of the National Association of Vehicle Tracking and Protection Companies (ANERPV) , Osiel Cruz Pacheco,  CEO of Grupo T21 , acknowledged the role of logistics entrepreneurs, whom he described as “heroes” who keep commerce operating in an adverse environment.

However, he was also emphatic that Mexico still has not managed to reduce its logistics costs to levels that are competitive with more advanced economies.

Insufficient infrastructure, outdated toll systems, downtime on roads and in ports, as well as regulatory burdens, are part of a “salad of factors” that increase the cost of logistics operations and directly affect the end consumer.

From the perspective of importers and exporters, Javier Lagunes , president of the National Association of Importers and Exporters of the Mexican Republic (ANIERM) , stated that the country is going through an evolutionary process forced by global competition.

Among the main challenges, he highlighted the need to clearly define the roles within the logistics chain, the lack of concrete actions to solve structural problems, and the urgency of generating effective public policies.

Even so, he stressed that Mexico has a privileged position to become a key logistics hub , provided it manages to correct its weaknesses.

For his part, Fernando Con y Ledesma , president of the Mexican Association of Shipping Agents (Amanac) , emphasized that one of the main obstacles is the lack of alignment among the actors in the logistics chain.

“The challenge is to put aside individual interests in order to build collective efficiency,” he said.

Furthermore, he proposed promoting a national initiative under the concept of “Safe Mexico” , with the aim of improving international perception and generating more reliable conditions for trade.

Rising costs and operational uncertainty

From the Mexican Association of Freight Forwarders (Amacarga) , its president, Eva Muñoz, offered one of the most critical diagnoses: insecurity has completely transformed the logistics operation .

Today, he explained, companies face increased theft and violence, higher insurance premiums, a need for security and constant monitoring, and an inability to maintain stable rates.

This has eliminated practices such as just-in-time , forcing a redesign of routes, schedules, and operational strategies, which directly impacts costs and efficiency.

In this context, Luis Villatoro , president of ANERPV, highlighted the role of technology as a central element in mitigating risks.

He noted that the use of artificial intelligence , telemetry, and tracking systems has improved vehicle recovery and strengthened traceability. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration with authorities, which has led to the development of analytical frameworks, incident reports, and critical points.

Intermodal: progress, but with structural challenges

Luis Hernández, president of the Mexican Association of Intermodal Transport (AMTI) , presented a more optimistic outlook for intermodal transport, with progress in the use of rail and greater integration with ports and borders.

However, he warned that structural problems persist , such as complex customs processes, a lack of standardization between ports and regions, and increased regulatory costs.

Added to this is the need to redefine Mexico’s role in an environment of regionalized trade, where economic blocs are becoming more relevant.

Participants agreed that the transformation of the sector involves the use of data for decision-making; training and certification of talent ; adoption of new technologies; and greater collaboration between associations and authorities.

In particular, the importance of professionalizing all levels of the logistics chain and generating reliable information to design more effective strategies was highlighted.

In conclusion, the consensus was clear that without security and legal certainty, logistics competitiveness is limited; since insecurity hinders investment, damages the country’s international image, increases operating costs, and limits the sector’s growth.

Despite this, the final tone was optimistic. The industry acknowledged the challenges, but also its capacity for adaptation.

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El cargo Mexican logistics in 2026: mandatory resilience and competitiveness in construction apareció primero en T21.

JB Hunt Transport Services  reported a 5% increase in its operating revenue during the first quarter of 2026 (1Q26) compared to the same period in 2025, driven mainly by the intermodal segment.

According to its financial report, in 1Q26 the company earned three billion 060 million dollars (mdd) compared to the two billion 920 million dollars of the first quarter of 2025 (1Q25).

“We started the year with strong financial results, building on the momentum we achieved in 2025, and once again, we executed well on safety performance, setting a record in the first quarter. While the operating environment remains dynamic, we continue to leverage our investments in people, technology, and capacity, positioning the company to generate long-term value for our shareholders,” said Shelley Simpson, president and CEO of the firm.

The increase in revenue, excluding fuel surcharges, was primarily driven by increased cargo volumes in intermodal (JBI) , full truckload (JBT) and Integrated Capacity Solutions (ICS), higher revenue and increased productivity in Dedicated Contractual Services (DCS).

“The increase in operating income was primarily due to higher revenue, the execution of our initiative to eliminate structural costs and the improvement of productivity across the organization, partially offset by higher transportation expenses for purchases, especially in our ICS and JBT segments,” he said.

He detailed that intermodal revenue in the first quarter of the year was $1.5 billion , 2% more than in the same period of 2025; while volume increased 3% year-on-year.

Cargo volumes on the transcontinental network remained stable, while domestic volumes increased by 7 percent. “Overall demand for our domestic intermodal services remained strong during the quarter, delivering the highest volume in our company’s history and a record-breaking week in March,” Shelley Simpson noted.

Regarding revenue from dedicated services, the company stated that it earned $841 million, a 2% year-over-year increase, driven by increased productivity, excluding fuel surcharge revenue.

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El cargo Intermodal boosts JB Hunt’s revenue in Q1 2026 apareció primero en T21.

Grupo Coppel ‘s logistics strategy in Mexico began to shift in 2022, when the company decided that the growth of its operations had to be accompanied by a tangible reduction in its environmental footprint. The response wasn’t limited to modernizing processes or incorporating new technologies: it involved rethinking how its imported goods travel across the country, moving a growing proportion of containers from the ports of Ensenada and Lázaro Cárdenas to its distribution centers via intermodal transport, with rail as the backbone

“ The main motivator was the issue of CO2 emissions , more than the issue of cost or savings,” says Angélica Bojórquez, Corporate Director of Supply Chain at Grupo Coppel, in an interview with T21, who notes that the company is currently positioned as the third largest importer in the country.

The shift is significant considering the company’s logistical scale. In 2025 alone, its primary fleet covered 74 million kilometers and moved 23,000 import containers (both by road and rail), merchandise that represents nearly 40% of the almost 100,000 SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) it sells.

In this context, rail has become a strategic ally for connecting maritime routes with the country’s logistics hub, especially on routes exceeding 600 kilometers, where the environmental and operational impact of road transport is most significant. The results are measurable: in 2025, the use of intermodal transport reduced CO2 emissions by 8,518 tons , with a cumulative reduction of 35,828 tons since the strategy’s inception.

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El cargo Coppel gets its logistics future on track apareció primero en T21.