The port of Lázaro Cárdenas, the second largest container port in the Mexican Pacific and a leader in handling new automobiles, is facing a crisis: a handful of trucking operators have been blocking access to the fiscal area since the early hours of September 4 , protesting long waits to load or unload cargo.

Transporters report wait times exceeding 36 hours, apparently caused by the tightening of customs inspections of goods .

In addition, other factors are added, such as poor waiting conditions: lack of restrooms, food, and adequate spaces to shelter from the sun or rain.

The situation, they point out, has become unsustainable and directly impacts the financial situation of federal transportation operators, who depend on the rapid turnover of trips to maintain stable income.

The complainants, a group of just 10 people, according to sources consulted by T21, have not been identified as members of any transport association.

In response to the blockade, the Lázaro Cárdenas National Port System Administration (Asipona) acknowledged the protest, although it downplayed the impact on the facility’s overall operations. In an official statement, it stated that “the outgoing flow of goods continues, and work continues to minimize any impact on logistics activities.”

The port authority also assured that it is coordinating with customs and the terminals “in order to establish a respectful dialogue and advance a negotiation process that will allow for the restoration of full access to the port.”

However, transporters have warned that they will not lift the blockade until a fundamental solution is guaranteed to the deficiencies they have been facing for more than a year.

The crisis at Lázaro Cárdenas highlights a paradox: while the port seeks to consolidate itself as a strategic hub for foreign trade, especially in the movement of vehicles and containers, its weakest links —customs and trucking services—are becoming bottlenecks that undermine the competitiveness of the entire logistics chain.

Comment and follow us on X:  @GrupoT21

El cargo Transporters block access to the port of Lázaro Cárdenas apareció primero en T21.

The maritime customs office at the port of Lázaro Cárdenas has increased its operational capacity after opening two new modules for the clearance of goods in the road import mode.

This increase is equivalent to 50% of its original capacity and was announced as part of a joint effort between the Lázaro Cárdenas National Port System Administration (Asipona) and the port community to streamline the logistics process.

“This increase in operational capacity will provide a more agile and efficient service at the port of Lázaro Cárdenas,” said representatives of Asipona during the formal ceremony to inaugurate the modules.

Furthermore, this effort is part of a series of measures aimed at improving port logistics , a crucial sector for the Mexican economy.

In this context, it is noteworthy that the port of Lázaro Cárdenas has reported significant container handling during the first nine months of 2024 , with an increase of 28.7% compared to the same period of the previous year, processing 1,764,679 TEUs (20-foot containers), according to official statistics.

However, the challenge remains to optimize the service times for auto transport units in Mexican ports. According to the Average Time Index for Auto Transport in Ports (ITPAP) , prepared by the T21 Business Intelligence unit, Lázaro Cárdenas recorded an average of 6 hours of service in September 2024, with a higher consumption of time in customs clearance, which reached 2.9 hours. This data contrasts with the improvement observed at the national level, where the average wait was 4.73 decimal hours, a decrease of 64% compared to August.

At the official inauguration ceremony of the two new modules, the importance of coordination between maritime customs and the various actors in the port community to speed up the clearance of foreign trade goods was also highlighted. The idea is to seek to increase operational capacity, clearance times and strengthen customs collection in accordance with current regulations .

Comment and follow us on X:@GrupoT21

El cargo Operational capacity of the customs office at the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas increases apareció primero en T21.