Mexico’s ports started 2026 on the “right foot”, moving 797,906 twenty-foot containers (TEUs) , which meant an 8.8% increase compared to January 2025, according to figures from the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) .

An analysis by  T21 Business Intelligence showed that Lázaro Cárdenas, in Michoacán, handled 235,103 TEUs during the first month of this year, 21.8% more than in January 2026, while the port of Veracruz moved 93,032 TEUs , representing an increase of 13.8% in the period.

Manzanillo, in Colima , was the port that registered the most container movement at the beginning of 2026, with a total of 354,534 TEUs, an increase of 7.8% compared to the same cycle of 2025.

In contrast, Altamira, in Tamaulipas, continued its downward trend . In January 2026, it handled 63,374 TEUs, representing a 9.3% drop compared to January 2025, marking two consecutive months of decline.

Smaller ports also saw significant variations in January 2026 compared to the same month in 2025. Guaymas, in Sonora, reported a 95.3% increase with 1,586 TEUs handled during the period. Mazatlán, in Sinaloa, experienced a 35.1% decrease with 2,284 TEUs handled.

Regarding participation in the first month of 2026, Manzanillo accounted for 44.43% of the total movement of 20-foot containers ; Lázaro Cárdenas had 29.46%, Veracruz 11.66%, and Altamira 7.94 percent.

Faced with less than encouraging growth forecasts, Mexico’s main ports are emerging as key points to sustain the country’s competitiveness.

In that context, 2026 presents a mixed economic outlook for Mexico: while the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) projected a growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of between 1.8% and 2.8%, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) forecasts an expansion of 1.4% for the Mexican economy.

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El cargo Mexican ports start 2026 with an increase in TEU movement apareció primero en T21.

Mazatlán seeks to reposition itself on the country’s logistics map with a strategy that combines private vision, territorial ambition, and an attempt to reconfigure the connectivity of the northwest corridor. In this environment emerges Mazatlán Logistics Center (MLC) , a development driven by Grupo ARHE that aspires to become a world-class logistics and industrial park and, according to its Chairman of the Board, Juan José Arellano Hernández, intends to function as the “entry and exit point of the northern economic corridor.” This statement summarizes a broader narrative: to transform Mazatlán into a new strategic hub for nearshoring and industrial relocation, which is putting pressure on Mexico from the Pacific

The project stems from an atypical feature in the region: the availability of a 197-hectare land reserve integrated into a master plan extending to 2030. In a country where urban improvisation often prevails over planning, MLC champions the idea of ​​orderly development , with industrial areas located away from the urban sprawl and with direct connectivity to major highways. Arellano, in an interview with T21, described it as an ecosystem designed to reduce logistical frictions and offer “safe industrial spaces that currently don’t exist in either the city or the port.”

The first phase, recently inaugurated by the Sinaloa government, reveals the scale of the project: an authorized Strategic Fiscal Zone (RFE) of 6.7 hectares—expandable to 23—a two-way return bridge, a 20 MVA substation, a natural gas network, and concrete roads. This is not just physical infrastructure, but a platform designed to integrate with maritime and road traffic. Connectivity with the port, the Mazatlán-Durango highway, and the Mazatlán-Matamoros superhighway would allow the Pacific coast to be linked to Altamira in less than 12 hours, a key logistical promise for attracting light industry, manufacturing, and warehousing and distribution companies.

Unlike other hubs in the Bajío region or western Mexico, MLC is trying to capitalize on a geographical advantage that the country has overlooked: Mazatlán’s position facing Asia and its proximity to the southern United States. Arellano’s message is clear: MLC doesn’t want to compete with other ports, but rather offer a viable alternative to the saturation and high operating costs of traditional shipping routes. With the country increasingly focused on nearshoring , the project claims it can offer certainty, speed, and cost savings to industries seeking to relocate operations.

The project also recognizes that competitiveness is not defined solely by infrastructure. Therefore, MLC already has training programs in place with educational institutions and business chambers to develop logistics and foreign trade talent. Furthermore, it incorporates environmental criteria such as solar energy for lighting, a wastewater treatment plant with a biodigester, and wildlife conservation areas—elements that respond to the growing ESG demands of global investment.

However, the project’s sustainability is not without risks. Arellano pointed out one in detail: the lack of modernization of the port of Mazatlán, whose strategic importance has not been addressed with the seriousness demanded by the growth of the Mexican Pacific coast. The country, he said, faces a structural lag that could hinder development potential if it is not accompanied by a port upgrade commensurate with nearshoring .

Despite this, Grupo ARHE projects accelerated growth. Phase 2, covering 60 hectares, is slated for completion in 2027; Phase 3, covering 54 hectares, for 2029. By 2030, the complete development aims to house more than 60 companies, generate approximately 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, and transform Mazatlán into an emerging logistics hub for the country. The narrative is ambitious, but it aligns with an undeniable reality: Mexico needs new logistics centers to alleviate pressure on the capital and reshape routes to North America.

Whether MLC will succeed in transforming itself into this new hub will depend as much on its ability to attract investment as on its skill in integrating into an environment where dispatch times, customs efficiency, and traceability define competitiveness. But the intention is clear: Mazatlán wants to move beyond being just a tourist destination and become a key point in the Mexican logistics chain, and MLC is positioned as the most determined bet to achieve this.

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El cargo MLC wants to change the map: Mazatlán is betting on a new logistics hub by 2030 apareció primero en T21.

Baja Ferries , a Mexican maritime transport and logistics company, presented the Cabo Star , its new flagship in the port of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, which will strengthen connectivity on the Mazatlán-La Paz route .

With capacity for 400 passengers and more than three linear meters of cargo, the Cabo Star is positioned as the largest and most modern ferry of its kind in Latin America.

The ship features 70 cabins, 24 sleeper capsules, a restaurant, recreational areas, a VIP lounge, pet-friendly spaces , an outdoor bar, and onboard internet , offering a comprehensive travel experience that makes the journey part of the destination.

“With this ship, the experience of those who embark to or from Mazatlán is elevated, making the ferry not just a journey, but a part of this great destination. We know that Mazatlán has built a vibrant identity as a tourist destination that relies on quality, experience, and the warmth of its people,” said Nino Liaño, CEO of Baja Ferries.

The presentation ceremony took place aboard the ship and brought together authorities from all three levels of government, including the head of the Sinaloa Tourism Secretariat , Mireya Sosa Osuna; the Chief of Staff of the Fourth Naval Region, Vice Admiral Alberto Meléndez; and the Director General of the National Port System Administration (Asipona) in Mazatlán , Rear Admiral Mariel Aquileo Ancona Infanzón, among others.

Mireya Sosa celebrated the arrival of Cabo Star as a strategic investment that strengthens Mazatlán’s competitiveness .

“We recognize Baja Ferries because this historic investment reflects not only its capacity and innovation, but also its commitment to the sustainability and economic and social development of the region,” he said.

The presentation of the Cabo Star vessel included a guided tour of its facilities for attendees. Last July, the company officially launched the Cabo Star, an investment exceeding 1.5 billion pesos .

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El cargo Baja Ferries presents the Cabo Star ship in Mazatlán apareció primero en T21.

Mazatlán Maritime Terminal (TMAZ) reported growth in its cargo movements in the first half of the year, registering a 15% increase in its cargo compared to the same period in 2024. This progress was driven primarily by the dynamism in the handling of containers and loose cargo, particularly steel and project cargo.

In a statement, Mauricio Ortiz, the terminal’s general manager, noted that during this period, operational capacity was strengthened through the addition of new equipment: two automatic spreaders for Gottwald cranes, four semi-automatic spreaders , and an additional spreader for 53-foot containers. Additionally, investments were approved to acquire 17 tractor-trailers, 13 flatbeds, and four reach stackers , measures aimed at optimizing equipment availability at the terminal.

“We are working very hard to maintain the positive trend of the last three years, both in terms of sales and operations. We are on the right track and want to continue advancing with value-added services for our customers, more training for our team, and operational optimization projects to continue improving service times on ships, in yards, and in warehouses,” said Ortiz.

In addition, he reported that “the portfolio of cargo moved has been expanded with the introduction of new spot cargo such as steel plates, structural beams, and live cattle” and a new intermodal service was implemented in partnership with Baja Ferries and Ferromex , which seeks to facilitate the movement of 53-foot containers between the center of the country and Baja California Sur.

Finally, Ortiz emphasized that, despite the volatility generated by U.S. tariff policies and more conservative customer behavior, the goal for this year is to grow 10% compared to the total volume for 2024 .

From January to April 2025, the Port of Mazatlán handled a total of 1,518.8 tons of cargo , according to data from the Ministry of the Navy . Cabotage accounted for the largest share of this volume, with 833.3 tons, followed by imports with 597.9 tons. Exports, meanwhile, registered the lowest volume, with a total of 87.6 tons.

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El cargo Cargo continues unabated, with TMAZ reporting an increase in the first half of 2025. apareció primero en T21.

One of the four vessels owned by the Chinese automotive giant, BYD , has called for the first time at ports in Mexico , under its strategy of satisfying global demand with its own fleet of Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) ships that it began piloting since the beginning of 2024 and which has meant great logistical savings.

The BYD Changzhou , with a length of 200 meters, a beam of 38 meters and a draft of eight meters, had its first call in the port of Mazatlán, Sinaloa (northwestern Mexico).

Mazatlán Maritime Terminal (TMAZ) , the operator of the multi-purpose terminal that has become a benchmark for automotive maritime transport in the Mexican Pacific, received a total of two thousand units in 24 hours.

“The ship’s arrival strengthens Mazatlán’s strategic position in the automotive sector’s logistics chains, supporting the transition toward clean technologies and sustainable mobility solutions,” said Mauricio Ortiz, general director of TMAZ, in a social media post.

From January to May of this year, TMAZ added 73,686 units transferred from different automotive companies , mostly in import services (73,186), a slight decrease of 5.8% compared to the same period last year, according to statistics from the General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine (CGPMM) , an office of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) .

The second port of call was at the port of Lázaro Cárdenas in Michoacán, the country’s busiest maritime port for the automotive industry.

SSA Marine Mexico ‘s specialized automobile terminal received 3,503 units .

“The arrival of this ship not only represents a logistical milestone, but also the strengthening of the commercial relationship with a brand that is transforming the global landscape of electric transportation,” stated the Lázaro Cárdenas National Port System Administration (Asipona) , a unit of the CGPMM, in a press release.

For the first five months of this year, the port of Michoacán handled 278,449 new cars , a 6.4% annual increase. Here, the balance also leans toward imports, with 201,802 units in the period, according to data from the port authority.

These units, which BYD has imported into Mexico with its own fleet, will be installed in one of the 50 dealerships it has in the country, although it plans to open 30 more this year .

Last year, BYD sold 40,000 electric and hybrid vehicles in Mexico , and this year it aims to double that number, reaching 80,000 units sold.

A maritime bet

The Chinese automotive brand has gained a significant presence around the world. Its main markets outside of China are Thailand, Brazil, and Germany.

Last year, BYD exported a total of 417,204 units and forecasts to exceed 500,000 vehicles this year, all of which are currently exported from China, although it has plans to build its first plants abroad in Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, Turkey, and Hungary.

BYD has a commercial presence in 95 markets globally.

The automaker began using Ro-Ro vessels in 2024 to meet its demand literally anywhere. This incorporation of specialized vessels has resulted in a reduction of up to 40% in logistics costs for the company per shipment, according to its estimates.

In the short term, its plan is to have at least nine ships , up from the current four, to add a static—or floating—capacity of 67,000 automobiles.

The four vessels owned by the Chinese brand are the BYD Explorer No. 1 , with capacity for 7,000 vehicles; the BYD Changzhou (7,000); the BYD Hefei(7,000); and the BYD Shenzhen (9,200).

However, this initial BYD fleet is smaller on the scale of the large shipping companies specializing in the transport of zero-kilometer cars, such as Wallenius Wilhelmsen , with 126 operating vessels, NYK Line (113), Mitsui OSK Lines (100), EUKOR Car Carriers (80) or Höegh Autoliners (40).

Global vehicle transport capacity is expected to increase by 42% by 2027, with the delivery of 198 new vessels.

BYD isn’t the first automaker to have its own Ro-Ro shipping line. Nissan Motor Car Carrier (NMCC) has a total of nine vessels for the maritime transport of its vehicles.

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El cargo Mexico receives the first BYD ship in Mazatlán and Lázaro Cárdenas apareció primero en T21.

Mazatlán Maritime Terminal (TMAZ) , a SAAM Terminals port , has added two spreaders to its operations , which will strengthen efficiency and safety in container handling.

The new Bromma EH170U spreaders have a lifting capacity of 41 tons for single containers and 2×25 tons for double containers, which will speed up loading and unloading maneuvers.

“The addition of this new equipment is an important step in our continuous improvement strategy. With this investment, we not only increase our operational capacity and safety during our operations, but we also reaffirm our commitment to innovation and efficiency to offer a world-class service to our users,” said Mauricio Ortiz, CEO of TMAZ, quoted in a press release.

The acquisition of these new fittings is part of a series of initiatives the terminal has been implementing in recent months to modernize and expand its operational capabilities. This equipment will be specifically designated for container and project cargo transferred in Mazatlán.

The port of Mazatlán, in northwest Mexico, handled a total of 13,488 20-foot containers (TEU) from January to April of this year , representing a 10.4% increase compared to the same period last year, according to data from the General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine (CGPMM) .

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El cargo TMAZ adds new spreaders to its terminal apareció primero en T21.

Terminal Marítima Mazatlán (TMAZ) , operated by SAAM Terminals , reported a positive year-end balance for 2024, marked by a sharp 20% increase in merchandise transfers , according to a press release shared by the company.

TMAZ General Manager Mauricio Ortiz said, “We have positioned ourselves as a reliable ally for our clients. Thanks to our investments, today we offer more than 20 thousand square meters of bonded warehouses, which translates into cost savings and a competitive advantage. At TMAZ we enable merchandise to be dispatched in a timely manner, with solutions adapted to the needs of the market.”

In the automotive sector, the terminal stood out as the second vehicle operator in the Pacific. During the year, a transfer of more than 160 thousand units was achieved .

“Today, the terminal has diversified its clients and has importers from Asia thanks to the more than five kilometers of railway tracks inside the terminal that allow us to move steel, containers and vehicles with a high level of productivity,” added Ortiz.

In the case of steel, cargo in which TMAZ is positioning itself as a key player for the chain, more than 580 thousand tons were mobilized with a growth in 2024 of more than 100 percent. The terminal has a specialized warehouse for handling steel, of 5,300 m2 with two traveling cranes. Going forward, an increase in this type of cargo of at least 5% annually is projected.

TMAZ is preparing for 2025, when it hopes to increase vehicle transfer by more than 5%, steel by more than 10% and continue consolidating its experience in loose cargo handling.

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El cargo TMAZ Closes 2024 with Sustained Growth in Vehicles, Steel, and Loose Cargo apareció primero en T21.

The company Terminal Marítima Mazatlán (TMAZ) , operator of the multipurpose terminal located in the port of Sinaloa -west coast of Mexico-, has an arduous, but not impossible task: to manage the constant pace of growth that is currently present in its different lines of business after 12 tireless years of operations.

For this reason, it has defined the direction that its strategic plan will take for the next five years under four fundamental pillars: Growth, Profitability, Quality-Safety and Sustainability .

“Our corporate is confident in the terminal’s growth and in everything we have done, so that in the coming years we can include sustainable investments within our 2030 strategy,” says Mauricio Ortiz, general manager of TMAZ, in an interview with T21, who confirms that they have built an ambitious five-year investment scheme for renovation and growth in civil works, equipment and systems for 37.4 million dollars.

The terminal’s operating results support the executive. In the first 10 months of this year, this multipurpose terminal, belonging to SAAM Terminals , has shown a growth of +28% in tons in the transfer of goods, compared to the same period in 2023; in containers there has been an expansion of +15% (boxes), a +14% increase in vehicles (units) and a +55% growth in the handling of loose cargo (tons).

These numbers have been achieved through the various business tactics that TMAZ has implemented with its clients, such as providing storage space within a bonded area for some imported goods, which becomes a cost saving and a competitive advantage among the terminals on the Mexican Pacific coast. Today, the average stay of goods at the terminal is around 20 days.

TMAZ offers its clients the opportunity to dispatch merchandise with this time flexibility thanks to its infrastructure, which today totals six inspected warehouses with more than 20 thousand square meters each , where the security offered by its certification as an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) is also added.

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El cargo TMAZ Continues Strengthening Its Value Proposition Towards 2030 apareció primero en T21.

The intense activity of steel imports that Mexico receives via maritime routes has presented Terminal Marítima Mazatlán (TMAZ) with a prosperous business opportunity that it doesn’t intend to miss. On the contrary, the company has designed a robust investment plan for the next five years to strengthen its services for the increasingly interested companies in its port facilities.

In recent years, this terminal has seen sustained growth of over 50% in steel imports, primarily from Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese markets. These Asian markets have continued to send various finished steel products despite the implementation of high tariffs aimed at protecting the market established in the area covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

In fact, since the beginning of this year, the U.S. government has increased its demand for Mexico to enforce stricter customs controls due to the rise in Mexican steel exports to the northern neighbor. This surge is believed to be driven by an increase in Asian steel imports, especially from China, which seeks to bypass U.S. tariff treatment.

In 2023, industries manufacturing various products in Mexico consumed a total of 28.5 million metric tons (MMT) of finished steel products, marking a 14.0% increase compared to the previous year. Of this amount, 19.3 MMT were produced domestically, showing a decrease of 1.6% compared to 2022, according to data from the National Chamber of the Iron and Steel Industry (Canacero).

The high importation of steel received by Mexican ports along the Pacific Ocean generates a strong demand for handling services at terminals operating this cargo. Ensenada, Mazatlán, Lázaro Cárdenas, and Manzanillo are key focal points in this activity.

Moreover, operational conflicts observed in recent months among different terminals at the port of Manzanillo have compelled importers to seek other ports along this coastline. “Recently, we welcomed two new Japanese companies, and they confirmed that working in Manzanillo is very complicated. So, nowadays, Mazatlán is not just seen as an alternative but rather as a solution,” stated Mauricio Ortiz, CEO of TMAZ, in an interview with T21.

The executive also noted that the effect of production lines relocating to Mexico (nearshoring) has contributed to the increase in imports of Asian steel. “We are on a five-year strategic plan, where precisely we want to equip ourselves and build capacity,” Ortiz explained.

Currently, TMAZ has six warehouses within the port area, totaling just over 20,000 square meters (m2), used for the reception of steel and other goods. Specifically, there’s a specialized warehouse for steel handling, covering 5,300 m2 and equipped with two overhead cranes.

Additionally, they have eight forklifts capable of lifting up to 45,000 pounds and 18 forklifts able to handle loads up to 10,000 pounds, allowing them to handle loose or spot cargo.

“Through investment, we aim to renew and add new equipment due to steel growth. In fact, we’re expecting the arrival of three medium-sized forklifts for the reception of steel coils and rolls on pallets,” Ortiz added.

Allies on the Journey

Meanwhile, the logistical solution found by steel importers through TMAZ is complemented by their commercial alliance with Ferromex, which has provided and increased the equipment used for moving steel to major production centers in Mexico via their rail connection.

Mauricio Ortiz recalled that the terminal has five kilometers of railway track, enabling them to handle various types of cargo; furthermore, it boasts six docks representing 1,300 linear meters of berthing space.

“Mazatlán is not a saturated port, so ships dock upon arrival, which is a significant advantage. We can handle cargo within the warehouse in the bonded area, unlike other terminals that have to transfer and store cargo in yards or external warehouses, resulting in increased costs for clients,” he said.

The confidence that TMAZ has built among its clients is also based on the traceability it offers from the moment goods enter the terminal, supported by certifications such as ISO 9000, ISO 14000, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), among others.

Furthermore, TMAZ’s service is supported by its “good relationship” with port authorities and customs, enabling them to maintain efficient processes for cargo clearance.

The investment plan TMAZ intends to complete over the next five years is significantly bolstered by the German group Hapag-Lloyd, which acquired the port terminal unit of the Chilean SAAM last year. This acquisition brings expertise in handling various types of cargo, including steel.

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El cargo TMAZ Wins “Ground” in Steel Imports in Mexico apareció primero en T21.