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.

In December 2025, the movement of vehicles through Mexico’s main ports registered a growth of 43.9% compared to the same month in 2024, with a total of 228,210 new units , according to data from the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) .

However, in the accumulated January-December 2025, a slight decrease of 1.3% was observed compared to the same period in 2024, with the operation of two million 262 thousand 289 vehicles.

An analysis conducted by T21 Business Intelligence identified that 104,119 units were moved through the port of Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, in the last month of last year , 161.4% more than in the same period of 2024. In the accumulated total for 2025, 804,221 vehicles were handled, representing a growth of 19.1% compared to 2024.

Mazatlán, Sinaloa, handled 23,799 units in December 2025 , representing a 162.4% increase compared to the same month in 2024. As for the year-to-date figures, this Mexican Pacific port grew by 4.7% last year, with 172,359 units.

Tuxpan, Veracruz, showed mixed results . In December 2025, it reached 1,979 units, 73.6% more than in the same month of 2024. However, in the accumulated total for 2025, it registered 38,321 vehicles moved, a drop of 54.9% compared to 2024.

The port of Veracruz showed stagnation in December of last year, handling 60,231 units , a figure that remained practically unchanged compared to the same month in 2024. In the cumulative total for 2025, 770,151 new vehicles were handled through this Gulf of Mexico port, a drop of 9.5% compared to the same period in 2024.

Altamira, Tamaulipas, registered declines at the close of 2025. Last December, it mobilized 38,082 units , a decrease of 21.2% compared to the same month of 2024. From January to December 2025, it totaled 475,437 units, which represented a decline of 7.7% compared to the same period in 2024.

Regarding the participation by port in December 2025, Lázaro Cárdenas concentrated the largest number of vehicles moved with 45.6% , followed by Veracruz with 26.4%, Altamira with 16.7%, Mazatlán with 10.4% and Tuxpan with 0.9 percent.

According to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) , 243,961 units were manufactured in Mexico in December 2025  , an increase of 8.5% compared to the same month in 2024. However, the cumulative total for last year was 3,953,494 units , representing a decrease of 0.9% compared to the same period in 2024.

December’s figures reveal a mixed picture for the end of 2025 across the ports: growth in some and decline in others. The recovery of vehicle traffic is shaping up to be a gradual process, contingent on the state of the automotive industry throughout 2026, after it was one of the sectors most affected by US tariffs, and on the ports’ ability to adapt to a more demanding trade environment.

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El cargo Vehicle traffic through Mexican ports increases in December; cumulative total declines apareció primero en T21.

Improving road and port infrastructure , particularly those in Manzanillo, Ensenada, and Altamira, would allow for better handling of goods from the manufacturing industry.

Humberto Martínez Cantú, president of the Maquiladora and Export Manufacturing Industry Council (Index) , mentioned that they have also met with authorities from Guanajuato and Sonora to address the issue and learn about the work being done to improve roads and ports.

“We’re talking with the governors of Sonora and Guanajuato; they’re building more highways to speed up the transportation of products. At the ports, I’m working closely with Manzanillo, Ensenada for its certification, and Altamira. The governor told me they’ll start with Guaymas; this is extremely necessary to avoid bottlenecks,” he said.

In an interview at the 50th National Index Convention, he explained that given the saturation of the port of Manzanillo, they are looking for alternatives such as Altamira, Salina Cruz and Guaymas.

Likewise, Martínez Cantú responded to the Mexican government’s call for more investment and to participate in the renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which will take place in 2026.

“I made a commitment to more investment and jobs. I have many companies that want to expand into other products, and we need approval and certification from the Ministry of Economy, and they’re approving them quickly,” he said.

He noted that there are companies that, despite the uncertainty, “want to keep moving forward. This is the first time in the last six years that they’re welcoming us, working hand in hand with us, and certifying us to continue moving forward.”

He announced that this coming Monday, October 20, they will meet with Marcelo Ebrard , head of the Ministry of Economy, to address the needs of the industry

“The issue we most want is approval for the plants we want to expand and build new ones; second, for them to remove the tariffs and continue allowing us to import products that aren’t manufactured in the country or in the United States,” he said.

He confirmed the industry’s commitment to investing more, as requested the day before by Altagracia Gómez, head of the Advisory Council on Regional Economic Development and Relocation (CADERR).

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El cargo Improvements in road and port infrastructure would benefit the manufacturing industry. apareció primero en T21.

Grupo México Transportes (GMXT) invested more than 7.2 billion pesos to incorporate 120 locomotives, which will be essential for serving the ports of Guaymas, Topolobampo, Mazatlán, Manzanillo, Altamira, Veracruz, and Coatzacoalcos.

In addition, it will allow them to participate in new projects linked to the growth of various Mexican sectors, such as agriculture, automotive, intermodal, mineral-metals, cement, and energy.

Likewise, this incorporation will increase the railroad’s share of the land freight market, as a sustainable, efficient, and flexible means of transportation.

Furthermore, trade corridors that cross 24 Mexican states and connect with the United States through six border crossings will be strengthened, including the Ferrobuque (Bus Rail) that operates from Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, to Mobile, Alabama.

In a statement, the company detailed that 90 locomotives are already operating on the network, while the remaining 30 will be received by the end of this year.

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El cargo GMXT invests to expand its locomotive fleet apareció primero en T21.

Improving processes to avoid port saturation , increasing security in the supply chain and having better infrastructure are part of the actions needed to increase efficiency in cargo movement in Mexico, specialists said.

Given the saturation of the country’s port infrastructure, more efficient processes are required to release merchandise, said Victor Monroy, general director of MSC in Mexico.

“If we don’t have efficient processes for importing or clearing merchandise, no matter how big the ports are, we will always be stuck,” he said during his participation in the Global Supply Chain Mexican Leaders event organized by TMSfirst Mexico and GrupoTiMexico.

Although he did not specify which one, he indicated that one of the most important port terminals in the Mexican Pacific has the capacity to dispatch 1,500 import containers a day, but only handles between 500 and 600 containers, while in high season there has been a need to handle up to 3,000 containers.

“But when the stumbling block is in the import system, it doesn’t matter how much infrastructure or yards there are. If I bring in three thousand containers and I’m barely dispatching 800 in three or four days, I’m saturated and that has another consequence, I can’t serve ships. Last year, in Ensenada, Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas, we had ships waiting for weeks, even months outside to be able to attack, that’s where the bottleneck begins,” he said.

However, he said that since Claudia Sheinbaum became president of Mexico,  there has been greater openness with the authorities to improve processes, “something that did not happen in the previous six-year term,” so as long as an ideal infrastructure is achieved “that is the way forward.”

On the other hand, Saúl Romero Blake, CEO of Harbest Partners , commented that in the event of a “perfect storm” with or without tariffs as announced by the new United States government, combined with benefits such as the reduction of pollutants and efficiency, demand for railroads will increase.

Therefore, it will be necessary to build railway terminals and ensure that they are safe. “There are already many terminals in the country for the construction of a cross dock and last mile,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jorge Luis Chávez Zarate, CEO of Ubicuity Services, said that the digitalization of the supply chain improves processes, however, it also increases the possibility of a security attack due to the use of different technologies.

For this reason, he recommended that companies “not lose sight of the simpler things” where they can register this type of actions.

He recalled that in the United States there was an attack on the water treatment system, as well as on the supply chain for 3PL or 4PL companies in the United Kingdom, compromising data for distribution to supermarkets.

“Cyberattacks can affect any type of facility, they can even close a port due to a lack of information, something we already saw in Mexico, the customs system went down in 50 customs offices, due to a patch (in the system) that was incorrectly applied by the SAT,” he explained.

He explained, for example, that the use of different GPS providers, software, digital systems, artificial intelligence, among others, increases the risk of an attack.

“There is a way to monitor all the transactions that are being made today on our platforms. They are within the reach of large companies, but micro and small companies do not have the resources. However, certain things must be foreseen or we must approach companies that can guarantee that our goods can transit in a safe logistical route,” he said.

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El cargo The “weakest links” in the logistics chain in Mexico are analyzed apareció primero en T21.

Security, public policies, infrastructure, transparency, and the demilitarization of ports and airports are part of the actions that must be implemented in the country in the face of the impact that will be felt due to relocation, explained specialists.

During the panel “Connecting with the World: Airport and Port Infrastructure” of the Nearshoring and Political Transition Forum, challenges and opportunities to boost growth, organized by the Mexican Institute of Finance Executives (IMEF), Juan Carlos Machorro, partner at Santamarina & Steta, commented that nearshoring represents a window of opportunity, although it also poses connectivity challenges.

He mentioned that there are four points that need to be addressed: changing the short-term agenda to a technical and scientific one, demilitarizing ports and the aviation sector which “has been impacted in the last five years, starting with the ‘original sin’ (the cancellation of the Texcoco airport), the pandemic, degradation to Category 2, reduction of operations at the AICM and sending cargo to the AIFA, we don’t get out of one to enter another. A few days ago, ICAO issued an alarm signal for non-compliance with basic air operation safety standards.”

In addition to returning to collaborate with the private sector through public-private partnerships, and transparently bidding for public works.

“There is a very serious opacity issue that has been occurring in infrastructure in recent years. It is not easy, but these four pillars will reverse the policy and will start giving us time to recover what we have not been able to take advantage of under the guise of nearshoring,” he explained.

Yuriria Mascott, legal consultant at Beker & Mckenzie Lawyers, said that for the country to become attractive to investment, it is necessary to have security, appropriate policies, and infrastructure, “with technical rigor above political decisions.”

Furthermore, she emphasized the need for legal certainty to avoid generating mistrust, logistic vision for any work, new technologies, as well as enabling intermodality, multimodality, and synchromodality.

“Today, the issue of rights of way remains a problem, there is a great disparity in the use of airports, while some are very saturated, others are abandoned. In the ports, there is a lack of yards capable of receiving large vessels, equipment is lacking to move the merchandise,” she said.

She explained that until the saturation of the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) is resolved and an airport that solves this situation is built, “it will hardly aspire to be that logistics hub for Latin America.”

Likewise, she highlighted the importance of private investment participation in building the infrastructure, as well as a minimum of 5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in resources for infrastructure.

On the other hand, Celso Morales Muñoz, maritime-port consultant, explained that the rule of law must also be applied, maintenance of current infrastructure must be carried out, and facilities capable of receiving vessels of greater depth must be available.

“The reintegration of the General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation is fundamental, that is a fundamental point for the port sector to be able to carry out all the actions to reactivate that sector. In nearshoring, what is necessary must be built to promote cabotage and short-distance transportation and supply chain multimodal and intermodalism to be prepared for the demands that will be recorded,” he said.

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El cargo Experts Highlight What Transportation in Mexico Urgently Needs in Light of Nearshoring apareció primero en T21.