“Manzanillo is one of Mexico’s most dynamic commercial hubs, and this investment underscores our commitment to the country’s long-term growth. By offering integrated services, from towing to transshipment and support for refrigerated containers, we help our customers simplify their supply chains and strengthen their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets,” said Patricia Pérez, Managing Director of Maersk in Mexico.

The facility is located five kilometers (km) from the port of Manzanillo , which handles almost half of the country’s containerized cargo.

The depot covers 31,000 square meters (m² ⁾ and has a capacity for 6,018 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) . It features 50 connections for refrigerated containers and 60 repair bays. Additionally, it can handle dry cargo, refrigerated units, generators, and 53-foot containers.

Among the services it will offer are container towing in ports to reduce truck waiting times, transshipment of dry and refrigerated cargo to 53-foot boxes and platforms .

“With this new facility in Manzanillo, we are creating agility where it matters most, reducing logistics costs, accelerating transit times, and giving companies greater control over their cargo. Looking ahead to the important global events that Mexico will host in 2026, we are ready to meet the increased demand in the retail , lifestyle, and technology sectors, ensuring that our customers stay ahead of the curve,” emphasized Getulio Centanaro, Director of Logistics and Services at Maersk in Mexico.

In addition, the company operates logistics centers in Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara ; in the latter two, Maersk plans to expand its capabilities and strengthen land infrastructure to support cross-border trade between Mexico and the United States.

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El cargo Maersk opens logistics warehouse in Manzanillo; seeks to strengthen supply chain apareció primero en T21.

Starting next May, JB Hunt Transport will begin transporting refrigerated containers via an intermodal service between Monterrey, Mexico, and Pennsylvania , USA , a route that represents up to 15% savings compared to trucking.

Johnny Curiel, the company’s vice president of Mexico Services, explained that with this new client, they estimate an increase of 1,200 shipments , compared to the 6,000 currently handled by road.

“This client has had several reasons for switching to intermodal. They want to reduce their costs, but they also have internal environmental goals and find it very attractive because it helps them reduce their carbon footprint from shipping by more than 60%,” he said in an interview with T21.

The expectation with this client is to convert between four thousand and five thousand shipments to intermodal, with the remainder continuing by road.

He specified that this cargo will be transported through Ferromex , crossing through Piedras Negras, where it interchanges with BNSF . This will generate savings of between 10% and 15% compared to trucking. Furthermore, it has containers that can be opened and closed remotely.

“Our containers have a locking mechanism that we can install from our office so the doors can’t be opened. It’s a lock that can be activated, not remotely, once we load it, seal it, and that’s another benefit compared to trucking,” he commented.

He explained that the refrigerated intermodal service will move products that do not require inspection, although there are also exemptions. Therefore, if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requests it, it will be carried out at BNSF yards in Eagle Pass, where they have cold storage facilities to maintain the supply chain.

He noted that railroads such as BNSF and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) are working on a project to resolve the origin inspection so that this type of service can be extended to imported goods.

However, he stated that having refrigerated service via train between Mexico and the United States is “a very important change for the market , it didn’t exist, last year it started with CPKC and us, before if they wanted this service between the countries it was only necessarily by road and it works and is a good option, but now we have this, they can take advantage of the advantages of the railroad in terms of scale, benefits and efficiencies to reduce their cost and their carbon footprint.”

It is worth mentioning that in 2024, it began with a service between Monterrey and Chicago , derived from the potential they observed in this segment between Mexico and the United States, a country where these types of movements are already carried out and which also sees greater growth.

“We’re having very similar discussions in the United States where clients are looking to do the same. Other opportunities could begin this year,” he said.

Similarly, Johnny Curiel commented that, as a result of the transfer of the majority of the CPKC network’s intermodal service to Ferromex in conjunction with BNSF during the first quarter of 2025, they achieved 40% year-over-year growth. Meanwhile, their ground traffic remained at levels similar to those in 2024.

“In 2025, we’re focusing our energy on converting highways to intermodal. There’s a greater opportunity for customers who ship between Mexico and the United States, and vice versa, to increase and make their operations more efficient, reduce costs, and increase the resilience of their supply chains,” he said.

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El cargo JB Hunt prepares intermodal refrigerated service between Monterey and Pennsylvania apareció primero en T21.

With the start of refrigerated rail services, the Mexican Association of Intermodal Transport (AMTI) is working to ensure that cargo inspections are conducted at the point of origin. To this end, it has already presented a proposal to SENASICA.

Diego Anchustegui, president of AMTI, recalled that in the past a similar inspection program was carried out for the Puerta México project in Toluca. However, the difference now is that they have a study of all the customers who would join the project.

“Now we have a very large committed volume that, if we can inspect it in warehouses and at the origin, would be transported via intermodal,” he said in an interview.

He explained that currently, the National Service of Health, Safety, and Agri-Food Quality (SENASICA) requires product inspection at the point of entry into the country. For example, if it enters through Laredo (Texas), it must be examined in Nuevo Laredo (Tamaulipas), or if it enters through Calexico (California), it must be inspected in Mexicali (Baja California).

Therefore, the proposal is for these inspections to take place at the point of origin. For example, if the cargo is loaded in Dallas or Kansas City, this would provide the benefits of intermodal transport.

“We are pushing for inspections to be done at the origin so that it doesn’t have to stop at the border,” he indicated.

It is important to note that Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) plans to start refrigerated services between Mexico and the United States, as does Grupo México Transportes (GMXT).

Without giving more details, Diego Anchustegui mentioned that there is a large volume of meat from major companies that could be moved by rail.

However, he also mentioned that warehouses near intermodal ramps are needed so that SENASICA personnel can conduct inspections at those facilities. These costs would be covered by AMTI or private entities.

He clarified that this is not something new; it only requires the necessary permits and payment to the personnel of the relevant agency.

“For SENASICA, it is safer to inspect from the origin, ensuring that nothing happens to the merchandise. There are different products that don’t require infrastructure, such as dog food, and merchandise that only requires a warehouse or meat products that need refrigeration or freezing for inspection before importation,” he said.

Nonetheless, they hope this proposal will be accepted this year due to the significant opportunity it presents for refrigerated intermodal transport.

Anchustegui also mentioned that they are working with the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM) to eliminate the Annex 29 procedure, a document that the operator must fill out and is only required for intermodal export.

He explained that it is a form where the truck’s license plate number, chassis, and container must be recorded. “We are pushing for its elimination; it is a problem and complicates the process of completing this document.”

Additionally, they seek to increase the operational area of customs facilities and modify customs service hours, which would provide more fluidity for containers.

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El cargo AMTI Presents Proposal to SENASICA for Refrigerated Inspection apareció primero en T21.