The National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) recognized 1,407 operators and various companies during the twenty-seventh edition of the National Road Safety Award (PNSV) , held on October 19, with the aim of distinguishing safe driving trajectories and business practices aimed at preventing accidents on Mexican roads.

According to information provided by the association, 648 operators earned first place, 471 second, and 288 third. Later, a special recognition was given to 19 operators who were inducted into the Hall of Fame for having 30 or more years of service without causing or being involved in accidents; for having earned first place in the National Road Safety Program (PNSV) for three consecutive years; and for having left driving to dedicate themselves to training or instructing other truck drivers. More than 1,200 people attended the ceremony .

Alex Theissen , president of the ANTP Board of Directors , emphasized that road safety is the result of the daily decisions of operators, from checking their vehicles before starting a journey to respecting speed limits and paying constant attention to the road.

“Taking care of those who drive is the best investment we can make,” he said, highlighting the importance of continuous training, vehicle maintenance, and adequate work and rest periods.

Recognized companies

The following companies were mentioned during the ceremony:

1. Aldafa Transport .
2. Alpura .
3.  Almex (Tepotzotlán and Monterrey) .
4. Pilot Transport .
5. Bimbo .
6. Barcel .
7. Coca-Cola FEMSA Primary Distribution .
8. Coca-Cola FEMSA (Puebla Base).
9. Coca-Cola FEMSA (Base Los Reyes La Paz).
10. Arca Continental Distributor , Northeast Region.
11. Arca Continental Distributor , Western Region.
12. The Iron Palace .
13. Post Office .
14. La Corona Soap Factory .
15. Express Cold .
16. Boundary .
17. Oxxo .
18. Pilgrim’s .
19. Sigma .
20. Soloista .
21. Zemog Conveyor .
22. Marva Transport .
23. Zinergia .

Prevention and training in road transport

During his remarks, Cruz Isaac Muñoz Navarro , Coordinator of Highway and Facility Security for the National Guard , highlighted the collaboration with the ANTP ( National Association of Private Transportation) to strengthen accident prevention and operator training, as well as the importance of modernizing fleets and incorporating driver assistance technologies. He noted that the institution holds regular meetings with representatives of the sector to understand highway safety needs and coordinate preventative measures.

The Undersecretary of Transportation for the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) , Tania Carro Toledo , emphasized that trucking accounts for approximately 60% of the nation’s freight . Regarding security, she reported that around 68,000 inspections of cargo vehicles were carried out during the first half of 2026. She also reported the closure of more than 800 unauthorized access points on federal highways and noted that the agency is working on developing safe rest stops for truck drivers.

The ANTP , for its part, emphasized that continuous training, vehicle maintenance, and adequate working and rest conditions are fundamental elements to strengthen road safety in freight transport operations.

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El cargo In the 27th edition of the PNSV, ANTP recognizes more than 1,400 operators and 23 companies for their results apareció primero en T21.

Cross-border transport has faced a scenario of adjustments in recent years that has tested the ability of companies to sustain their operations and, at the same time, maintain the investments necessary to serve their customers.

In this context, Transportes Olympic has chosen to continue with the renewal of its fleet, even during periods of greatest pressure for the business.

“We have always believed that, even in difficult times, you have to renew your fleet,” said Fernando Páez, general manager of Transportes Olympic.

Currently, the company has more than 250 units and approximately 550 trailers , including refrigerated boxes and platforms, according to Páez.

The strategy is part of an operation that began in June 1990 and this year marks its 36th year . During that period, the company has navigated different market conditions, particularly in transportation between Mexico and the United States.

“I believe that resilience, discipline, and willpower are what have given us this permanence here,” he commented.

Páez identified 2022 as one of the most challenging periods for cross-border transportation companies . He explained that after the pandemic, the number of operators in the United States with non-resident licenses increased, which, in his view, created an oversupply of transportation and put upward pressure on rates.

Other factors have been added to this scenario that directly affect the operation.

“There are three things that are completely against us. There are the tariffs, there is the exchange rate, and there is the price of fuel,” Páez said.

Given these conditions, the executive pointed out that maintaining an orderly, responsible and financially sound company has been part of Transportes Olympic’s strategy to remain in the market.

Prepare from the operation

Fleet renewal is just one part of the strategy. Safety and training have also been key priorities at Transportes Olympic.

The company has three on-site instructors, monitoring staff, a safety director, and simulators , in addition to training programs for its operators.

One of them is the English program, implemented since 2010 to prepare operators who carry out operations in the United States.

“Fortunately, this mandatory English regulation for operators caught us very, very well prepared because we had a program in place since 2010. We didn’t really have to start from scratch, but simply strengthen the programs we had, add applications, and continue working hard on our English program,” Páez explained.

According to the executive, when language proficiency reviews began to be applied more strictly, Transportes Olympic recorded zero operators taken out of service due to this measure .

Safety has also been a central focus of the operation. Páez noted that the company has dedicated time, resources, and internal structure to this area, from training to monitoring.

“I think that’s what defines us, I think that’s the image we have, because we’ve invested a lot of time and money in security,” he said.

Prepare yourself for the good times

Beyond responding when market conditions become complicated, Páez specified that Transportes Olympic’s strategy has been to anticipate during periods of better conditions.

“The truth is that we have always believed in preparing ourselves in good times for bad times,” he stated.

Following that logic, the company has maintained the renewal of units even in a complex economic scenario, a decision that Páez believes has contributed to sustaining the operation and preparing the company for market changes.

In this regard, Transportes Olympic has sought to ensure that decisions made during periods of better conditions allow it to respond when the environment changes. Fleet renewal, along with safety and training, are part of this preparation with which the company aims to ensure the continuity of its cross-border operations .

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El cargo Olympic Transport strengthens its cross-border operation with fleet renewal apareció primero en T21.

The movement of goods between Mexico and the United States still faces challenges at the border. Crossing times, inspections, and heavy paperwork, particularly for imports into Mexico, add to the demands placed on carriers to maintain operational efficiency and meet customer needs.

The scale of the operation is reflected in the flow of cargo vehicles . Between January and May 2026, 3,253,654 truck border crossings were recorded, of which 1,295,848 corresponded to Nuevo Laredo (Laredo), nearly 40% of the total, according to data from the General Directorate of Federal Motor Transport (DGAF) , with information from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) .

For companies involved in cross-border transport , part of the challenge lies in those factors they can control: safety, operator training, compliance with regulations, and the physical and mechanical condition of the vehicles.

Fernando Páez, from Transportes Olympic , believes there are opportunities to make border crossings more efficient, especially in the movement of goods from the United States to Mexico.

“I think there are many, many delays, especially in the import of materials, products, and supplies from the United States to Mexico,” Páez said.

From their perspective, while movement from Mexico to the United States can be done more easily, in the opposite direction there are processes that increase the documentation and reviews necessary for certain goods.

“It’s very easy to cross a truck from Mexico to the United States, but not from the United States to Mexico. There are many, I believe, non-tariff barriers that make different types of products require a lot of paperwork and a lot of inspection in order to cross,” he explained.

The executive believed that simplifying these processes would speed up border crossings, benefiting international trade.

Prepare to cross

While some of these conditions depend on border processes, carriers face the challenge of working on those elements that are directly related to their operation.

For Páez, safety is one of the main pillars , accompanied by compliance with the provisions established by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) , physical-mechanical inspections, the good condition of the units and programs such as CTPAT , required by some clients to work with their transportation providers.

These elements have been further strengthened by the dominance of English by operators who travel in the United States.

“Fortunately, this mandatory English regulation for operators caught us very, very well prepared because we had a program in place since 2010. We didn’t really have to start from scratch, but simply strengthen the programs we already had,” he commented.

Keys to sustaining cross-border

Transportes Olympic ‘s cross-border experience dates back several decades. The company began operations in June 1990 and, according to Páez, received authorization to operate long-haul routes in the United States in 2007.

This allowed him to transport goods directly from their origin in Mexico to destinations in the United States and Canada without the need for transshipments at the border or changing boxes, platforms, operators, or trucks, he explained.

For Olympic, one of the keys to maintaining service in cross-border transport has been to reduce those frictions that are within the company’s control and facilitate operations for its customers.

“We’re trying to make the service ‘frictionless,’ that is, without friction, to make it simpler, easier; so that customers can focus on what they do and let us do what we know how to do for them,” Páez stated.

The challenge, however, extends beyond the operation of a single company. Congestion at border crossings, customs and clearance times, inspections and reviews, rail and road infrastructure, as well as the digitalization of foreign trade, are all part of the issues that accompany the exchange of goods between Mexico and the United States.

These challenges will be part of the discussion at the panel “Saturated Borders: The Critical Challenge of Mexico-United States Trade ,” which will take place at ETYL MTY , organized by Grupo T21 , on October 14 and 15 at the Presidente InterContinental Monterrey in Nuevo León. 

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El cargo Mexico-US border crossings still face frictions for trucking apareció primero en T21.

Insecurity remains a major challenge for the freight transport industry in Mexico . Between February 2025 and January 2026, 8,779 heavy vehicles were stolen in the country, according to data from the Mexican Association of Insurance Institutions (AMIS) , cited by Samsara .

Given this scenario, the use of technology opens the possibility of shifting the security of motor transport fleets from a reactive scheme to a preventive one, through tools that allow for real-time information and faster action in the face of an incident.

Samsara implemented its real-time visibility and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions at TRAK Transportaciones , a company specializing in the movement of oversized cargo of up to 250 tons between Mexico, the United States and Canada, which had accumulated four consecutive years with unit thefts.

The strategy incorporated AI-powered dashcams, an AI-powered multi-camera system, an engine immobilizer, and a panic button . Following the transformation of its monitoring and security processes, TRAK reported zero vehicle thefts during 2025 .

“We were almost the last to realize what had happened when an accident occurred,” explained Eugenio Valdés, operations manager of TRAK Transportaciones, regarding the way they operated before modifying their processes.

The change also extended to road safety. The transport company reduced speeding incidents by 94% , thanks to the information generated by the platform to identify specific risks, promote preventative actions based on daily operations, and strengthen its driver training programs.

This was complemented by a 99% reduction in emergency response time . Among the tools used is the panic button, whose system downloads the cabin video in a matter of minutes so that the monitoring team can verify the situation and activate the corresponding protocols.

The implementation also had an economic impact. By using video evidence to expedite clarifications with clients and authorities, as well as to determine liability when necessary, TRAK reported savings exceeding 3.5 million pesos over the last 16 months .

“It wouldn’t have been easy to prove the facts without the efficiency of Samsara’s cameras. Like this one, we have many positive examples,” Valdés noted, referring to one of the incidents in which the recordings helped establish the responsibility of a third party.

For Julia Monroy, vice president of Samsara Mexico , the immediate availability of information allows companies to change the way they face security risks.

“Security no longer depends solely on reacting to an incident, but on having immediate information to anticipate and act quickly,” he said.

The TRAK case highlights the role that real-time visibility and artificial intelligence can play in strengthening prevention, reducing response times, and generating evidence in the event of incidents in road transport operations.

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El cargo Samsara takes the safety of motor transport from reaction to prevention apareció primero en T21.

GUADALAJARA, JAL.- Jalisco maintains a growth dynamic in the industrial market, although investment decisions have become more cautious given the international environment, the evolution of regional trade and the uncertainty surrounding the new North American trade rules.

Bruno Martínez, current president of the Association of Industrial Parks of the State of Jalisco (APIEJ), highlighted that one of the main challenges is to maintain the capacity to attract investments and generate the conditions for companies already operating in the state to incorporate new production lines.

“Jalisco doesn’t sell itself. We have to go out and sell it. The rules have changed, the opportunities have changed, and the competition is different,” he noted during the Third Annual APIEJ Congress.

In this regard, he mentioned that they have launched a joint strategy for promotion and regulatory facilitation , with the goal of reducing the time required to develop new industrial parks. This includes a program covering nine municipalities that aims to reduce processing times from approximately 700 days to 200 days, while maintaining compliance with legal and regulatory provisions.

He explained that this is important because in the last 10 years Jalisco has shown a rate of expansion higher than the national average; it went from approximately 5.7 million to eight million square meters, which represents a growth of close to 40 percent.

“Before 2020, no more than 200,000 square meters were being absorbed, and last year it reached around 677,000 square meters, which is roughly equivalent to building the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara 4.6 times over. And this year, we’ve already reached 358,000 square meters halfway through the year. We have seen a slowdown in decision-making; companies and investors are proceeding more cautiously,” he explained.

Logistics drives the sector

Martínez mentioned that between 55 and 60% of the state’s industrial inventory corresponds to the logistics sector , while the rest is distributed among different manufacturing activities.

The growth is due, among other factors, to the expansion of e-commerce and the need for companies to have platforms for national distribution and export operations.

He indicated that companies like Amazon and Mercado Libre continue to expand their operations, while so-called contract manufacturers are moving some of their logistics activities to specialized operators known as 3PLs.

“ Contract manufacturers from manufacturing companies are moving their logistics to 3PL companies,” Martínez commented.

He added that Jalisco’s location offers an advantage for this activity, due to its road and rail connectivity, as well as its links to the port of Manzanillo , Mexico City, and the Bajío region. Additionally, there is the airport infrastructure in Guadalajara.

However, he said that among the sectors with the greatest presence are high technology, logistics, agribusiness, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, metalworking and automotive .

Despite this outlook, he mentioned that among the challenges facing the sector is access to energy , one of the main challenges, although in the state the development of a combined cycle plant has been proposed that would start with a capacity of 500 megawatts (MW) and could reach up to one thousand MW.

He said the infrastructure would help meet some of the growing industrial demand, although the challenge will continue due to the global increase in energy consumption, particularly because of the development of artificial intelligence, data centers and new technologies.

The aim is also to take advantage of new regulatory possibilities for energy self-consumption through various alternatives, including solar generation and gas-based solutions.

Regarding security, he explained that the industrial sector is working on strengthening surveillance protocols and strategies within industrial parks; among these initiatives is the connection of security cameras located on the perimeter with the state C5 command center .

The proposal stipulates that developers invest in systems compatible with the C5 infrastructure, while internal company networks would remain closed for confidentiality reasons. Simultaneously, these networks would connect to the C4 for 24/7 remote monitoring.

Regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) , he noted that a slowdown in new investments was observed, associated with uncertainty, as well as tariffs and new US trade policies.

“We are now in a position where it has been stated that the USMCA will remain in place. There will be annual reviews, but that doesn’t mean it will end, which guarantees that there will be a treaty in place for the next 10 years and there will certainly be sectors that will be subject to tariffs,” he emphasized.

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El cargo Industrial real estate sector in Jalisco grows in the face of international environment apareció primero en T21.

The Mexican Association of Freight Forwarders (Amacarga) believes that Mexico, the United States, and Canada must move towards interoperable digital corridors to protect the integrity of the entire logistics operation.

The organization indicated that Mexico should not wait to learn about the upcoming requirements stemming from the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to strengthen its competitiveness, but can instead come up with its own proposal based on greater traceability, advance information, reliable operators, digitalization, regulatory compliance and supply chain integrity.

“North America’s next competitive advantage will be trust, and that can only be built with secure, predictable, and resilient supply chains,” Amacarga stated.

As part of the various forums, working groups and workshops that Amacarga has developed over the last few years with national and international authorities on supply chain security, the association has promoted the strengthening of electronic transmissions as a strategic tool for risk management .

In this regard, General Rules 1.9.9 (maritime transport) and 1.9.15 (air transport) establish the advance transmission of information by freight forwarders, which allows for traceability of operations and provides timely data that, when used by the competent authorities, strengthens risk analysis, intelligent selection of inspections, and the prevention of illicit use of logistics chains.

“For Amacarga, the security of international trade no longer depends solely on increasing inspections, but on leveraging advance information to transform it into intelligence that allows for better decision-making. Strengthening electronic transmissions represents an opportunity to promote safer, more efficient, and more competitive trade, consolidating Mexico as a reliable partner within North America,” he emphasized.

North America generates enormous amounts of logistics information daily: HBL (a legal document that serves as a receipt for the goods and a contract of carriage), HAWB (a bill of lading that functions as a contract and receipt between the freight forwarder and the shipper), manifests, invoices, certificates, customs declarations, routes, carriers, importers, exporters, and records of operations. “The challenge is no longer just generating this data, but transforming it into intelligence,” he emphasized.

The eBL (digital version of the traditional bill of lading), the e-AWB (electronic document that functions as a transport contract between the shipper and the carrier), electronic certificates and advance information can allow you to know about a transaction before the goods reach the border.

Blockchain or artificial intelligence can be incorporated when they truly generate value, but they shouldn’t become the goal. “The goal isn’t the technology. The goal is trust,” he asserted.

The agency mentioned that better information would also allow for a change in the logic of customs control , “not necessarily inspecting more, but checking less and checking better, concentrating resources on those operations that present the greatest risk.”

“That could be one of the great bets of the USMCA review, not only to trade more within North America, but to build together the most reliable region in the world to produce, transport and trade goods,” he noted.

Amacarga indicated that the Mexican government can come up with its own proposal based on greater traceability, advance information, reliable operators, digitalization, regulatory compliance and supply chain integrity.

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El cargo Amacarga proposes digital corridors to safeguard North American logistics. apareció primero en T21.

New technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) in logistics and supply chain in Mexico allow for greater control in operations, security and more efficiency, agreed industry specialists.

Miguel Ángel Rodríguez, regional manager of Transportation at Grupo Bimbo , considered the use of AI to be fundamental, as it is a new way of working and managing.

“AI won’t take your job, but someone who knows how to use artificial intelligence can put your job at risk. The best players are those who understand the rules of the business, the operational rules, and they are the ones who encourage you to use these kinds of tools for the benefit of the organization,” he emphasized.

During the panel “Leveraging technology towards efficiency in logistics operations”, held by the National Council of Executives in Logistics and Supply Chain (ConaLog) , he commented that the company has registered more than 115 million pesos (mdp) in savings in the last three years , derived from the implementation of various technological tools.

“That’s what technology has helped us with, especially in driver safety and improving customer service levels. It starts with safety (the implementation of technologies), but one effect is profitability, optimizations, and monetary gains. Initially, it was about monitoring and reviewing, ensuring the safety of our drivers by observing their driving habits and focusing on safety and security . One effect of this is preventing costs, theft, or accidents,” he explained.

In 2025 alone, the company recorded seven thefts of units, while so far this year, two have been recovered, he recalled.

“For us, given the country’s road network and socio-demographic characteristics, technology is essential in cases of roadblocks or robberies; we plan our routes or detours, seeking the best alternative to ensure we can reach our customers and return the next day to sell,” he explained.

Carlos González, CIO of TDR Transportes , explained that for the company, technology is not a tool isolated from operators and administrators. “What we have implemented is a comprehensive ecosystem , an orchestrator where we centralize all the information from the entire cycle to improve operational control, support our operators, and enhance the customer experience.” He specified that these tools have allowed them to take positive actions in their operations.

Erik Markeset, CEO of Tsol , explained that there are three groups of AI: machine learning , which is the system that deduces patterns; generative AI , which allows human-like interaction and can generate code or speech; and agentic AI , which is assigned certain tasks simulating a human being.

He explained that an example of agentic AI is the interaction via WhatsApp with an operations manager of a transport company who receives a large number of messages asking about the status of a customer’s shipment, where the use of telemetry allows knowing data such as the location of the unit without human intervention.

Alejandro Pineda, Director of Logistics Solutions at RECSOLOG , explained that technology is a tool that advances every day, and those who “don’t embrace it risk getting lost along the way. The main challenge is making the right decisions and empowering our clients.”

He mentioned that AI has provided them with support in the area of ​​analytics, in inventory control , “it does it in a matter of seconds, it gives predictive models, it tells us which products are selling, expiration dates, and it helps us to be more accurate in the data we give to users.”

According to the consulting firm IDC , business spending in Mexico on AI will climb to 110,535 million pesos in 2028, reflecting one of the fastest growth rates within the country’s technology ecosystem.

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El cargo They highlight the use of technology to optimize logistics operations apareció primero en T21.

MONTERREY, NL.– The criteria of the CTPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) program could be modified in the coming years due to the use of artificial intelligence (AI), with the purpose of developing better tools to increase the security of supply chains.

In the panel “Developing Knowledge in Supply Chain Security in the First 25 Years of CTPAT” at Supply Chain Security Day 2026, Mike Garza, director of the Laredo CTPAT Field Office , said that these modifications are possible.

“It’s important because it’s part of the business. It’s very easy these days to do business with a company that seems to be doing everything right, only to later discover that it’s fake, that they were working with a computer, pretending it was a real company. It’s something we have to consider in our security criteria,” he emphasized.

Carlos Ochoa, executive director of  Supplier Compliance Audit Network (SCAN) , said that these changes will be inevitable because there are already companies that have been compromised through AI, with a voice message supposedly from the boss, as well as videos.

“Artificial intelligence is already being used to do bad things, and it is inevitable that all OAS programs, including the WCO itself, will recognize this and that security criteria will be strengthened,” he explained.

He mentioned that changes in supply chain security are expected. “What we are doing today will change more than CTPAT has changed in 25 years, and it will change even more in less than five or 10 years.”

For his part, Leonel Navarro, Cybersecurity Specialist in Supply Chain, indicated that AI helps with various actions such as defending, detecting anomalies or vulnerabilities , but also with phishing or malware companies .

“Artificial intelligence can help us identify events or situations we weren’t prepared to respond to, and that’s the potential of these tools. But what’s important to consider is that today, we’re no longer just talking about humans, but about artificial intelligence agents negotiating with other agents. That’s why it’s important to understand the implications of these technologies and know how to make better decisions,” he emphasized.

According to BTR Consulting , Mexico ranked as the second most affected country by cyberattacks during the first half of 2026. The consulting firm indicated that 83.3% of Mexican organizations suffered at least one cybersecurity incident, a figure that places the country above the global average, estimated at 70.9%, and only behind Switzerland

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El cargo They would evaluate new CTPAT criteria to strengthen supply chain security in the face of AI use apareció primero en T21.

With the goal of increasing the security of goods, the Supplier Compliance Audit Network (SCAN) seeks to have Mexican importing companies and transporters become part of the association.

In an interview with T21, Carlos Ochoa, executive director of SCAN, explained that it is of great importance for importers in Mexico to be members of the organization, since, like the Americans, they are moving a lot of merchandise from China, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam or Brazil .

“The purpose is to help importers maintain their CTPAT certification, to protect their brand . No serious company operating globally, receiving and sending goods from one country to another, wants to see its business compromised by a bomb, uranium, or a group of terrorists hidden in a container, because that would have incredibly negative consequences. So, we want to prevent the container from becoming a Trojan horse,” he explained.

He specified that so far there are no Mexican companies within the association; however, the internal statutes were updated so that firms from the country that are AEO or CTPAT certified can be part of SCAN .

“We have opened membership to factories in Mexico and to importers. We know they are bringing merchandise from the same factories as those in the United States; these are very large factories that produce textiles, toys, and electronics for the entire world. The merchandise they send from Asia to the United States is already more or less insured, but what visibility does the importer in Mexico have to ensure that they are complying with the program’s security criteria?” he stated.

Given the changes, such as customs requirements and those being implemented by the United States and the European Union, “Mexico must keep pace with the rest of the world’s leading economic powers; it has the opportunity to become a SCAN member. They will be speaking with U.S. importers, participating in working groups, committees, conferences, and so on. Therefore, it is time for the business sector, for Mexican importers, to take that step. Ultimately, what we want is a North American-level security framework.”

Similarly, he said that belonging to the organization would help increase investor confidence in Mexico compared to countries like those in Asia .

Regarding the incorporation of carriers into this association, he explained that it is a program in which they would also be audited and that they could eventually also become members of SCAN.

“Now we are ensuring that the container leaves the factory secure. It wasn’t compromised before it was filled; it was filled, the seal was applied, and a seven-point expansion was carried out. The factory is compliant with cybersecurity, personal, physical, and access controls, but now we want those who move this container to also be audited, also be insured, and be monitored,” he emphasized.

This measure would be applied because, according to industry sources, 85% of contamination occurs when a container leaves the factory .

“That’s the challenge of global trade. So, we also need to work with land carriers, shipping lines, and ensure that movement through the ports, eventually. We want the carrier to be in compliance with CTPAT, AEO, and SCAN requirements when that container leaves Monterrey for Laredo,” he explained.

Ochoa added that this program would be implemented in countries with mutual recognition agreements with the United States. In Mexico, it is expected to begin at the end of next year; meanwhile, they will begin reaching out to associations such as the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (Canacar) .

SCAN conducts audits under the security criteria of CTPAT and AEO, as well as the World Customs Organization (WCO) , to keep global trade safe and ensure they do not lose their certification.

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El cargo SCAN opens doors for Mexican importers and carriers apareció primero en T21.

The trip may be scheduled, the cargo waiting, and the customer awaiting delivery. But if something goes wrong, the truck doesn’t move. A brake failure or a malfunction in the satellite monitoring system is enough to halt the operation, even if it means waiting for days. In hydrocarbon transport , arriving on time matters, but arriving safely is even more important .

“When they tell me about the brakes and the satellite system, I tell them, ‘No, it’s malfunctioning.’ The vehicle won’t go out. It won’t go out, even if it takes us a week,” stated Julio Pérez Sixtos, general director of Transportes Sixtos , in an interview with T21.

Behind that decision lies an activity that has transformed over the years. Sixtos recounts the time when the trucks arrived at the Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) facilities and the product entered the tank from the top, through what were called “garzas” (herons). With modernization, that method of loading changed, and the filling process moved to the bottom.

What might have seemed like just a change in the process also ended up affecting the equipment. The carriers had to modify valves, incorporate electronic lines controlled from the cab, and make adjustments to control air and vapor leaks.

And each transformation came with investment . When simple configurations gave way to full-featured ones, he explained, the impact was again felt in costs.

“Now the expense was double. It was quite an issue, but it was what we had to do and we pulled it off,” he said.

For Pérez Sixtos, that’s one of the key differences in moving these types of products. It’s not just about transporting cargo from one point to another, but about doing so under conditions that reduce risks for those involved in the operation and for those who share the road.

“We are a specialized, highly specialized job that deserves to have all the safety standards for the good of the community, for those of us who travel on the road,” he stated.

The cost is no longer just in the equipment.

But the requirements for transporting hydrocarbons are no longer focused solely on the vehicles. For Julio Pérez Sixtos, one of the current challenges lies in the number of regulatory changes and administrative burdens that companies must incorporate while maintaining operations.

“The entire sector has had many ups and downs and has undergone many reforms, many regulations, and, in truth, many administrative burdens,” he stressed.

The businessman described the moment as a “wave of many things at once ,” which forces companies to stay up-to-date and allocate resources not only to equipment, but also to training their staff and, when necessary, to external advice.

“We train our staff, or we pay for consulting if we don’t understand something, to be prepared to see how the regulations from the government, the Tax Administration Service , and the National Energy Commission are coming ,” he explained.

For Pérez Sixtos, remaining competitive in this market requires constant adaptation. In addition to the investments made over the years to keep pace with technical and security changes, they now need the time, knowledge, and resources to respond to new regulations.

The challenge lies in doing so without neglecting an operation that, due to the nature of the products transported, does not allow for shortcuts in terms of safety.

Staying in a different market

This adaptation is also taking place in a market that no longer offers the same conditions as years ago. Pérez Sixtos recalls a time when the products they transported were in considerably higher demand. Today, he says, the work continues, but the available volume represents less than half of what they saw back then .

He explained that a truck can remain in operation for four or five years before it is necessary to think about replacing it, since allowing the fleet to age can make it much more expensive to later recover the rate of renewal.

The strategy is to maintain equipment that is one or two years old and continue improving the trailers as well. The goal, he said, is to be able to offer service anywhere in the country with the certainty that the unit will be in good enough condition to complete the route.

The operator, another challenge of specialization

But having the right equipment only solves part of the equation. Finding the right person to operate it has become another challenge . Pérez Sixtos acknowledged that the shortage of drivers already poses a problem for the trucking industry, although in his case the challenge lies particularly in finding suitable candidates for a specialized operation.

The problem extends beyond a single company. According to the International Road Transport Union (IRU) , Mexico has a driver vacancy rate of 14% , the second highest among the markets analyzed, second only to Uzbekistan, with 15%.

According to the expert, part of the current shortage has deeper roots. For years, he recalled, many drivers trained as assistants, working alongside experienced drivers until they acquired the necessary skills to drive. This training system began to disappear due to changes in economic and safety conditions , but also because the companies themselves stopped allowing assistants in their vehicles.

The response has begun to shift towards operator schools and training centers driven by the sector itself, an alternative in which Pérez Sixtos identified successful cases and which, he considered, can contribute to training new operators.

The challenge, however, doesn’t end with simply adding more people behind the wheel. In an activity like hydrocarbon transportation, training operators capable of meeting technical and safety requirements is also part of the specialization .

After years of changes in equipment, processes, and operating methods, the challenge remains the same: ensuring that every trip departs under the necessary conditions to reach its destination. Because in this sector, specialization lies not only in the vehicle that moves the cargo, but also in the hands responsible for transporting it by road .

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