Mexican ports reported declines during the second month of 2026, moving 720,421 twenty-foot containers (TEUs) , which meant a decrease of 4.9% compared to February 2025, according to figures from the National Port System of the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) .

An analysis by  T21 Business Intelligence showed that the vast majority of ports lost TEU movements in February, with the exception of Guaymas (Sonora), which grew by double digits by reporting 61.6%, with 1,317 TEUs moved ; and Coatzacoalcos (Veracruz), which reported a growth of 5.6% with 1,136 TEUs.

In contrast,  Manzanillo, in Colima , accounted for a total of  310,950 TEUs, a slight decrease of 0.6%  compared to the same period in 2025; while Lázaro Cárdenas, in Michoacán, totaled 203,300 TEUs handled  during February, 4% less than in the same period of 2025.

Meanwhile, the port of  Veracruz handled 89,692 TEUs in the second month of the year , a 5.5% drop compared to 2025; and Altamira, in Tamaulipas, which has had three months of negative figures , registered a contraction of 15.6% compared to the same period in 2025, reporting 58,395 TEUs handled .

Despite the negative numbers reported in several ports, the accumulated total for the first two months of 2025 showed an increase of 1.8% compared to the January-February period of 2025 , with 1,518,327 TEUs handled . Guaymas, Sonora, saw double-digit growth of 78.4% , registering 2,903 TEUs; and Lázaro Cárdenas, which increased by 8.3% to 438,403 TEUs, registered the most significant growth.

Regarding participation in the second month of 2026,  Manzanillo accounted for 43.2% of the total TEU movement ; Lázaro Cárdenas had 28.2%, Veracruz 12.4% and Altamira 8.1 percent.

In February 2026, the Mexican economy showed a slowdown, with an annual growth of 1.22% in the Timely Indicator of Economic Activity , according to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) .

The industrial sector contracted by 1.89% compared to the same month in 2025, while services declined by 1.87%. The combination of the contraction in secondary activities and the slower growth in tertiary activities reflected weaker economic activity during the second month of the year, which was reflected in TEU shipments.

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El cargo Ports in Mexico at “low tide”: TEU movements decline during February apareció primero en T21.

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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Hutchison Ports ICAVE recorded a new historical milestone at the Port of Veracruz with the arrival of the CMA CGM Orfeo, the longest vessel ever to dock at the port. Measuring 349.98 meters in length , the operation has confirmed the terminal’s technical capacity to receive deep-draft container ships.

“The success of the CMA CGM ORFEO operation is no accident; it is the result of strategic planning and key investments in our dock and draft infrastructure. We are demonstrating that the terminal is fully prepared for the challenges of modern foreign trade, offering efficiency and safety in every movement,” highlighted Javier Rodríguez Miranda, General Manager of Hutchison Ports ICAVE.

In a statement, the company indicated that this operation was made possible by sustained investment and long-term structural planning . Since 2019, Hutchison Ports ICAVE has been operating entirely in the North Bay, following the completion of its relocation from the South Bay.

The construction of this new Specialized Container Terminal (TEC) represented an investment of over nine billion pesos (MXN) . The port complex was built on two million square meters (m² ⁾ of reclaimed land and has a draft of -15.5 meters, the result of dredging 13 million cubic meters (m³). This infrastructure has raised the terminal’s technical and operational capacity to international standards.

Jorge Magno Lecona, CEO of Hutchison Ports in Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasized that the arrival of the largest ship in the history of Veracruz reflects the group’s commitment to the country’s logistical competitiveness , and reaffirmed that they will continue investing in solutions that strengthen Mexico’s position in international markets.

Phase II of the expansion, planned for 2025–2026, will add a third berth and increase dynamic capacity to 2.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year . This will expand the terminal’s operational infrastructure.

Currently, Hutchison Ports ICAVE has 1,050 meters of quayside and two berths to accommodate large container ships . The equipment includes seven Super Post Panamax cranes, four of which are automated, as well as electric RTG cranes, autonomous tractors, and digital control systems.

The terminal offers specialized services such as LCL cargo, inspection, labeling, and digital traceability. It also features connections for refrigerated containers, a CFS warehouse, and a Logistics Activity Zone (ZAL) , integrating supply chain solutions.

Hutchison Ports is the port division of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited , with a presence in 24 countries and operations in 53 ports. In 2024, it handled 87.5 million TEUs . Its business has expanded to include airports, distribution centers, rail services, and shipyards. In Mexico, it operates in Veracruz, Manzanillo, Ensenada, Lázaro Cárdenas, and Tula.

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Mexican ports showed positive signs in the period January-November 2025. According to figures from the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) , seven million 930 thousand 438 twenty-foot containers (TEU) were handled during that period , which meant a growth of 2.2% compared to the same period in 2024.

However, November 2025 saw a decline in operations, reporting 794,996 TEUs, a 2.8% decrease compared to the same period last year . The most important ports showed mixed results in their November performance compared to the cumulative total for the first 11 months of the year.

An example of this is Manzanillo, Colima, which remained the port with the most movements in November 2025, with a total of 323,989 TEUs , although it showed a decrease of 4% compared to the same month of the previous year.

In the January-November period, the figure was negative. Manzanillo handled 3,547,352 TEUs, a decrease of 1.2% compared to 2014. It’s worth noting that the port has experienced some conflicts this year, such as the workers’ strike last May.

Meanwhile, Lázaro Cárdenas, in Michoacán, totaled 225,911 TEUs moved in November, a growth of 7.9% compared to the same month last year; however, in the accumulated total it moved two million 387 thousand 758 TEUs, a contraction of 1.6% compared to the same period in 2024.

The Port of Veracruz reported 120,849 TEUs handled in the eleventh month of the year, a 4.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024 , although the accumulated total reached 1,197,805 TEUs, a 0.2% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.

Altamira, Tamaulipas, experienced the steepest decline. In November 2025, it closed with 64,610 TEUs, a drop of 15.4% ; while from January to November of this year, it reported the movement of 820,263 TEUs, a decrease of 1.7% compared to the same period in 2024.

Regarding the percentage of movements, during November, Manzanillo accounted for 40.7% of container movement ; Lázaro Cárdenas 28.4%, Veracruz 15.2%, and Altamira 8.12% of the total operations.

The performance of the country’s main ports in 2025 paints a contrasting picture. Overall, they show that, despite national growth of 2.2%, the most important ports face a year of adjustments and a loss of momentum, hence the marginal declines reflected in the cumulative figures.

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El cargo Container traffic: moderate growth and decline in key ports apareció primero en T21.

The Port of Long Beach , located in California, United States, handled 9.04 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the period January-November 2025 , which represented an increase of 2.9% compared to the same period in 2024, driven by the movement of goods prior to the application of tariffs, and it is estimated that by the end of 2025 it will exceed the 9.6 million TEUs reached last year

“Cargo moved at a steady pace, without congestion or disruption, at the Port of Long Beach, while consumers, businesses and supply chain partners endured extraordinary uncertainty caused by changes in trade policies throughout 2025,” explained Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach.

The port also reported that 817,561 TEUs were handled in November 2025, a 7.5% decrease compared to the same period last year . During this period, imports totaled 400,505 TEUs and exports 110,122 TEUs, each representing a 7.5% decrease. Empty container traffic fell by 8.6%, totaling 289,812 TEUs.

Frank Colonna, chairman of the Port of Long Beach Commission, acknowledged the work of the port operators and staff in handling cargo during 2025, and noted that the movement of goods will continue “without disruption through the end of the year and we expect a moderate increase in cargo for 2026. ”

The Port of Long Beach handles over $300 billion in annual trade and generates 2.7 million jobs in the United States. In Southern California alone, that figure reaches 691,000 jobs.

Long Beach is one of the 18 strategic ports of the United States, serving as a support hub for contingencies and national defense . An investment of $3.2 billion in infrastructure projects is projected over the next 10 years.

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“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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The event will feature the participation of 33 leaders from Mexico, Venezuela, Panama, Guatemala, Argentina, Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, and Spain, including presidents of port authorities, general directors, operational managers, and board members.

The meeting will seek to strengthen institutional cooperation and showcase Latin American talent in dialogue with Europe.

The preliminary agenda was presented during the meeting, which includes technical meetings at the Puertos del Estado headquarters in Madrid; tours of port facilities in Seville, Huelva, Cádiz, and Algeciras ; meetings with local authorities and representatives of organizations; panels on innovation, sustainability, digital transformation, and sector management; and networking opportunities between Latin American and European delegations.

Presentations of successful experiences and analyses of common challenges in contemporary port operations are also planned.

Event development

The technical seminar on September 23, at the Puertos del Estado headquarters in Madrid, will include, among other things, a discussion on national port policy and international cooperation.

Three thematic panels will be held at the event :

• “Energy Transition and Port Sustainability,” focusing on decarbonization, energy efficiency, and green ports.
• “Digitalization and Smart Ports,” focusing on automation, data integration, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms.
• “Governance and Infrastructure Planning,” which will address governance models, public investment, and institutional coordination.

The event will be complemented by a technical coffee break and networking opportunities , which will foster exchanges between Latin American representatives and specialists from the Spanish port system, along with government authorities and logistics stakeholders.

According to Zulma Dinelli, president and CEO of PR PORTS, and Guimara Tuñón, executive director of the Maritime Policy Bureau, this stage is key to consolidating alliances, projecting institutional capacities, and strengthening regional positioning in strategic scenarios.

In 2024, the Spanish port system recorded a total of 18.1 million 20-foot containers (TEUs) transported. In Latin America, Mexico, Panama, Colombia, and Peru were the countries with the highest number of TEUs transported.

Mexico emerged as the regional leader, operating 9,375,570 TEUs in 2024, according to data from the Ministry of the Navy; followed by Panama with 7,994,636 TEUs between January and October 2024, according to data from the Panama Maritime Authority; Colombia reached a throughput of 3,702,044 TEUs, according to reports from the Cartagena Port Group; and Peru with more than 3.5 million TEUs, according to figures from the country’s National Port Authority.

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The Port of Long Beach , located in California, United States, reached its highest level of activity for that month in July and the third most intense in its 114-year history, processing 944,232 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) , which represented an increase of 7% compared to July 2024.

Imports increased by 7.6%, reaching 468,081 TEUs , while exports decreased by 12.9%, totaling 91,328 TEUs; and empty container throughput grew by 12.3%, reaching 384,824 TEUs.

“Retailers are now seeing the arrival of products purchased at lower costs during the temporary pause imposed on tariffs and retaliatory tariffs earlier this year,” said Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach.

The executive also revealed that a 10% drop in cargo volume is expected for the second half of 2025 , according to a projection from its digital tool, Supply Chain Information Highway . He also indicated that changes in trade policies could lead to a year of flat growth.

Meanwhile, Frank Colonna, president of the Port of Long Beach Commission, thanked terminal operators, shippers, longshoremen, and others for moving cargo at a record pace .

He said he will continue working hand in hand with the industry and workers to respond to the needs of his customers.

So far this year, the Port of Long Beach has handled a total of 5,690,863 TEUs , representing a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The Port of Long Beach is the United States’ primary gateway for trans-Pacific trade. It handles more than $300 billion in merchandise each year and is one of the 18 strategic commercial seaports in the United States.

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APM Terminals México , the specialized container terminal unit of  AP Moller-Maersk , reported sustained growth in total cargo throughput during the first quarter of 2025 (1Q25), as well as an increase in import cargo.

In this regard, the Lázaro Cárdenas container terminal in Michoacán registered a 7% increase in cargo movement, totaling 227,575 TEUs , compared to the same period last year.

“This performance positions the terminal as one of the most dynamic and strategic in the country,” APM Terminals Mexico said in a statement.

Regarding import cargo , Lázaro Cárdenas also had positive figures, with a 15% increase , equivalent to 76,832 TEUs , “surpassing the national average and reaffirming the sector’s confidence in the operational capacity, reliability and future vision of APM Terminals.”

Meanwhile, APM Terminals Progreso , in Yucatán, showed a positive trend, with a 1% increase in import cargo, reaching 15,224 TEUs .

The firm emphasized that this growth consolidates its role as a key gateway for trade in southeastern Mexico, “with strong logistical links to the United States, Europe, and Latin America.”

“These results are more than just numbers: they reflect the trust our customers place in us and our team’s daily commitment to delivering operational excellence. This growth also commits us to continue investing in infrastructure, technology, and talent to further strengthen Mexico’s logistics competitiveness,” said Beatriz Yera, General Manager of APM Terminals Mexico.

During the first four months of 2025, the port of Lázaro Cárdenas, one of the most important in the Mexican Pacific, registered  a 13% increase in container movement, with a total of 803,191 TEU , of which 31% corresponded to imports, 31% to exports and 38% to transshipment; in addition, it received a total of 311 container ships, according to figures from the Lázaro Cárdenas National Port System Administration (Asipona) .

For its part, the expansion project for the Progreso deep-sea port saw a significant increase in investment in 2025, going from 7.9 billion pesos (mdp) to 12.225 billion pesos , according to the Yucatan government.

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AP Moller-Maersk announced it will change the color of its containers from the traditional gray to the shipping company’s signature blue . The change comes almost five decades after the introduction of the color scheme resulting from a mix of black and white.

In line with the information that has emerged, the measure would be valid for Dry Van cargo containers, but it was not specified whether it would be replicated in the case of refrigerated containers , which are usually targets regardless of the owner company.

In this context, the Danish company announced that “in 1975, we introduced our first container line, the Panama Line, and the gray dry container became a global symbol of Maersk’s reliability. Now, almost five decades later, our containers are painted to match the color that encapsulates our more than 120 years of moving customers’ cargo.”

For his part, Sam Poulter, Maersk’s Global Director of Brand and Content, commented: “More than just a symbol of our brand and heritage, the Maersk blue is synonymous with trust . And our containers represent the trust of our customers who have entrusted their products to Maersk.”

“As our most visible brand asset, to celebrate that trust, our gray containers will now proudly bear the Maersk Blue, which is already the hallmark of our iconic ships, aircraft, cranes, trucks, vans, and logistics facilities,” he added.

Maersk is positioned as the second largest shipping line in the world, with 4,577,146 containers and 737 vessels , according to information from Alphaliner.

With information from  Portal Portuario , a media outlet specializing in ports and maritime transport in Chile.

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