According to statistics from the National Port System of the  Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) , in March 2026 the movement of vehicles through Mexican ports fell by 3.5% compared to the same month in 2025 with 184,829 units, thus failing to recover from the decrease recorded last February, when it fell 20.9% year-on-year.

Although some ports reported declines in car traffic in the third month of the year, the port of Veracruz showed a 33.2% increase compared to March 2025, handling 82,185 units. Tuxpan, also in Veracruz, saw a 15.8% increase, with 3,804 units moved during the period, according to an analysis by T21 Business Intelligence .

In contrast, the port of Mazatlán, in Sinaloa, handled 8,778 units in March 2026, 46.6% less than in the third month of 2025 ; Altamira, in Tamaulipas, fell 27.1% with 38,149 vehicles moved; while the port of Lázaro Cárdenas, in Michoacán, declined 8.6% with the movement of 51,913 units in the reference period.

The negative figures recorded by several ports impacted the cumulative total for January-March 2026. The first quarter of the year saw a 4% contraction compared to the same period in 2025, with 441,765 vehicles handled . During the period, the port of Veracruz was the only one with positive numbers, reporting a 22.3% year-on-year increase with 171,598 units handled.

Conversely, Tuxpan saw a 24.7% drop in the cumulative total for the first three months of 2026 compared to the same period last year , with 6,637 vehicles moved. Altamira declined 19.1% with 89,461 units; and Lázaro Cárdenas decreased by 16%, moving 133,427 cars.

Meanwhile, Mazatlán experienced a slight contraction of 0.5% in the accumulated January-March 2026 period compared to the same period in 2025, operating 40,642 units.

Regarding participation in March 2026, Veracruz accounted for  44% of vehicles mobilized ; Lázaro Cárdenas had 28%, Altamira 21%, Mazatlán 5% and Tuxpan 2%.

Despite the drop in vehicle traffic at the country’s ports in March 2026, car production in Mexico showed improvement during the third month of the year.

According to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) , 343,520 light vehicles were manufactured in March 2026 , representing a 2.5 percent year-on-year increase. Additionally, 310,205 vehicles were exported, a 4.2 percent increase compared to the same month in 2025.

Meanwhile, in the first quarter of 2026, 969,294 units were manufactured in Mexican plants , a 0.5% increase compared to the same period last year. During the January-March period of this year, 795,631 units were exported, a 2.5% increase over the same period in 2025.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @GrupoT21

El cargo Vehicle traffic through Mexican ports decreases in March apareció primero en T21.

The National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (Canaco Servytur) of Tuxpan has developed an action plan to ensure that small businesses and entrepreneurs in the region actively participate in the Tuxpan Economic Development and Well-being Center (Podebi) project in Veracruz .

In an interview with T21, Raúl Patiño, president of Canaco Servytur Tuxpam, indicated that they will begin a series of roundtables, training sessions, and informational forums , with the goal of working hand in hand with the federal and state governments, and for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to understand the scope of the project and prepare to join the value chains.

“We want small businesses to be informed about what’s coming. We’ve already scheduled a joint forum with Canaco Poza Rica, and we’re in constant communication with our sister chambers,” he said.

Patiño reported that the next Forum to promote economic, technological and innovation development in the northern region of Veracruz will be held on September 11 at the Canaco Poza Rica and Tuxpan venues, with the purpose of informing the business community about Podebi, fostering dialogue and beginning to integrate working groups .

“After the forum, we’ll continue with more talks and outreach to get people interested and prepared. We won’t cover everyone in one session, so this will be an ongoing process,” Patiño added.

He also noted that he is working closely with Lidia Soni, head of Economic Development for Tuxpan and a council member of the chamber, to strengthen ties with all three levels of government. He also indicated that he will seek to secure state and federal support to obtain financing that will allow local businesses to compete against the large investments that are coming.

“We want to create productive chains that allow us to be competitive. It’s not just about attracting investment, but ensuring that this investment remains and benefits the entire region,” he emphasized.

Patiño acknowledged the lack of infrastructure and trained personnel, and highlighted the municipality’s strategic location as a key logistical advantage .

“We have to participate as a region: Poza Rica, Álamo; we must all prepare for the coming demand for jobs, goods, services, and supplies. If we work now, with strategic alliances and training, we can be competitive,” he said.

Raúl Patiño called for the joint effort represented by this hub to not become a temporary investment, but rather a true economic driver for Tuxpan and the 48 municipalities that comprise this initiative. He acknowledged that the region has waited more than 30 years for a project of this magnitude and emphasized the importance of taking advantage of this opportunity, which he described as historic, to transform local development.

The Podebi Tuxpan

On August 26, the official declaration of the Tuxpan Podebi (Ministry of Agriculture) was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) , recognizing an area of ​​235.1 hectares designated for industrial and logistics development.

This hub will benefit more than 1.8 million residents in 48 municipalities in the Upper Huasteca, Lower Huasteca, and Totonac regions, boosting key sectors such as agribusiness, metalworking, logistics, energy, the chemical industry, and tourism.

Meanwhile, on August 29, the Ministry of Economy (SE) and the government of Veracruz signed the Agreement for the Economic Development Hub for Well-being . The ceremony was led by Governor Rocío Nahle; the Undersecretary of Industry and Commerce of the Ministry of Economy, Vidal Llerenas; and the Secretary of Economic and Port Development of Veracruz, Ernesto Pérez.

At the event, Nahle emphasized that this agreement “settles an outstanding debt with Tuxpan,” and noted that it would mark the beginning of a new industrial era for the region .

The participation of all sectors will be essential for this hub to consolidate itself as an engine of progress , capable of triggering the development of a region that, despite its strategic location, has waited more than three decades for an opportunity like this.

Comment and follow us on X:  @miroslavacs  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo Canaco Servytur promotes an action plan for the Development Center in Tuxpan apareció primero en T21.