Mexico’s Manzanillo port to double container capacityMexico’s Manzanillo port to double container capacity

The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, launched the expansion of the port of Manzanillo, last Saturday, during the celebration of the Mexican Armed Forces Day and her visit to the port in the central Pacific Coast state of Colima.

The Mexican Naval Ministry (SEMAR) will oversee the $3 billion expansion.  The project is expected to be completed in 2030. When completed, it would put Manzanillo in the ranks of the world's top-15 container ports. 

The Port of Manzanillo, Mexico’s primary container gateway on the Pacific Coast, will double its capacity to 10 million teu, up from the present 3.5 million teu capacity, making it the largest container port in Latin America, ahead of Panama’s transhipment hub in Colon and Brazil’s Santos Port from the top spots. 

Mexican authorities said that they aim to develop the port sustainably and have conducted an environmental impact study that identified mitigation measures to reduce the project’s impact on the area.

The Nuevo Manzanillo project will transform Mexico’s largest port into a major international logistics hub as installations will be extended by 303% to cover 1,700 hectares, up from the present 450 hectares.

Mexico's National Port System Administration, ASIPONA, said -in advance of President Sheinbaun’s visit- that the new port complex will have four container terminals, as well as piers for petroleum product handling.

“Without doubt, we believe that it is a feasible project,” said Manuel Fernandez, CEO of SSA Marine Mexico, the operator of Manzanillo largest container terminal.

“There are many details that will need to know but the idea that Cuyutlan development is needed for the healthy grow of Manzanillo is unquestionable… Developing the project will take some time, so I think that the authorities should start planning and preparing the detail project as soon as possible,” he added.

While China is a significant trading partner, Manzanillo also imports from Japan, South Korea, the United States, and Latin American nations, highlighting its diversified trade network. Mexico is a centre of nearshoring with more than 18 automobile plants.  

The project is funded through a mix of public and private investments, with interest from firms such as Ferromex, a Grupo Mexico Transportes railroad subsidiary.

Road and rail capacity issues have limited throughput at Manzanillo, and Mexico's thriving manufacturing sector has been pushing for more investment in infrastructure to modernise the facility.