ICTSI’s Manzanillo handles first LNG-fuelled boxship to call Mexico

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) Mexican business Contecon Mananillo operates Specialised Container Terminal 2 at the Port of Manzanillo where the CMA CGM vessel called.

“It is a great day for us, since today we have established not one but two precedents for port decarbonisation in Mexico and in the north of the continent: the handling of the first carbon-neutral container in North America and the arrival of the first container ship powered by LNG,” said José Antonio Contreras, Contecon Manzanillo Chief Executive Officer.

“This makes us pioneers in the beginning of a new way of mobilising teus. We are happy because we have been lucky enough to work with companies with an important environmental responsibility.

“Contecon Manzanillo was recognized in 2022 as the first port terminal in North America to receive the UNE-14064-3:2019 Carbon Neutral certification. This demonstrates our commitment to the fight against climate change,” added Contreras.

The 14,806-teu CMA CGM Liberty LNG-powered vessel boasts a 99% reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions, a 92% decrease in nitrogen oxide emissions, and a 91% reduction of particulate matter (PM10) in emissions. 

“This technology is the most advanced in sustainable maritime transport, since it eliminates polluting emissions in a high percentage. We are the first to rotate ships of this type on a regular basis in Mexico, with the Port of Manzanillo as the first point of arrival,” explained Javier Moreira, CMA CGM Mexico General Director.

Related:ICTSI Contecon Manzanillo and CMA CGM launch block train service

Contecon Manzanillo is investing more than $230 million to expand the terminal. This includes the construction of a new dock and infrastructure in the yard that will increase the terminal’s capacity to 2.2m teu, up from 1.5m teu, within the next two years.