The Vital Role of Mexico's Medium-Sized International Ports

The Strategic Importance of Medium-Sized Ports

Puerto de Altamira

• Location: North-central shores of the Gulf of Mexico
• Significance: Key to NAFTA implementation
• Growth: Handled over 13.3 million tons of cargo with 1,363 vessel calls in 2008
• Facilities: Equipped with cranes and lifts capable of moving over 100 tons

Puerto de Coatzacoalcos

• Location: Mouth of the Coatzacoalcos River
• Exports: Diverse range including medical equipment
• Facilities: Cranes and lifts with over 100-ton capacity

Puerto de Dos Bocas

• Location: Near Paraiso, Tabasco
• Industry: Oil production and agricultural exports
• Exports: Bananas, mango, pineapple, Persian lemon, papaya, orange, coffee, sugar cane, cocoa, peppers, livestock products

Puerto de Ensenada

• Location: Pacific Ocean, Todos Santos Bay
• Versatility: Handles industrial, commercial, recreational, and tourist activities
• Activities: Cargo handling, shipyard operations, commercial fishing, marinas, cruises, sports fishing

Puerto de Lazaro Cardenas

• Unique Feature: Accommodates the largest vessels with an 18-meter deep access channel
• Facilities: Medical supplies, limited ship repair, tugs, pilots
• Cranes: Limited to lifting 24 tons

Puerto de Topolobampo

• Specialization: Ferry services to and from La Paz, Baja California Sur
• Throughput: Nearly 900,000 tons of freight annually, in addition to passenger ferrying

Puerto de Tuxpan

• Role: Industrial, commercial, and transportation hub
• Exports: Petroleum, agriculture, fish, livestock

Although these medium-sized ports handle only 20% of the country's freight, their strategic importance cannot be overstated. They are showing more growth than their larger counterparts, indicating their increasing relevance in Mexico's maritime trade.

The Economic Impact of Mexico's Ports

The significance of Mexico's ports extends beyond their immediate operational capacity. According to the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT), maritime transport handles approximately 80% of Mexico's international trade volume. The World Bank's Logistics Performance Index (LPI) ranks Mexico 51st out of 160 countries, highlighting the country's efforts to improve its logistics and trade facilitation.

Recent statistics from the Mexican government reveal that the country's ports moved a total of 6 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2019, with the Port of Manzanillo leading at 3 million TEUs. The medium-sized ports, while smaller in volume, are experiencing faster growth rates. For instance, Puerto de Altamira saw a 4.7% increase in container traffic from 2018 to 2019.

The expansion of these ports is also tied to Mexico's strategic initiatives, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which aims to bolster trade with Asia-Pacific countries. This has led to infrastructure investments, such as the expansion of the Port of Veracruz, which is expected to double its capacity by 2024.

Conclusion

Mexico's medium-sized international ports are pivotal to the nation's economic growth and trade expansion. Their development reflects Mexico's strategic positioning in global trade networks and underscores the importance of continued investment in maritime infrastructure. As these ports evolve, they will undoubtedly play an even more significant role in shaping Mexico's economic future.