News / Boxes piling into Mexican ports – but then piling up

Contecon Manzanillo S.A. de C.V. (CMSA)

Mexico’s box ports continue to boost throughput, fuelled by nearshoring and roaring trade with the US.

Manzanillo, the nation’s largest gateway, clocked up 7.3% growth for the first three months of the year, with 8,324,581 tons. Imports surged 15.7%, while exports advanced at a more stately 6.4%.

Box traffic at the port’s four container terminals climbed 17.7%, to 958,271 teu, driven by a 19.2% rise in imports.

Manzanillo handles about one-third of Mexico’s exports and 40% of containerised imports.

Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico’s second-largest cargo ...