Mexico Launches $22B Port Modernization Program
Mexico has announced a sweeping $22 billion investment plan to expand and modernize its seaport infrastructure over the next six years, positioning ports as the backbone of the nation’s nearshoring strategy.
The program combines public and private capital and spans major Pacific and Gulf hubs, including Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz, Salina Cruz, Coatzacoalcos, and Progreso. Upgrades totaling $1.3 billion are slated for this year alone.
A centerpiece of the initiative is the $7.5 billion Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, designed to connect the Pacific and Atlantic through a modernized rail-and-port network. The corridor aims to offer manufacturers and shippers a faster, lower-cost alternative to the Panama Canal, combining double-stack rail service, industrial clusters, and port expansion.
Key Projects Include:
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Manzanillo: Tripling capacity to 10 million TEUs by 2030 to become Latin America’s largest port.
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Lázaro Cárdenas: Expansion into a multimodal hub with customs and container facilities.
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Ensenada: Dock expansion and dredging to accommodate larger vessels.
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Veracruz: New breakwater and terminal infrastructure to attract private investment.
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Progreso: Expanded terminals and new rail links connected to the Maya Train project.
Officials say these projects will anchor Mexico in global supply chains, enhance its maritime competitiveness, and strengthen its role as a logistics and manufacturing leader.
IFCO Expands U.S. Network with Dallas Facility
Reusable packaging provider IFCO has opened a 240,000-square-foot service center in Mesquite, Texas, expanding its U.S. operations. The facility will process more than 40 million reusable crates annually, supporting grocery retailers and growers in delivering fresh food efficiently. The location employs more than 100 workers and leverages the Dallas region’s central transport corridors.
Metal Manufacturer Invests in Saltillo
In Mexico’s Coahuila state, AH MANF inaugurated a $10 million facility in Saltillo, adding 250 jobs to the region’s metalworking sector. The company, established in 2024, specializes in plasma and laser cutting, bending, and fabrication of metal components for domestic and international markets.
