Over US$500mn in investments planned for Mexico's Lázaro Cárdenas port

Mexico's Lázaro Cárdenas port will receive US$542mn in investment to expand its operational and storage capacity, respond more quickly to increased cargo volumes, primarily from Asia, and consolidate its long-term position as a key hub on the Pacific.

Alfredo Huesca, spokesperson for the Lázaro Cárdenas port administrator, told a video call with the press on Wednesday that the investment will be carried out by private companies operating at the port, namely Hutchison Ports, APM Terminals, Terminales Portuarias del Pacífico (TPP) and SSA Marine México.

Most of the investment will be to expand the specialized container terminals operated by Hutchison Ports and APM Terminals, which require US$345mn and US$165mn, respectively.

"The Hutchison Ports terminal will be expanded by 28ha and 345m of dock, with a total investment exceeding US$345mn. This is already underway, starting in 2025, and the project is expected to begin operations in 2026," Huesca said.

"The APM terminal ... seeks to make all its facilities more efficient. Today, the APM terminal is very excited because it has begun a new project in which it has a partnership, called Gemini, for simultaneous transshipments. This puts the port of Lázaro Cárdenas in the spotlight with a very competitive position as an innovative port providing better services," he added.

TPP, a bulk mineral and steel products terminal, will invest 544mn pesos (US$27mn) to increase its storage capacity in response to the sector's growing demand.

SSA Marine México, the first automotive terminal in the country, will expand its infrastructure by nearly 37,000m2, adding 1,700 additional vehicle reception spaces. Additionally, construction of the external yard on La Palma island will be completed in June, Huesca said. The yard will cover 10.5ha and have the capacity to receive nearly 5,000 additional units.

"This is all very well planned. It is the result of the port's strategic planning, a working group, ambitious projects, and, above all, the tremendous confidence of all investors in what is happening at the port of Lázaro Cárdenas," said Huesca.

"Storage capacity is being increased by nearly 40%. Not only does the port currently have greater storage infrastructure than any other port, it also has a very large reserve," he added, saying there is an additional 1,200ha for further expansion.

Tariffs

Lázaro Cárdenas has seen growth in cargo over the past three years. For this year, given the risks primarily posed by the new US tariff policy, Huesca declined to make any projections.

However, the spokesperson acknowledged that if US tariffs remain in place, some readjustments will likely occur and affect consumer confidence and trade, although he emphasized that the port has improved volumes and continues to grow due to its trade with numerous countries.

In the first two months of this year, Lázaro Cárdenas received 279 vessels, up from 269 in the same months of 2024 and 11% more containers at 404,723. However, there was a 17% drop in total cargo handled at 4.3Mt

In vehicles, one of the sectors that will be affected most by the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, there was a 1% year-on-year to 102,074 units.