Mexico’s ports are a hub of activity for trade, and it is no surprise. Mexico is ranked as the 13th biggest export economy in the World, and Mexico’s Export Industry is inclusive. According to the OEC’s data, Mexico imported goods worth $368B in 2020. Statista has compiled figures that show Mexico to be the 11th largest exporter in the World. This high global trade activity makes it natural for Mexico to have high-level logistics centers, especially in its seaports. After all, 80% of international commerce is transported by sea.
The National Port System of Mexico connects 145 countries with its 102 ports and out-of-port facilities. The National Port System of Mexico comprises five main seaports based on tonnage.
5 Major Mexican Ports – 2023 Updated List
We list the five most significant ports of Mexico for you. Mexico is a powerful trading point for the American continent and the rest of the World. It has essential ports for the smooth progress of world trade and product transportation. If your organization carries out transportation in connection with Mexican ports, ShipsGo Service Finder Premium service is an essential tool for you to use to find service. After finding service, you can track your shipment with the ShipsGo Container Tracking tool.
List of Top 5 Mexico Ports – Size and TEU Activity
The Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea surround Mexico. Mexico has approximately 12 ports along the Pacific Coast and more than 20 on the Atlantic Coast.
Let’s dive into the Top 5 Ports in Mexico!
5- Port of Ensenada
Ensenada Port is located in Baja California, the northwest corner of Mexico. The port is 110 km from the US-Mexico Border. Ensenada also serves as the seat of Ensenada Municipality, which borders the United States to the north, with California and Arizona, and the Mexican state of Baja California Sur to the south. Federal Highway 1 connects the Port of Ensenada to Tijuana, San Diego, and Tijuana. The Port of Ensenada will handle 394,911 TEUs in 2021. Port Ensenada is a multi-purpose facility that can be used for both commercial shipping and passenger vessels.
4- Port of Altamira
Altamira is the port of entry for international trade to Mexico’s Central and Bajio Regions. Construction of the Port Altamira took place in an unpopulated region, which enabled it to occupy a land area of 1,600 acres. The port has developed over the years to accommodate container ships. Port Altamira handled 1,550 ships in 2021. This included 12,185,000 tons of shipment and 397,000 containers.
3-Port of Veracruz
Port of Veracruz, located in Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico coast, is one of Mexico’s best commercial seaports. The port’s modern service infrastructure makes it a national leader in moving agricultural bulk, cars, and containers. Port Veracruz boasts the only X-ray and Gamma-ray Scanning Equipment in the country. Port Veracruz is expected to handle 1,600 vessels and 16,50,000 tons of shipment by 2021.
2- Port of Lazaro Cárdenas
Lazaro Cardenas Port, located in Michoacan state on the Pacific coast, is considered the second-largest port in the nation. The 1,500-hectare port area is available for new businesses and terminals. Lazaro Cardenas, the only port with a depth greater than 18 meters in Mexico, is located here. It is also one of the few ports in Mexico to receive vessels with a maximum water displacement of 170 thousand tonnes. In 2021, 1,69 million TEUs went through the port. That’s a 58.9% growth year-over-year.
1- Port of Manzanillo
Manzanillo Port is located in Colima, on the Pacific coast. Manzanillo, the largest port in Mexico, is on the Pacific coast. It’s also the primary port for goods heading to the middle of the nation, particularly Mexico City. Foreign trade is the primary activity of the Colima port. It generates more foreign currency than local trade or tourism and is a significant source of revenue for the Colima state. In 2021, the port handled 48% of the shipment that entered Mexico. In 2021, it handled 3.37 million TEUs. That’s a 15.9 percent increase from the previous year. The port is now the busiest seaport in Mexico.
