The Mexican government aims to transform the Port of Manzanillo on Mexico’s Pacific Coast into the busiest seaport in Latin America, capable of processing some 10 million 20-foot (6.1-meter) aimed at turning it into a major global container port.containers, according to the Mexican Navy, which runs the facility, Reuters reported.
Trump’s trade wars
It is already Mexico’s largest port and the third largest in Latin America, handling nearly 4 million TEU in 2024. The port expansion is one of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum‘s major infrastructure projects. The investment is part of Mexico’s efforts to defy an economic downturn as Trump’s trade wars have created widespread financial uncertainty.
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Manzanillo-Cuyutlán plan
The port is managed by the navy ministry (Semar) and its modernization is a flagship project of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who green lighted the PMDP-2021-2026-(Autorizado)_Marzo2023 Manzanillo-Cuyutlán plan
According to Lloyd’s List
According to the most recent classification of Lloyd’s List, Manzanillo is the 53rd biggest container port worldwide. By 2030, it is expected to become one the of most active in Latin America and No. 15 on the ranking.The port mostly handles auto parts and vehicles, agriculture goods and steel, according to the port administration.
Predictions of IMF
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Earlier this week, the International Monetary Fund IMF slashed its growth forecasts for most countries. That included Mexico, which the IMF predicted will have a 0.3% contraction in economic growth for 2025 as U.S. tariffs bite into exports.
Sheinbaum disputed the IMF forecast,
Sheinbaum disputed the IMF forecast, opens new tab, saying that public investment would prevent the economy from contracting and touted her government’s “Plan Mexico,” an effort to boost domestic industry. The success of this plan rests, in part, on the modernization of the country’s ports, such as Manzanillo, according to a government document published earlier this month.
In Manzanillo
In Manzanillo, the U.S. tariffs have not slowed trade, according to Julieta Juarez Ochoa, the port’s commercialization manager. She said the majority of imports arriving at Manzanillo come from Asia and are largely used in domestic manufacturing.
The expansion will boost Manzanillo’s capacity to handle containerized cargo and hydrocarbon products, she said. It is slated to be finished by the end of Sheinbaum’s term in 2030, she added.
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