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Seaports are those places where ships can load and unload merchandise, as well as perform various operations related to the entry or exit of products from the country, as well as storage and ship maintenance services.

Mexico has 117 maritime ports on its different coasts (Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea), 65 of them are for commercial use and the remaining 52 are for sports, fishing and tourism.

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Opportunities and challenges

Since 1990, significant investments have been made to improve infrastructure and modernize ports to adapt to the needs and demands of international trade, which in turn translates into attracting FDI, greater capacity to handle large volumes of cargo, reduced time and costs, and increased security.

This modernization of ports with technology and infrastructure investment has allowed several ports to become strategic logistics centers in the region.

While ports face the challenge of large investments to upgrade their facilities and equipment and improve their operational efficiency to adapt to changing market needs, they also have endless opportunities.

The main opportunities are job creation and investment attraction. Since maritime transport is the most popular mode of transportation worldwide, where more than 80% of goods are transported, it creates direct jobs such as loading and unloading of goods, ship maintenance, as well as indirect jobs in transportation and logistics.

We can see this positive impact of job generation reflected in a better living condition for thousands of families and the economic growth of the country.

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Where are the ports in Mexico located?

Of the 117 seaports in Mexico:

- 48 are in the Gulf of Mexico

- 62 in the Pacific Ocean

- 7 in the Caribbean Sea

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Meet the 5 most important ports in Mexico

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Port of Veracruz.

Considered the most important commercial port in the Gulf of Mexico, it was the first customs office created in Mexico and in the American continent.

Its dynamism in the automotive industry has led it to hold a leading position in Mexican port activity.

This port moves 14.72% of the country's deep-sea cargo and is considered the second customs office with the highest revenue in Mexico, only behind the Manzanillo customs office.

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Port of Manzanillo‍

It is the port that generates more revenue to the Mexican territory. Its strategic location allows countries such as Europe, Oceania and Asia greater facilities in trade between different nations.

Together with the port of Lazaro Cardenas, they have a strong connection with the Asian market, however, the transportation infrastructure is one of the main advantages of the port that have led it to grow year after year, which include highways, railroads and nearby airports.

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Port of Lazaro Cardenas‍

Together with the Port of Manzanillo, they have positioned themselves in the top 10 of the main ports in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the Port Report 2021 of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

It stands out for its activity in the automotive sector, however, other goods such as textiles, food, electronic equipment, steel, iron and its derivatives are also common.

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Port of Altamira‍

Mobilizing a total of 20,828,395 tons at the end of December 2023, the port of Altamira is considered one of the 5 most important ports in Mexico.

Petrochemical fluids, bulk mineral cargo and bulk agricultural cargo are the three types of cargo that are most abundant at the port. Among its main operations is the export of gas to Europe.

This port is characterized by its modernization and constant improvement in its infrastructure, which allows an increase in the cargo moved and efficiency in the loading and unloading of containers.

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Port of Ensenada‍

Distinguished for being the only port in Mexico that is open all year round. Thanks to its strategic location, this port has become the gateway to Asia and North America.

Wheat, Metal, Electronics, Pork, Cotton, Toys and Glass are some of the main goods imported through this port.

"The port of Ensenada has connectivity with major ports in Asia, Oceania, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Central and North and South America." (AISPONA Ensenada, Government of Mexico, para. 16).

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The role that ports play in global trade will continue to be crucial to foster economic growth and prosperity in Mexico and all Latin America. Short, medium and long-term projects are still underway that will improve port infrastructure and the automation of certain processes that will allow the country to be more competitive globally in economic and international trade terms. Thanks to Mexico's privileged geographic location, it has allowed the country to avoid stagnation in maritime trade.