Contecon Manzanillo S.A. de C.V. (CMSA), the Mexican subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) at the Port of Manzanillo, has achieved its first 4-millionth twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) year-to-date milestone, even as the company embarks on expansion works to increase capacity.
“We are proud of reaching this latest milestone. More than hitting our targets, this new record demonstrates Contecon Manzanillo’s capability to continuously outpace market growth, and readiness in building a strategic gateway for trans-Pacific trade—making our terminal one of the fastest growing gateways in the Americas,” CMSA chief executive officer Fortino Landeros said in a statement.
“These achievements are possible thanks to our customers, the Manzanillo port authority, but more especially to our passionate, humble and committed workforce,” Landeros added.
ICTSI holds a 34-year concession to develop and operate the Second Specialized Container Terminal at the Port of Manzanillo in Mexico.
The recent milestone comes as ICTSI embarks on a MXN$2.5-million (US$124,000) second-phase expansion of the terminal’s yards and entry and exit gates, and investments in cutting-edge technology and training of its personnel.
“We are very pleased to announce these additional investments aimed at securing Manzanillo’s position as Mexico’s leading maritime gateway. Along with further investments in port equipment and systems, we continue to work hand-in-hand with our customers to improve the efficiency of our operations and processes, and inevitably make their experience a more pleasant one,” Landeros said.
Once the expansion works are completed, the terminal’s capacity will increase by up to 50%, from 1.2 million TEUs at present to 1.6 million TEUs by 2020—giving the facility substantial flexibility to absorb the projected increase in cargo volume at Manzanillo’s largest port.
Complementing landside improvements will be two more quay cranes and five yard cranes that are scheduled to arrive by the fourth quarter of 2019. ICTSI said this places the port as the only terminal in Manzanillo to be fully equipped to service the largest vessels plying intra-Pacific routes.
