ICTSI's Contecon Manzanillo ramps up port capacity with $300M expansion

Contecon Manzanillo (CMSA), the Mexican subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), has bolstered its operational capacity with the recent delivery of two of the largest quay cranes in the Americas and four hybrid rubber tired gantries (RTGs).

The new equipment, received on 11 May, is part of an ongoing terminal expansion at the Second Specialized Container Terminal at the Port of Manzanillo. Standing 60 meters high, the quay cranes are designed to handle vessels up to 400 meters long and over 60 meters wide, aligning with CMSA’s goal to surpass two million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled annually.

“By acquiring new port equipment and strengthening our infrastructure, we reaffirm our commitment to Mexican foreign trade and consolidate our position as one of the country’s leading logistics platforms,” explained José Antonio Contreras, CMSA chief executive officer.

“Thanks to our strategic investments, we increased our operational capacity leading to 14 percent growth in 2024, moved 1.5 million TEUs, and contributed to the economic development of Manzanillo and Mexico,” he added.

With these additions, CMSA can now simultaneously operate on three megaships of up to 400 meters each, raising the standard of port operations in Mexico. The terminal is also undergoing infrastructure upgrades to accommodate 24,000-TEU vessels with drafts of up to -17 meters — critical to maximizing cargo loads on ships from Asia, which account for 70 percent of Mexico’s Pacific imports.

In 2024, CMSA recorded a 14 percent increase in volume, moving 1.5 million TEUs. The company expects its investments between 2023 and 2026 to exceed USD300 million, aimed at improving efficiency, competitiveness, and support for larger vessels in the trans-Pacific trade.