CONTECON Manzanillo would receive mega-ships of up to 24,000 TEU

CONTECON Manzanillo has expanded its operational capacity to accommodate larger vessels, after obtaining authorization from the Regional Port Authority to serve ships with a draft of up to 15.5 meters, a development that strengthens the logistics infrastructure of the main commercial port on the Mexican Pacific coast.

This authorization has enabled CONTECON to convert its sole terminal in the Port of Manzanillo into one authorized to handle vessels with a draft of up to 15.5 meters and a length of up to 400 meters, thereby opening up the ability to serve the major international maritime trade routes. Among the vessels that could be accommodated are Ultra Large Container Vessels (UCLV), designed to carry up to 24,000 20-foot containers (TEU) in a single voyage.

This new authorization is part of the expansion program that CONTECON Manzanillo has been carrying out to upgrade its infrastructure to meet the needs of shipping lines and accommodate the growth in foreign trade.

The terminal currently has STS cranes that are among the largest in Latin America, with the capacity to handle large vessels. However, to further expand its operations, the company is expected to soon add two new Super Post-Panamax cranes, thereby strengthening its capacity to meet the growth in port operations.

José Antonio Contreras, CEO of CONTECON Manzanillo, stated: “This authorization represents a strategic step toward the development of our terminal and confirms that the investments made in infrastructure are in line with the evolution of international maritime transport.”

The executive also spoke about how the authorization would represent the first step toward the goal of achieving an operational draft of 17 meters, which corresponds to the design draft of the terminal’s docks.

This expansion of port capacity has attracted attention due to the growing demand for more efficient logistics chains and the trend among shipping companies to incorporate larger vessels. The vessels incorporate technologies aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions per container transported.