Posted on July 8, 2019
Mexico’s government aims to develop three main port projects during the term of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), which ends in 2024.
All three projects are expansions, at Veracruz port (already underway), Manzanillo, and Progreso.
Combined, works require a 100bn-peso (US$5.2bn) investment, expected to come from public and private funds, Héctor López, general ports coordinator at the transport and communications ministry (SCT), said on Tuesday.
VERACRUZ
Divided into two stages, the Veracruz port expansion, which the previous government touted as the largest that has been launched in the country in a century, will increase the port’s installed capacity to 66Mt in a first stage and 95Mt by 2048.
Basic works include a new 4.3km breakwater built by a consortium comprising local companies Tradeco Infraestructura and Caltia Concesiones, and the dredging of the expanded area.
The relocation of a container terminal operated by HPH-ICAVE was another main component. The facility was completed earlier this year and is expected to begin operations on July 1.
Other works include energy infrastructure firm IEnova subsidiary ESJ Renovable III building a US$170mn liquid fuels terminal; a 1bn-peso bulk agricultural terminal constructed by Gramosa Alimentos; a mineral bulk terminal built by Mérida-based Grupo Logra, and a semi-specialized container and bulk cargo terminal constructed by Infraestructura Portuaria Mexicana (IPM), the port subsidiary of local infrastructure firm Pinfra.
MANZANILLO
Expansion of the port in the Pacific coast state of Colima to the neighboring Cuyutlán lagoon will start soon. Covering 1,800ha, the expansion is expected to require a 23bn-peso investment, port officials told local press.
An environmental impact assessment would be completed and approved this year, so dredging works and the construction of access ways could begin next year.
The new area will be dredged from 1m to 20m, making that step a more expensive one in the entire expansion.
Although port authority API Manzanillo has not shared many details, the complete expansion is expected to take 20 years.
PROGRESO
Progreso port in Yucatán state is seen by the current administration as strategic to boost trade passing through the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
Federal and state authorities recently agreed to carry out studies and environmentally sustainable projects in the port and neighboring coastal areas to boost industry and tourism.
Through 2024, port authority API Progreso will invest 169mn pesos to enhance the infrastructure of the port’s neighboring coastal areas, which includes upgrading public piers and maintenance dredging works at some fishing ports.
Source: bnamericas.com
