Seatrade Maritime: ICTSI’s Contecon Manzanillo surpasses 12m teu

ICTSI’s subsidiary Contecon Manzanillo, operator of the Specialised Container Terminal II in the Port of Manzanillo, Mexico, has handled a cumulative volume of more 12m teus since starting operations in 2013.

In 2025, the terminal posted growth of 10.5% in import volumes and 12.5% in export volumes, despite broadly flat performance across ports along Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Since 2023, the terminal has invested more than $300m for its Phase 3A and 3B expansion, increasing yard and berth capacity and adding specialised equipment. With a total investment of $900 million, the terminal capacity has significantly increased.  

“The dynamism of trade with Asia has been fundamental to the development of the terminal. Over the past four years, imports from the region – particularly from China – have grown by more than 70%, driven by Manzanillo being the first port of call and its proximity to the country’s main production centres,” said José Antonio Contreras, CEO of Contecon Manzanillo.

Contreras said that the expansion prepares the terminal to operate with an annual capacity of exceeding 2m teu.

The terminal now features 1.3 kms of berths and incorporates state-of-the-art equipment, including quay cranes with an outreach of up to 60 m and hybrid rubber-tired gantry cranes to service vessels up to 400 m long and 24,000 teu capacity.

Cleaner technologies with hybrid equipment have reduced fuel consumption by approximately 50%, the operator said.  Since 2022, the terminal has maintained its Carbon Neutral Certification under ISO 14064, supported by periodic emissions audits and offsetting actions.