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We have visited the Port of Veracruz in Mexico.

In Smart, we are specialists in the trade of goods between Spain and Mexico. For more than 12 years, we have been supporting Mexican and Spanish companies to develop their business opportunities and expand their markets. We know how important is to establish good trade relations and that is why we prepare ourselves constantly to respond and provide the best trade solutions between the two countries.

When it comes to maritime transportation from Spain (Mediterranean) to Mexico (Gulf of Mexico), the major ports of arrival are Veracruz and Altamira. The main transport services are offered by shipping lines MSC, Maersk, ZIM, Hamburg SUD, Hapag Lloyd and CMA CGM. These are direct services with a transit period of 16 or 18 days depending on the route. (Have you ever heard about Incoterms?)

The port of Veracruz is one of the most important ports in Mexico and is the main gate from the Atlantic Ocean to Mexico City and the metropolitan area of the center of the country. SmartLG is constantly sending goods to Veracruz from Spain and is, undoubtedly, one of the most important ports for Smart globally.

In March 2017, members of the team of Business Development in SmartLG, travelled to Mexico to visit the port of Veracruz. The trip had two main goals: one was to visit some of our clients and partners in the southwest region of Mexico, and the other was to know the port of Veracruz and see how the port works.

Veracruz is one of the main ports in Mexico and is the number one in terms of cargo handled annually. The figures of the port of Veracruz have showed a constant growth during the last years. In March of 2017, the port of Veracruz set a new historical record in freight movement, involving more than 2.3 million of tons of cargo handled.

Furthermore, the containers movement has been increasing over the years at the port. During the last 3 years the number of containers has arisen, reaching 965.000 containers by 2016 and over a million of containers expected for 2017. (Do you know which is the biggest vessel in TEU capacity in the world? find out here!)

The Smart team visited the port administration offices where we could see the port expansion project, with new terminals and a new area for logistics operations. The first phase of expansion represents a total investment of more than 28.000 millions of mexican pesos (1.380 millions of euros), with public and private capitals.

Within this first phase, a new terminal with 5 docks are included to handle bulk and liquid bulk cargo. It is expected also two new container terminals with 4 docks of 360 meters long each, with a estimated capacity of 2.5 millions for each terminal.

During the visit, we could also meet their great interest in environmental sustainability programs and according to an APIVER (port administration) staff member “the goal is to achieve a greater harmony with the environment, whereby it is a priority for APIVER to reinforce different programs and actions in support of the environmental care and protection”.

Among these actions prevail the use of recycled oils, the use of ethanol in cleaning-equipment that operate within the port and the use of solar energy for maritime signaling.

After this great visit to one of the most important ports in Mexico, the Smart team visited the offices of different shipping lines and partners to reaffirm its alliances with Smart and their interest in keep developing the best opportunities between Mexico and Spain. (Thinking about shipping? Let us help you!)