CONTECON Manzanillo S.A. de C.V. (CMSA), the Mexican subsidiary of global terminal operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), has enabled the Port of Manzanillo to accommodate ultra large container vessels (ULCVs) after securing authorization to operate at drafts of up to 15.5 meters.
With this milestone, CMSA becomes the sole terminal operator at Mexico’s key Pacific gateway capable of handling vessels up to 400 meters in length and carrying up to 24,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).
“This authorization reflects the investments we have made to strengthen the terminal,” said José Antonio Contreras, CMSA chief executive officer. “It also marks an important step toward our goal of achieving a 17-meter operational draft at our new berths, which will allow us to accommodate larger vessels and handle higher cargo volumes.”
The draft approval comes as the National Port System Administration Manzanillo (Asipona Manzanillo) carries out essential dredging and basin-conditioning works to support deeper-draft maritime trade.
As global shipping lines deploy larger, fuel-efficient vessels to maximize load efficiency and cut emissions, CMSA’s infrastructure upgrades align directly with mega-ship carrier requirements.
“As vessel sizes continue to increase, terminals must ensure they have the infrastructure needed to support them,” Contreras added. “This approval expands our ability to serve larger ships and supports the next stage of the terminal’s development.”
Following the completion of Phase 3A in 2025, CMSA boosted its annual capacity to more than 1.77 million TEUs, which has since grown to 1.8 million TEUs.
The terminal operator is actively progressing with Phase 3B of its expansion program. This phase adds 227 meters of quay alongside two additional quay cranes (QCs) and nine rubber-tired gantries (RTGs) to CMSA’s current fleet of 12 QCs and 43 RTGs. Once fully operational, Phase 3B will push CMSA’s total annual handling capacity to 2 million TEUs.
In June 2010, ICTSI signed a 34-year concession to develop and operate the Second Specialized Container Terminal (TEC-II) at the Port of Manzanillo. Strategically positioned as Mexico’s premier Pacific gateway to Asian trade, CMSA serves major industrial zones and population centers, including Mexico City.
