MEXICO CITY: Two new projects are under study in Mexico and could be added to the 25 already being implemented at a cost of $4.27bn. According to the Transport & Communications Ministry (SCT), a further two bulk terminals are now under consideration in Topolobampo and Veracruz.
The aim of all projects is to increase domestic ports’ capacity from 350m tons to 500m tons.
However, according to Francisco Orozco Mendoza, president of the Mexican Association of Shipping Agents (AMANAC), the main challenges facing national ports are those of reducing tariffs, increasing freight security, making customs more efficient and reviewing coordinating authorities, in addition to the need to invest in infrastructure. Above all, something needs to be done about tariffs, he said, given that those levied in Mexican ports are disproportionately higher than in other countries.
For its part, the SCT continues to warn that legislation governing ports is out of step with the actual ports industry, resulting in loopholes being exploited by the private sector in respect of infrastructure development. Contentious challenges, it suggests, have been made, often making it difficult to fully realise projects. It therefore identifies a clear need for legislation to be brought into line with industry needs.
