The International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) said it has acquired two quay cranes and four hybrid rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes to expand the facilities at its Mexico operations.
The equipment arrived on May 11 as part of the ongoing terminal expansion to support the goal of ICTI’s Contecon Manzanillo SA de CV (CMSA) of handling more than 2 million twenty-equivalent units (TEU) annually, ICTSI said in a statement.
As part of the expansion, ICTSI has committed to spending $300 million between 2023 and 2026 for the operation.
“At 60 meters high, the quay cranes are the largest in the Americas. They enable agile and efficient operations on vessels up to 400 meters long with beams of more than 60 meters,” it said.
ICTSI said the cranes “mark a crucial step toward increasing Mexico’s global competitiveness and consolidating the Port of Manzanillo as a national leader in port operations.”
Once fully commissioned, the cranes will enable CMSA to simultaneously handle three ships with length overall of up to 400 meters each – effectively raising the standard of port operation in the region, it said.
“By acquiring new port equipment and strengthening our infrastructure, we reaffirm our commitment to Mexican foreign trade and consolidate our position as one of the country’s leading logistics platforms,” added José Antonio Contreras, CMSA chief executive officer (CEO).
Apart from the additional dock and yard equipment, CMSA’s expansion project also includes infrastructure upgrades that will enable the terminal to accommodate up to 24,000-TEU capacity megaships.
The new berth, which will be completed in the coming months, is designed to handle vessels with drafts of -17 meters.
“This competitive and operational advantage will maximize the cargo capacity of ships crossing the Pacific from Asia,” the ICTSI statement said.
The Port of Manzanillo handles 70 percent of imports from Asia.
“Thanks to our strategic investments, we increased our operational capacity leading to 14 percent growth in 2024, moved 1.5 million TEUs, and contributed to the economic development of Manzanillo and Mexico,” Contreras said.
