Port Overview

The Port of Veracruz is on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in south-central Mexico, a little over 300 kilometers east-southeast of Mexico City. Veracruz is Mexico's biggest and most important port and a transportation centre for the State of Veracruz. Located about 240 kilometers southeast of the Port of Tuxpan and almost 400 kilometers southeast of the Port of Tampico, the port is the backbone of the city's economy. It is also an important fishing port. The primary clients of the port are international car companies that have factories in the State of Puebla.

In 1991, the Federal Government took over the control and administration of the Port of Veracruz and brought in private stevedoring companies to improve cargo-handling operations. In 1993, the Mexican Congress passed the General Ports Act to regulate all aspects of the country's ports and to create the Integrated Port Administrations. The Administracion Portuaria Integral de Veracruz (APIVER) was established in 1994. The APIVER is a variable capital corporation with a 50-year concession, extendable another 50 years, to manage and operate the Port of Veracruz facilities and buildings. Through third parties, APIVER manages port facilities, operates terminals, and port facilities.

According to 2017 figures, 60% of seaway vehicle export and import is passing through Port of Veracruz. There are many vehicle terminal operators using public berths for vessel operations. There is 1 dedicated container terminal and another multi-purpose terminal operator for containerized volumes which is the major operation of Port of Veracruz with 40% of total tonnage in 2017.There are a couple of solid bulk terminal concessions as well, but all grain terminals and 2 liquid bulk terminals are equipped to receive bulk shipments only, they do not have the capacity to perform export shipments. Only way to export bulk grain is using public berths and stevedoring companies.

The new Port of Veracruz that is 6 km North of the current port will become operational within 2019. Current port will not be closed, and it will remain in service. Container Terminal will be moving to the new port, current multi-purpose and grain terminals will be staying where they are and there will be 2 new bulk grain terminals in the new port as additional capacity, one for mineral grain and other for alimentation solid grain. A new logistics centre including a free zone is planned and being constructed behind the new port area which will bring new investment and further development to the area.

Port website: https://www.puertodeveracruz.com.mx/wordpress/

Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com

Port Pictures

 

 

Please also see below new port and free zone project.

 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

Container Terminal

Hutchison ICAVE, handling %86 of container volumes in Port of Veracruz, concession will be ending in 2039, %100 subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings. Hutchison ICAVE will be moving from its current location to new port in second half of 2019. Phase 1 will be 41,5 hectares and construction of Phase 2 will start in 2020 for an additional terminal area of 31.5 hectares. When finalized, Hutchison Icave will have 1,050 meters dock with 3 berthing positions with 15,5 meters draft in comparison to 500 meters dock, 1 berthing position and 10,5 meters draft of today.

Multi-purpose Terminal (using public berth)

CICE is handling %20 of Veracruz Terminal volumes as multi-purpose terminal operator and stevedoring company. Their main operation is, steel and aluminium coils, bulk grain and minerals, containers, vehicles and project cargo. As a stevedoring company they can operate from 6 public docks for a total of 15 positions.

Grain Terminals

Cargill, TMV (Terminal Maritima Veracruz), TCE (Terminales de Cargas Especializadas) owned by ADM are solid grain terminals in the port. They only have import and temporary storage (maximum 2 weeks) capabilities.

Tank Terminals

Vopak and Excellence Sea & Land are tank terminals with ability to receive vegetable oil shipments as they do not have the equipment to heat pipeline connecting the tanks to the berthing pier. They have the capability to store mineral oils and petroleum and chemicals in the same facility. Mexican National Petroleum company PEMEX also has a tank storage terminal within the port facilities.

Vehicle Terminals

CPV and SSA are private vehicle terminal operators using public berths for loading and unloading operations.

Port Performance

Main limitation for Veracruz Port is low port draft which is 12,5 meters with high-tide and in average terminals operate with 10-11 meters drafts excluding Hutchison Icave which 12,8 meters draft shall be considered. Current port has 18 positions and when new port will be operational, this will increase to 53 positions and port will be able to receive vessels with 15 meters draft which can be increased till 20 meters in the future. All container lines calling Hutchison Terminal are assigned with berthing windows. Max Panamax size vessel are being operated. Regarding grain exports, only option is to use public berths and stevedoring companies that as grain terminals are equipped only for receiving from the vessel. Below mentioned cargo handling volumes are excluding containerized volumes.

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following links:

APIVER (Port Authority): https://www.puertodeveracruz.com.mx/wordpress/infraestructura-2/

Hutchison ICAVE: http://hutchisonportsicave.com/contactanos/tarifas/

CICE: http://www.grupocice.com/homecice/tarifas.php?lang=mx 

Berthing Specifications

General Cargo Handling Berths

Port Handling Equipment

The port equipment is managed by the terminal operators and stevedoring companies.

Container Facilities

Please see following link with access to photos and additional documentation: Mexico Photos and Documents

 Webpages:

Hutchison Icave:  http://hutchisonportsicave.com/en/

CICE: https://www.grupocice.com/homecice/puertos.php?lang=us

 

Customs Guidance

Above figures are covering all mode of transports. Please see below September 2018 SAT Strategic Analysis. (In Spanish)

As for the Mexican Customs, the export of goods has few requirements. A Tax Invoice (including the CFDI with Foreign Trade Complement) must be provided, or, in cases where there is no purchase, a declaration where the merchandise value and its description and quantity are manifested. Also, you must hire a customs broker to fill out an export customs declaration.

Very few products require Mexican official permits or standards at the point of export (although there are exceptions such as tequila, mezcal, or avocado), or pay a different tax to the simple customs processing fee. In the case of exporters of wines and liquors, it is necessary to register in the sectorial census of corresponding exporters to avoid payment of the IEPS corresponding to the exported goods. Other goods, such as metals and jewellery, also need to be registered.

Some points to consider are the following:

• Wooden Emblems (boxes, pallets, crates). International standards force exporters to products that go with wooden packaging. The international standard has been adopted in Mexico through the Official Mexican Standard NOM-044-SEMARNAT-2004.
• Certifications of Mexican Authorities. The export of various products, especially food, and products derived from the vegetable or animals require certifications from Mexican authorities for foreign authorities to allow their entry into the country. Especially, SAGARPA, SEMARNAT and the Ministry of Health carry out certifications with international validity in the areas of their competence.
• Certificates of origin. To be able to benefit from the International Treaties that Mexico has signed with commercial partners, it is required to deliver to its foreign client the Certificate of Origin corresponding to the corresponding Treaty.

Terminal Information

Multipurpose Terminal

There is only 1 multi-purpose terminal operator. CICE. They don’t have private berth but a berth is assigned for their container operation, for the remaining type of business, they are using all available public berths. 

For more information:CICE 2018 Presentation.

Vehicle Terminal Operators and their webpages are as follows:

CPV (Corporacion Portuario de Veracruz) : www.csigroup.com.mx

SSA Mexico : www.ssamexico.com

Grain and Bulk Handling

There are no bagging facilities and there are no grain terminals with vessel loading capacity. Cargill, TCE (ADM) and TMV are solid grain terminals, Vopak and Excellence Sea & Land are liquid bulk terminals. Grain Terminals are operating from reserved berths with fixed conveyor belts and scoopers or suction units for unloading. Storage units in the grain terminals are only for temporary storage for periods no longer than 2 weeks as they are not equipped with aerification units. All terminals are connected to both railway and road network. Bulk or break-bulk grain export is possible only using public berths and stevedoring companies.

Webpages:

Cargill: http://www.cargill.com.mx/

TMV: N/A

TCE: www.adm.com

Main Storage Terminal

In addition to storage capacity provided by previously mentioned container / multi-purpose / grain terminals, please find following warehousing companies operating in the port area.

SEMAVE: http://www.semave.com.mx/    Grain and general cargo storage.

CIF: http://www.cif-almacenajes.com.mx/  Container consolidation / deconsolidation, refrigeration plugs for reefer containers, container and general cargo storage, labelling, tagging, palletizing.

GOLMEX: http://www.golmex.com.mx/?page_id=5&lang=en  Container consolidation / deconsolidation, refrigeration plugs for reefer containers, container and general cargo storage, labelling, tagging, palletizing.

FRIOPUERTO: http://www.friopuertoveracruz.com/ Temperature controlled storage, loading, unloading and transhipment, reefer container electric plugs, phytosanitary inspection and certification.

Stevedoring

Public berths and stevedoring activities via private companies is a major operation in Port of Veracruz. Such stevedoring companies are able to perform solid grain/container/project cargo/ Ro-Ro/general cargo loading/unloading activities.

Hinterland Information 

 

 There are 2 railway operators (KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN MEXICO / FERROMEX & FERROSUR) connecting port to Mexican and U.S. destinations. Main clients are car factories followed by mineral and alimentation grain with more focus on import volumes.

Port Security

Port Overview

Progreso de Castro is a city located in the northwest of the state of Yucatan, 36 km north of Merida, which is the state capital. It is the main port of the state of Yucatan, Mexico. Progreso is the base of an important fishing industry and upon completion of 6.5 km long viaduct and port facilities in 1989, it has become main export & import gate for Yucatan area.  Thanks to this statue, in 2017 Progreso is declared to be one of the Federal Government Special Economic Zones, which seek to close regional gaps and create new industrial development poles that will attract new foreign investment. Progreso is also receiving cruise ships due to being in proximity to main tourist attractions in Yucatan.,

Following Yucatan, secondary area of influence for the port covers the states of Quintana Roo, Campeche, Chiapas and Tabasco. Main exports from Port of Progreso are as follows: textile, jewellery, electronic products to U.S. by Maquiladora factories which are exempt from Us Customs taxes, henequen fibre derivatives, poultry and pork products, fruits and vegetables, seafood, honey.

Services available in Port of Progreso are 1 container terminal, 1 solid grain terminal, 1 tank terminal, 2 public berths for multi-purpose shipments, 1 cruise terminal, bunkering, tug boat, ship’s supply, stevedoring, water supply, ship’s repair, fumigation, phytosanitary certificate issuance. 

Port website: https://puertosyucatan.com/

Key port information may also be found at: http://www.maritime-database.com

Port Picture

 

 Port of Progreso Overview

 

 Port of Progreso

Description and Contacts of Key Companies

Terminal Contenadores Yucatan

Website: http://www.tcy.com.mx/

Owned by APM Terminals with 2 berthing positions yet as one position is with 7-meter draft and main berth is with 9,7 meters draft equipped with Panamax STS Gantry Cranes. Currently ships with MAX LOA 220 meters and 1700 TEUs capacity are being received. Shipping Lines that have regular Progreso calls are Linea Peninsular, Hamburg Sud, Melfi Marine, Hapag-Lloyd, ZIM, CMA-CGM and Seaboard Marine.

Multisur S.A.

Website:  http://logra.com.mx/en/terminales-portuarias

Owned by Mexican Logra Group, they are currently increasing their storage capacity to 102,000 tons but only imported grain is passing through as terminal is lacking infrastructure for export shipment plus their maximum storage capability in silos is only for 2 weeks as they do not have aerification units. Multisur is also a stevedoring company that can perform bulk grain export shipments from public berths.

SSA

Website: https://www.ssamexico.com/progreso.aspx.

Cruise Terminal with capacity to receive 1,000,000 passengers per year.

Hidrosur: Petroleum Tank Terminal

Pemex: Pemex Terminal is on the mainland which is connected to their private berth with pipelines.

Gestion de Servicios Portuarios de Mexico:

Stevedoring company that can perform liquid and solid bulk loading & unloading from public berths.

There is also a ferry berth which was connected to Florida, US with regular service till a couple of years ago.

Port Performance

Port of Progreso access channel is 7.1 km long, 150 meters wide and has a draft of 9.75 meters. Access Channel Navigation curve is 265 meters. Turning basin has a diameter of 450 meters and 9,75 meters draft. All mentioned were dredged once during construction of the port and there was no need to dredge again as sea base is rocky and there are no near-by river mouths. Main operational disruptor are northern winds yet port closure time per year does not sum up to 24 hours. Last hurricane hit was Hurricane Isadore in 2002. As port is 6.5 km out on the sea and 5000 m² receiving patio where trucks are processed for port entry is separately located from the port premises. 

Discharge Rates and Terminal Handling Charges

For information on port rates and charges, please see the following link:  https://puertosyucatan.com/ta/tarifas.htm

 

Berthing Specifications

General Cargo Handling Berths

Port Handling Equipment

The port equipment is managed privately. Port Authority API is also a private concession which is operating public berths, but stevedoring services are provided by other private companies. Terminal operators which are sub-concessions to API Progreso use down their infrastructure for cargo handling.

Container Facilities

Please see following link with access to photos and additional documentation: Mexico Photos and Documents. 

Customs Guidance

As for the Mexican Customs, the export of goods has few requirements. A Tax Invoice (including the CFDI with Foreign Trade Complement) must be provided, or, in cases where there is no purchase, a Declaration where the merchandise value and its description and quantity are manifested. Also, you must hire a customs broker to fill out an export customs declaration.

Very few products require Mexican Official Permits or Standards at the point of export (although there are exceptions such as tequila, mezcal, or avocado), or pay a different tax to the simple customs processing fee. In the case of exporters of wines and liquors, it is necessary to register in the sectorial census of corresponding exporters to avoid payment of the IEPS corresponding to the exported goods. Other goods, such as metals and jewelry, also need to be registered.

Some points to consider are the following:

• Wooden Emblems (boxes, pallets, crates). International standards force exporters to products that go with wooden packaging. The international standard has been adopted in Mexico through the Official Mexican Standard NOM-044-SEMARNAT-2004.
• Certifications of Mexican Authorities. The export of various products, especially food, and products derived from the vegetable or animals require certifications from Mexican authorities for foreign authorities to allow their entry into the country. Especially, SAGARPA, SEMARNAT and the Ministry of Health carry out certifications with international validity in the areas of their competence.
• Certificates of origin. To be able to benefit from the International Treaties that Mexico has signed with commercial partners, it is required to deliver to its foreign client the Certificate of Origin corresponding to the corresponding Treaty.

 

Terminal Information

Multipurpose Terminal

There is no multi-purpose terminal. 2 public berths under Port Authority API management and facilitation of stevedoring companies as Multisur or Gestion de Servicios Portuarios de Mexico needs be considered as the only option.

Grain and Bulk Handling

There are no bagging facilities and only grain terminal in Progreso is not equipped to ship but to receive from the vessel only. So again, only way to perform grain shipment from the port is using public berths and mentioned stevedoring companies.

Main Storage Terminal

Except container terminal for export shipments with containers, all liquid and solid grain storage capacity is for import shipment. There is no additional warehouse facilities.

Stevedoring

In addition to private terminal concessions which terminal operators are providing stevedoring activities with their own equipment and personnel, there are 2 stevedoring companies that are operating from IUM 1-2-3 Multi-purpose Terminals that are managed by port authority, API.  These companies are Multisur (which is a grain terminal operator as well, Logra Group) and Gestion de Servicios Portuarios de Mexico.

Hinterland Information

Port is located at open sea and it is connected to mainland only with a 6,5 km bridge. Port entry is at the beginning of the bridge on the land side.

Port is very well connected to its hinterland with a well distributed road network, generally all communities have land access, either through federal, state or dirt roads, speaking for Yucatan the road length is 8,947.80 km, which gives a density of 22.56 km per 100 km2. The railways have an extension of 605 km (no connection to Progreso Port). 

 

Port Security