Contecon Manzanillo S.A. de C.V. (CMSA), the Mexican unit of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), has secured authorization to handle ultra large container vessels at the Port of Manzanillo, becoming the port’s sole terminal operator with this capability.
The approval enables the facility to accommodate ships with drafts of up to 15.5 m and lengths up to 400 m, including ultra large container ships with capacities reaching 24,000 TEUs. This milestone coincides with dredging and basin-conditioning works executed by the port authority, Administración del Sistema Portuario Nacional Manzanillo.
The development follows infrastructure investments designed to strengthen the terminal and aligns with ongoing efforts to achieve a 17 m operational draft at new berths. José Antonio Contreras, CMSA CEO, highlighted that these upgrades reinforce the facility’s competitive standing and service capacity within the region.
Following the completion of phase 3a in 2025, CMSA increased its annual capacity to over 1.77m TEUs, which has since grown to approximately 1.8m TEUs. The terminal is currently progressing with phase 3b of its expansion program, adding 227 m of quay, two quay cranes, and nine rubber-tired gantries, which will further elevate annual capacity to 2m teus upon completion.