Largest STS cranes in LatAm are in Contecon Manzanillo

Contecon Manzanillo (CMSA) in the Port of Manzanillo and a leader in port operations in Mexico, took delivery of two ship-to-shore cranes considered to be the largest in the American continent.

Delivered together with five hybrid rubber tired gantries, the new equipment will significantly expand the terminal’s capacity to exceed the volume handled in previous years. The state-of-the-art cranes will also redound to more efficient port operations and dynamism in the country’s foreign trade. Moreover, this fresh investment further cements the Port of Manzanillo as a national business leader.

The new cranes are part of the expansion project of the leading company in Mexican port operations, which also include the expansion of container yards and extension of docks that will be able to receive mega container ships with capacities of up to 24,000 TEUs.

The arrival of the new equipment was celebrated in an event headed by José Antonio Contreras, CMSA chief executive officer, along with local and state authorities including Admiral Mario Gasque, Asipona Manzanillo general director; Mayreni Ortega Monroy, Colima Representative Delegate of the State of Colima. Also present were Anders Kjeldsen, ICTSI senior vice president and regional head – Latin America, and Her Excellency Lilybeth Deapera, Philippine ambassador to Mexico.

“All of us who worked on this project have a common goal: to move forward with this great port in Manzanillo. This is the moment that marks the beginning of a new Contecon, not only in terms of facilities, equipment and technology, but also with regards to the concerns of the community,” said Mr. Contreras. 

He added: “Thanks to this expansion project, we will go from handling 1.4 million containers to more than 2.2 million per year. This obviously must be accompanied by many things: new access, greater capacities at customs, and better fluidity between interested parties.”

In turn, Admiral Gasque commented that “The arrival of these cranes, the largest in Latin America, marks an important chapter. Last year, we moved 22.6 million tons of containerized cargo, and with this modernization, we hope to exceed that figure in 2024.”

“Terminals, especially those specializing in containerized cargo, have focused on serving increasingly large ships that puts us at the forefront of efficiency and productivity in the region. In the last 10 years, we have increased the amount of cargo we can move from 2.1 million tons to 3.7 million tons, making this port the country’s leader in containerized cargo. In this regard, I want to recognize Contecon Manzanillo for its mission and investment,” he added.

CMSA has invested more than MXN5.7 billion in infrastructure, MXN3 million in equipment, and has contributed more than MXN6.2 billion in port compensation to the coffers of the Mexican State.

These investments in the Port of Manzanillo, recognized by the Mexican Government as the country’s main trade and logistics center, are essential for the country’s economic development. Approximately 70 percent of the imports arriving in Manzanillo come from Asia, so the support of companies to this port is essential to sustain and promote its growth.

These contributions in infrastructure are crucial to consolidate Mexico’s position in the global market and guarantee sustained development in foreign trade since they strengthen the country’s ability to compete internationally.

Finally, Contreras pointed out: “The 1,300 families we have here today are really the ones who move us and keep us moving forward. Fortunately, in Mexico, we are experiencing such accelerated activity that’s positive but at the same time challenging. In the last two years, we have been working together with Asipona Manzanillo and we have already achieved remarkable things. We have planned for the future, which was what was needed.”