Top 5 ports in Mexico

Quick Overview

Mexico’s top ports connect Asia, North America, Europe, and Latin America through major Pacific and Gulf gateways. In 2025, Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz, Altamira, and Ensenada led the country’s container traffic.

Mexico is one of the most important trade economies in Latin America. Its port system supports automotive manufacturing, electronics, retail imports, industrial machinery, agricultural exports, petroleum products, chemicals, and cross-border supply chains linked to the United States.

In 2025, Mexico’s ports handled 9,529,886 TEUs, a 1.6% increase from 2024. Although total cargo tonnage declined, container traffic continued to grow, showing the importance of Mexico’s role in global containerized trade.

1. Port of Manzanillo

The Port of Manzanillo is Mexico’s largest container port and the country’s main Pacific gateway for trade with Asia. Located in the state of Colima, it serves central and western Mexico and is especially important for cargo moving to and from Mexico City, Guadalajara, Bajío industrial zones, and other major inland markets.

In 2025, Manzanillo handled 3,893,355 TEUs, keeping its position as Mexico’s leading container port. It accounted for a large share of national container traffic and remained the primary entry point for Asian imports used in manufacturing, retail, automotive production, electronics, and consumer goods.

Manzanillo is also undergoing major expansion. Mexico’s government aims to transform it into one of the busiest ports in Latin America, with long-term plans to increase container capacity and improve hydrocarbon handling. The project is expected to support Mexico’s growing manufacturing base and nearshoring-related trade flows.

Main cargo handled at the Port of Manzanillo includes:

• Containers
• Automotive parts
• Electronics
• Machinery
• Consumer goods
• Steel products
• Agricultural goods
• Chemicals
• General cargo

Because of its Pacific location, Manzanillo is a key port for importers and exporters shipping between Mexico and Asia.

2. Port of Lázaro Cárdenas

The Port of Lázaro Cárdenas is located in the state of Michoacán on Mexico’s Pacific coast. It is one of the country’s deepest and most strategically important ports, with strong rail and road connections to central Mexico and the United States.

In 2025, Lázaro Cárdenas handled 2,616,770 TEUs, an 8.7% increase from 2024. This made it the second-largest container port in Mexico and one of the fastest-growing major ports in the country.

The port is especially important for containerized cargo, automobiles, steel, minerals, dry bulk, liquid bulk, and industrial cargo. It is also used as an alternative Pacific gateway when shippers need to avoid congestion at other ports or improve access to inland distribution points.

Lázaro Cárdenas is well connected by rail, including links that support cargo movement toward Mexico City, Monterrey, and cross-border supply chains. Its role has grown as manufacturers look for flexible logistics routes serving Mexico’s industrial corridors.

Main cargo handled at the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas includes:

• Containers
• Automobiles
• Steel
• Mineral products
• Dry bulk
• Liquid bulk
• Project cargo
• Industrial inputs
• General cargo

Lázaro Cárdenas is a strong option for shippers moving high-volume cargo through Mexico’s Pacific coast.

3. Port of Veracruz

The Port of Veracruz is Mexico’s most important Gulf of Mexico container port and one of the country’s oldest commercial gateways. Located on the eastern coast, it connects Mexico with the United States Gulf Coast, Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Atlantic trade routes.

In 2025, Veracruz handled 1,299,337 TEUs, making it the third-largest container port in Mexico. It remains a major gateway for central and eastern Mexico, including Mexico City, Puebla, Querétaro, and other industrial and consumer markets.

Veracruz is especially important for the automotive industry. It handles cars, auto parts, machinery, steel, food products, agricultural goods, chemicals, containers, and general cargo. Its location also makes it a practical gateway for cargo moving between Mexico and Europe.

The port has undergone major modernization and expansion over the years, increasing its ability to handle larger vessels and higher cargo volumes.

Main cargo handled at the Port of Veracruz includes:

• Containers
• Vehicles
• Auto parts
• Machinery
• Steel
• Food products
• Agricultural goods
• Chemicals
• General cargo

Veracruz is one of the best options for shippers using ocean freight routes between Mexico, Europe, and the Atlantic side of the Americas.

4. Port of Altamira

The Port of Altamira is located in the state of Tamaulipas on Mexico’s Gulf Coast. It serves northern and central Mexico and is especially important for industrial, petrochemical, automotive, and manufacturing supply chains.

In 2025, Altamira handled 887,101 TEUs, ranking fourth among Mexico’s container ports. Although its container volume declined compared with 2024, it remained one of the country’s main Gulf gateways.

Altamira’s inland connections make it important for cargo moving to and from Monterrey, Saltillo, Reynosa, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, and other industrial centers. The port is also closely linked to Mexico’s chemical and petrochemical sectors, with facilities that handle liquid bulk, dry bulk, containers, general cargo, and project cargo.

Main cargo handled at the Port of Altamira includes:

• Containers
• Petrochemicals
• Chemicals
• Liquid bulk
• Dry bulk
• Automotive cargo
• Machinery
• Steel products
• Oversized cargo
• General cargo

Altamira is a strong Gulf Coast option for shippers serving northern Mexico and cross-border supply chains connected to the United States.

5. Port of Ensenada

The Port of Ensenada is located in Baja California, close to the United States border and about 110 km from California. Its location gives it a strategic role in trade between Mexico, the United States, Asia, and the Pacific Coast of the Americas.

In 2025, Ensenada handled 427,499 TEUs, placing it fifth in Mexico’s national port system for container traffic. The port also supports cruise activity, fishing, regional cargo, and industrial supply chains in northwestern Mexico.

Ensenada is especially useful for cargo connected to Baja California, Tijuana, Tecate, Mexicali, Southern California, and nearby manufacturing clusters. Its road links provide access to key border crossings and industrial zones, making it relevant for both international and regional freight.

Main cargo handled at the Port of Ensenada includes:

• Containers
• Consumer goods
• Industrial inputs
• Agricultural products
• Seafood
• Machinery
• Regional cargo
• General cargo

Ensenada is smaller than Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz, and Altamira, but its proximity to the US border makes it a strategic port for regional supply chains.

Other important ports in Mexico

Mexico has several other ports that support domestic and international trade. These include:

• Progreso, an important port for Yucatán and the Gulf-Caribbean region
• Tuxpan, used for fuels, bulk cargo, and regional trade
• Mazatlán, serving northwest Mexico and Pacific routes
• Coatzacoalcos, important for energy, petrochemicals, and Gulf cargo
• Tampico, a long-established Gulf port for industrial and general cargo
• Guaymas, serving Sonora and northwestern Mexico
• Puerto Chiapas, supporting trade in southern Mexico

These ports may not rank in the top five for container throughput, but they remain important for regional logistics, bulk cargo, energy products, agriculture, and coastal shipping.

Mexico’s port network and trade role

Mexico’s ports are increasingly important because of the country’s manufacturing base, proximity to the United States, and role in nearshoring. Pacific ports such as Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas are especially important for trade with Asia, while Gulf ports such as Veracruz and Altamira connect Mexico with Europe, the US Gulf, the Caribbean, and Atlantic trade lanes.

For shippers, the right Mexican port depends on cargo type, origin, destination, inland transport options, transit time, and available carrier services. Pacific routes are often preferred for Asian imports, while Gulf routes are commonly used for cargo moving between Mexico, Europe, and the Atlantic side of the Americas.

Mexico’s port system also connects with major North American logistics corridors. For example, cargo from Asia may enter through Manzanillo or Lázaro Cárdenas before moving inland by truck or rail. In some cases, these Pacific ports can also act as alternatives to congested US West Coast gateways such as Long Beach and Los Angeles.

Conclusion

Mexico’s top ports are essential to the country’s trade and manufacturing economy. Manzanillo remains the largest container port, Lázaro Cárdenas continues to grow as a major Pacific gateway, Veracruz leads Gulf container activity, Altamira supports industrial and petrochemical supply chains, and Ensenada serves Baja California and cross-border trade with the United States.

Together, these ports support Mexico’s imports and exports across automotive, electronics, machinery, consumer goods, chemicals, agriculture, fuels, and industrial cargo. As nearshoring, port expansion, and manufacturing growth continue, Mexico’s port network will remain a key part of global and regional supply chains.