Mexico's Contecon Terminal Authorized to Receive Vessels with 15.5-Meter Draft

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Contecon Manzanillo, the Mexican subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), has received authorization to receive container vessels with drafts of up to 15.5 meters, thereby expanding the operational capacity of the Port of Manzanillo. This makes the company the only terminal operator at the port capable of handling vessels of this size, accommodating ships up to 400 meters in length and with a maximum capacity of 24,000 TEU.

José Antonio Contreras, Chief Executive Officer of Contecon Manzanillo, stated that this authorization reflects the company's investments to strengthen the terminal and marks a significant step toward the goal of achieving an operational draft of 17 meters at the new berth, which will enable the handling of larger vessels and greater cargo volumes.

The authorization comes as the National Port System Administration of Manzanillo (ASIPONA Manzanillo) continues to advance dredging and maintenance works in the harbor basin, facilitating the entry of vessels with higher draft requirements. Contreras noted that as vessel sizes continue to increase, the terminal must ensure it has the necessary infrastructure to handle them, and this approval enhances the company's capability to receive larger ships while supporting the terminal's next phase of development.

After completing Phase 3A of its expansion plan in 2025, Contecon Manzanillo's annual throughput capacity increased to over 1.77 million TEU, subsequently growing further to approximately 1.8 million TEU per year.

The terminal is currently advancing the construction of Phase 3B, which includes adding 227 meters of quay length and procuring two quay cranes (QC) and nine rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTG). At present, Contecon Manzanillo operates 12 quay cranes, 43 RTGs, and other equipment for container and cargo handling.

Once Phase 3B becomes operational, the terminal's annual throughput capacity is expected to reach 2 million TEU.