APM Terminals Lázaro Cárdenas inaugurates Phase II and announces investment for the next stage

The terminal begins operations of its Phase II and announces the start of Phase III construction, reinforcing Mexico’s role as a strategic platform for regional trade

With high levels of automation, electrification and the use of clean energy sources, the terminal consolidates one of the most advanced logistics models in Latin America.

APM Terminals Lázaro Cárdenas inaugurated the Phase II expansion of its container terminal and announced the immediate start of construction of Phase III, a new stage of growth supported by an investment of more than USD 350 million (MXN 6.2 billion) that will strengthen the logistics capacity of the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas and its strategic role in regional trade.

With the commissioning of Phase II, developed with an investment of more than USD 140 million (MXN 2.8 billion), the terminal now reaches 65 hectares of operational area and a capacity of up to 2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), consolidating its position as one of the most advanced logistics platforms in Latin America and a key asset for trade across the Mexican and regional Pacific.

This new operational area incorporates state-of-the-art technology that enhances the precision of container movements, strengthens cargo traceability, and improves safety and operational excellence, while increasing the predictability and resilience of the port system.

“APM Terminals Lázaro Cárdenas is currently the only terminal in Latin America with a fully automated container yard, enabling safer and more reliable operations. With Phase III we plan to build an additional 450 meters of berth, reaching 1,200 meters of total quay length. This is part of our long-term investment strategy to strengthen the port’s logistics capacity and support the growth of Mexico’s foreign trade,” explained Beatriz Yera, Managing Director of APM Terminals Mexico.

Upon entering operation, Phase II incorporates six electric automated rail-mounted gantry cranes, a modern fleet of high-efficiency shuttle carriers, and advanced traceability and operational control solutions, strengthening safety, movement precision and service reliability for customers, authorities and port users.

Leo Huisman, Regional Managing Director of APM Terminals Americas, noted that the expansion of the Lázaro Cárdenas terminal enables the company to scale operations in an orderly and sustainable manner via electrification as regional and global trade evolves.

“This new stage of APM Terminals Lázaro Cárdenas aligns with our company’s global decarbonisation strategy, incorporating a fleet of fully electric mobile equipment in the medium term, as well as electrical infrastructure for automated operations. We are very proud that this terminal will be a pioneer in Mexico—and possibly in the region—in operating with renewable energy sources, an important step toward decarbonising the maritime and port sector,” said Leo Huisman.

Phase III: a new stage of expansion for the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas

The announcement of Phase III continues this long-term growth vision. Its development will allow additional port capacity to be anticipated approximately eight years earlier than originally planned, through the expansion of the container yard and the extension of the berth to handle larger volumes of international trade and position Lázaro Cárdenas as a relevant transshipment hub in the region.
This investment will strengthen the productivity, operational flexibility and competitiveness of the port, consolidating Lázaro Cárdenas as one of the main logistics nodes in the Pacific and a strategic gateway for regional and global supply chains.

Economic and regional impact

The expansion of APM Terminals Lázaro Cárdenas has a direct impact on regional development. By 2029, the terminal is expected to consolidate more than 1,700 direct jobs, in addition to generating a multiplier effect for the economic development of Michoacán and the Pacific logistics corridor.

The project promotes local and regional procurement, including services related to construction, maintenance, transport, security, automation and logistics operations.

In particular, the execution of Phase III construction is expected to generate around 4,000 jobs, both direct and indirect, contributing to the economic dynamism of the port and its area of influence.
With these new stages, APM Terminals Mexico reaffirms its long-term commitment to the country’s logistics development and to strengthening national port infrastructure, positioning Mexico as a leading actor in regional and international trade.

Technology incorporated in Phase II

• Yard automation through six electric ARMG cranes
• A modern fleet of high-efficiency shuttle carriers
• Navis N4 terminal operating system, with 24/7 global support
• Advanced OCR and monitoring systems for full container traceability

Infrastructure planned for Phase III (first stage)

• 450 additional meters of berth, reaching 1,200 meters of total quay length
• Incorporation of new STS cranes to handle the world’s largest container vessels
• Expansion of the container yard for full and empty containers
• Expansion of the automated and specialised equipment fleet
• Generation of approximately 4,000 jobs, both direct and indirect, during construction, while strengthening local and regional supply chains related to construction, maintenance, transport, and specialised services