APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas has officially inaugurated the second phase of its container terminal and confirmed the immediate start of Phase III.Backed by an investment of more than USD 350 million.
Built with an initial investment exceeding USD 140 million, the newly completed Phase II expands the terminal footprint to 65 hectares and pushes its annual handling capacity to 2 million TEU. The commissioned area integrates six electric automated rail mounted gantry cranes, high efficiency shuttle carriers, and advanced cargo traceability systems.
Beatriz Yera, Managing Director of APM Terminals Mexico, noted that the facility remains the only fully automated container yard in Latin America. These technological upgrades are designed to improve movement precision, enhance safety, and increase predictability for ocean carriers and shippers.
To accommodate the world’s largest container vessels and handle rising cargo volumes, Phase III will extend the berth, expand the container yard, and introduce new Ship to Shore (STS) cranes.
“With Phase III we plan to add 450 meters of berth, reaching 1,200 meters of total quay length,” Yera explained, highlighting the move as a core part of the company’s long term strategy to support Mexico’s growing foreign trade.
By initiating Phase III now, APM Terminals is bringing forward additional port capacity by almost eight years compared to its original master plan. This accelerated timeline aims to solidify Lazaro Cardenas’ position as a primary transshipment hub in the Pacific.
Locally, the expansion will act as a major economic engine across Michoacan and the wider logistics corridor.