The port of Seybaplaya, in the state of Campeche, could become an engine of regional and national economic development, aligned with the objectives of sustainability, efficiency and the priority project of cabotage and short sea shipping (TMCD), according to Manuel Fernando Gutiérrez Gallardo, head of the General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine (CGPMM) of the Ministry of the Navy (Semar).
On the first day of the APICAM Port Investment Attraction Forum, held in Campeche, the market study for the identification of cabotage and TMCD opportunities was presented, carried out by the consulting firm IDOM in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). and the CGPMM.
Focused on the development potential of the south-southeast area in accordance with the Wellbeing Poles (Podebis) and the Interoceanic Corridor, it analyzed the ports of Altamira, Tuxpan, Coatzacoalcos, Progreso, Seybaplaya and Salina Cruz.
With the exception of the port of Seybaplaya, together they moved 93.1 million tons of cargo during 2023, with an average growth of 1.2% in the last 20 years, which is forecast to be higher in 2043, with an estimated 136 million tons. mobilized.
Double digit rise
But in the case of Seybaplaya, there was a 19.1% increase in cargo during recent years, mainly due to the movement of mineral bulk for the Maya Train; Due to its characteristics, the port could move 77 million tons in the next two decades.
“Seybaplaya is projected as a strategic pillar in the logistics transformation of Mexico, especially in the south-southeast of the country, due to its proximity to industrial, energy and commercial corridors, as well as its privileged location in the Gulf of Mexico,” he said. Gutiérrez Gallardo.
“The port has already served offshore services and has a great opportunity for cargo movement,” which is why it is crucial to invest in dredging projects and the expansion of its infrastructure to take advantage of its potential.
Cabotage as a detonator
The cabotage and TMCD plan seeks to strengthen regional trade through the use of maritime routes for the transportation of goods within the national territory.
The objective is to take advantage of the more than 11,000 kilometers of coastline to complement and, in some cases, replace land transportation, which currently moves most goods.
For the south-southeast region there is a market for maritime development, but it is necessary to promote strategic alliances between investors who have already shown interest and the authorities in charge of managing the ports, as well as an investment to develop a Mexican fleet, he said. Víctor Felipe Domínguez Maldonado, project director at IDOM.
Among the routes with high viability, identified by IDOM, Tuxpan-Progreso, Altamira-Georgia, Tuxpan-Texas, Tuxpan-Mississippi, Tuxpan-Alabama and Tuxpan-Florida stand out; However, some of these routes require appropriate management, especially in relation to the trade balance.
Seybaplaya is a mainly oil port with low commercial cargo, but it has the possibility of operating with other products, such as mineral bulk, cement and limestone, both nationally and internationally.
“It is an excellent opportunity for it to position itself nationally as a port capable of diversifying its lines of business, beyond its role as an oil hub,” added Domínguez Maldonado.
Business interest
Investments such as that of Cruz Azul and CEWS improved the situation for the promotion of Campeche and neighboring states, “manufacturing is of great relevance, since the movement of containers is triggered from this sector, which results in a favorable business both for port fees and for users,” added the specialist.
In the ports of Seybaplaya there is already a concession title, it has areas and a strategic position with a lot of potential; In addition, there are letters of intent from businessmen interested in developing the infrastructure, what follows is to launch the calls for tenders, concluded Gutiérrez Gallardo, with a call for private investment.
