Contecon Manzanillo S.A. de C.V. (CMSA), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.'s (ICTSI) Mexican business unit operating the Specialized Container Terminal 2 at the Port of Manzanillo, has recently handled one of the first carbon-neutral containers in North America, and CMA CGM Liberty — the first liquified natural gas (LNG)-powered container vessel to arrive in Mexico.
José Antonio Contreras, Contecon Manzanillo chief executive officer, lauded what ICTSI referred to as "milestone" for the port.
"It is a great day for us since today we have established not one but two precedents for port decarbonization in Mexico and in the north of the continent: the handling of the first carbon-neutral container in North America and the arrival of the first container ship powered by LNG," Contreras said.
"This makes us pioneers at the beginning of a new way of mobilizing TEUs. We are happy because we have been lucky enough to work with companies with a really important environmental responsibility," the Contecon Manzanillo chief executive added, noting that the port was also recognized in 2022 as the first port terminal in North America to receive the UNE-14064-3:2019 Carbon Neutral certification.
CMA CGM Liberty also became the first LNG-powered vessel to call a Mexican port.
ICTSI said the arrival of the 14,806-TEU CMA CGM Liberty represents a key step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable maritime transport in Mexico.
The vessel's LNG-powered propulsion represents numerous environmental benefits, achieving a 99% reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions, a 92% decrease in nitrogen oxide emissions, and a 91% reduction of particulate matter (PM10) in emissions.
"This technology is the most advanced in sustainable maritime transport since it eliminates polluting emissions by a high percentage. We are the first to rotate ships of this type on a regular basis in Mexico, with the Port of Manzanillo as the first point of arrival," said Javier Moreira, CMA CGM Mexico general director.
Sustainability investments
ICTSI noted that Contecon Manzanillo is investing more than US$230 million to expand the terminal. This includes the construction of a new dock and infrastructure in the yard that will increase the terminal's capacity from 1.5 million TEUs to more than 2.2 million within the next two years.
"Investment in infrastructure and the adoption of cleaner technologies represent fundamental actions on the agenda of the port industry, which aims to achieve more sustainable logistics," the global port operator said.
"Through this, Contecon Manzanillo endorses its leadership position to revolutionize environmental social responsibility in Mexico and North America," it added.
