Maersk Ship Launches Ops at APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas

Mexico’s largest semi-automated terminal Lazaro Cardenas, operated by the Netherlands-based APM Terminals, has officially started operations as it welcomed its first vessel, the 9,600 TEU Maersk Salalah.

With the first phase of the terminal complete, APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas occupies an area of 49 hectares, with a quay of 750 meters in length for ships and a depth of 16.5 meters.

“Today is a milestone as we add an additional operational terminal to our portfolio,” Morten H. Engelstoft, CEO of APM Terminals, said.

“We have a significant portfolio across Latin America, and this will be our second terminal in Mexico after Yucatan. We are pleased to be a contributor in helping Mexico to reach its growth ambitions,” Engelstoft added.

By the final phase of the terminal buildout, which is scheduled to happen between 2027 and 2030, the terminal’s water depth will increase to 18 meters.

By then, the terminal will have a quay 1.5 km long in a total area of 102 hectares and a capacity of 4.1 million TEUs, operated by 15 ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and 10 rail tracks, providing intermodal access.

The total investment cost for the full project is expected to reach some USD 900 million, according to APM Terminals.