Mexican port traffic growth spurred by imports and containers

Tonnages increased on both Mexican coasts – by 19.1% on the Pacific and 8.7% on the Gulf. Growth was spurred by a double-digit surge of imports through ports on both coasts and reinforced by the increases of 7.6% and 8.8% respectively, posted by the nation’s export and domestic cargo trades.

The first three quarters of 2010 saw across the-board gains for bulk and general cargo with the exception of agribulks. Teu volumes jumped by a record 32.3% and double-digit increases from a year ago were also posted by breakbulk, mineral bulk, and non-petroleum liquid cargo.

Comparing average rates of growth in the first three quarters of the years 2005-10, the pattern is strongly positive for containerised cargo, non-petroleum liquids and autos, while less upbeat for bulk minerals, and agribulks.