Manzanillo Container Traffic Grows 11% in First Eight Months of 2026

Mexico’s leading container port handled nearly 2.83 million TEUs in the first eight months of 2026, with export volumes rising 16% and international trade accounting for 85% of container movements.

The Port of Manzanillo, on Mexico’s Pacific coast in the state of Colima, handled approximately 2.82 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) between January and August 2026, an increase of 11% compared with the same period last year, according to figures from the Administración del Sistema Portuario Nacional (ASIPONA Manzanillo).

The results underline the importance of containerized cargo to the port’s activity, with containers accounting for approximately three-quarters of its commercial cargo tonnage during the period. Overall commercial cargo volumes increased by nearly 6%.

Export Growth Supports Container Traffic

Export containers recorded the strongest growth among Manzanillo’s main traffic categories, rising 16% year on year. They accounted for the largest share of container movements during the first eight months of 2026.

ASIPONA’s figures show the following distribution:

• Exports: 1,241,966 TEUs, representing 44% of container throughput.
• Imports: 1,163,890 TEUs, accounting for 41%.
• Transshipment: 418,980 TEUs, equivalent to 15%.

Together, export and import movements represented 85% of the port’s container traffic, while transshipment accounted for the remaining 15%.

This distribution highlights Manzanillo’s role as a gateway for Mexico’s international trade, rather than predominantly as a transshipment hub. Its Pacific location connects maritime services with the country’s main industrial and consumption markets.

Vessel Calls Increase Alongside Cargo Volumes

The increase in container traffic was accompanied by higher vessel activity.

Between January and August 2026, Manzanillo received 1,175 vessels, 82 more than during the corresponding period in 2025.

Of these, 1,059 were commercial cargo vessels, representing approximately 90% of total calls, while 116 carried petroleum products and derivatives. Container ships accounted for 76% of commercial cargo vessel calls.

Containerized cargo remained the dominant category in the port’s overall commercial cargo activity. Mineral bulk accounted for approximately 16% of cargo tonnage, followed by agricultural bulk at 6% and general cargo at 4%.

The figures illustrate how Manzanillo’s activity extends beyond containers, even as containerized trade continues to dominate its operations.

Manzanillo Maintains Its Leading Position in Mexico

Manzanillo remains Mexico’s largest container port, handling approximately 45% of the country’s maritime container traffic, according to figures reported by the port’s terminal and operator association.

The latest results follow a strong start to 2026. Between January and July, the port recorded growth of 11.7%, compared with 4% across the Mexican port system, according to ASIPONA.

Traffic growth is taking place alongside improvements in the port’s vessel-handling capabilities. As Manzanillo is preparing for 24,000-TEU vessels, Contecon Manzanillo received authorization in August to accommodate larger ships, with an approved operating draft of 15.5 meters.

While the latest throughput figures do not establish a direct link between these infrastructure developments and traffic growth, they place the port’s capacity expansion within a period of rising operational activity.

With more than 2.8 million TEUs handled in eight months, Manzanillo’s performance in 2026 reinforces its central role in Mexico’s containerized trade. The evolution of export volumes, vessel calls and terminal capacity will remain important indicators as the port approaches the end of the year.

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Sources: ASIPONA Manzanillo, 2026 Monthly Port Statistics