Basic Knowledge of Mexico Shipping Routes

Publish Time: 2025-09-29 Origin: Site

In emerging markets, Mexico’s e-commerce sector has seen explosive growth in recent years, reaching a scale of $43.1 billion in 2024, with Temu, Mercado Libre, Amazon, and AliExpress dominating the market. Mexico boasts a 11,000-kilometer coastline, and its major ports—including Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas—serve as crucial gateways to the North American market. Bilateral trade between China and Mexico hit $120 billion in 2024 (+8.5%), with China being Mexico’s second-largest import source, mainly exporting plastic products, toys, and electronic goods.

Today, we will introduce direct maritime shipping routes between China and Mexico, with a brief overview of key ports and routes:

I. Key Ports of Mexico

The most frequently mentioned ports in cross-border e-commerce are Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas.

1. Port of Manzanillo (Port Code: MXMAN)

As Mexico’s largest trading port and one of its top three ports, Manzanillo is located on the west coast, adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. Its geographical location makes it a hub for trans-Pacific trade. The port handles millions of tons of cargo annually, including various commodities and chemicals. It features 11 docks and locks, capable of accommodating ships of all sizes.

Features: Large cargo throughput, relatively stable customs system, and strong government control—making it the most stable port in the long run. It operates in a standardized manner, though problem-solving can be more difficult when issues arise.
Infrastructure: Covers an area of 437 hectares, with 19 operational berths, including bulk cargo terminals, international container terminals, oil terminals, and passenger terminals.

2. Port of Lázaro Cárdenas (Port Code: MXLCS)

Situated on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Lázaro Cárdenas is one of the largest seaports in the region and a major port on Mexico’s maritime routes. It is only 620 kilometers from Mexico City and connected to Mexico’s main railway freight lines, boasting a well-developed transportation network.

Features: Relatively smaller scale, strong local gang influence, and weaker government control compared to Manzanillo. While issues may occur, there is more flexibility in problem-solving with a wider range of solutions.
Infrastructure:

Container Terminals: 6 deep-water berths equipped with 12 post-Panamax quay cranes, handling over 3 million TEUs annually and capable of accommodating 4 large container ships simultaneously.
Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) Terminals: 2 dedicated Ro-Ro berths, designed to handle 500,000 vehicles yearly with a fully automated vehicle scheduling system. It is a major terminal for Mexico’s auto exports (with dedicated logistics zones for Volkswagen, General Motors, etc.).

II. Direct China-Mexico Maritime Routes

1. Routes TLP8 (OOCL) & WSA8 (COSCO)

Hub Ports: Centered on Shanghai and Ningbo.
Direct Destinations: Key Mexican ports of Ensenada and Manzanillo.
Service: Provides weekly, high-frequency container shipping with low transit time fluctuations for trade between China, Mexico, and the Pacific Rim.
Carriers: COSCO, OOCL.
Port Call Sequence: Shanghai → Qingdao → Ensenada → Manzanillo → Yokohama → Shanghai.
Transit Time: 21 days.

2. M2X – Mexico Express

Carrier: CMA.
Port Call Sequence: Shekou → Ningbo → Shanghai → Tianjin → Qingdao → Busan → Manzanillo → Lázaro Cárdenas.
Transit Time: 32 days (Shekou to Manzanillo).

3. MEX Route

Carrier: T.S. LINES.
Port Call Sequence: Shanghai → Qingdao → Busan → Manzanillo.
Transit Time: 25 days (Shanghai to Manzanillo).

4. WSA2 Route

Carrier: EMC.
Port Call Sequence: Shekou → Hong Kong → Ningbo → Shanghai → Manzanillo.
Transit Time: 25 days (Shekou to Manzanillo).

Note: The above transit times for Mexico maritime routes are for reference only; actual transit times shall prevail.