𝗣𝗨𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗢 𝗗𝗘𝗟 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦 𝗔𝗨𝗚𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝟮 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗢𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗖𝗢'𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘

                                                      

MATAMOROS, Tamaulipas — After two decades of planning and construction, Puerto del Norte, also known as the T-MEC Terminal, officially began operations on August 2 with a ceremony led by Governor Américo Villarreal Anaya and attended by federal and local authorities, business leaders, and naval representatives. The inauguration marked a significant milestone in northeastern Mexico’s effort to strengthen its role in global trade, positioning the region as a key logistics corridor for the country’s industrial heartland.

Jim Barton, Editor

The port, said to be located in the city of Matamoros, but actually 50.4 miles from the city's center, represents an investment exceeding eight billion pesos, with funding from both public and private sources. The first phase of operations, referred to as “Phase Zero,” will focus on handling automobiles, steel, and both mineral and agricultural bulk cargo. This initial rollout is expected to immediately improve trade flow and reduce shipping costs for states like Nuevo León, Coahuila, and San Luis Potosí by connecting them more directly to international maritime routes.

Governor Villarreal described the opening as a historic moment for Tamaulipas, underscoring the state’s transformation into a new maritime frontier with direct links to Mexico’s highway and railway systems, as well as to the 18 international crossings with Texas. He emphasized that the port’s design, which includes deep-draft dredging and modern customs infrastructure, is tailored to handle large-capacity vessels and ensure agile, secure, and competitive operations. “This is a date that will be recorded in the calendar of historical events of the state,” he said, “as it marks the beginning of a new future for the promotion and development of this region.”

Matamoros Mayor Beto Granados echoed that sentiment, highlighting the port’s strategic location within the northeastern industrial corridor, which stretches from Monterrey to San Luis Potosí. He announced a projected additional investment of more than four billion pesos aimed at expanding the terminal and establishing it as a driver of foreign trade, energy, and industrial development. Calling on business leaders to support the initiative, he said, “Today we have a great port, and we must occupy it. We need to work together and establish alliances with the business sector.”

The ceremony drew prominent figures from Mexico’s maritime and business communities, including Admiral José Barradas Cobos, Undersecretary of the Merchant Marine; José Miguel Bejos, Chairman of Mota Engil México; Javier García Bejos, Director of Special Projects for Latin America at Mota Engil; and Captain Manuel Fernando Gutiérrez Gallardo, General Coordinator of Ports and Merchant Marine. Also in attendance were Rear Admiral Víctor Manuel Salas Hernández, Director of the Matamoros Naval Sector; Gustavo Guzmán Fernández, Director General of Comprehensive Administration-Tamaulipas; members of Congress, port personnel, and residents of the neighboring communities of Higuerillas and El Mezquita.

Governor Villarreal praised the role of President Claudia Sheinbaum and Navy Secretary Raymundo Pedro Morales in advancing the port’s development, and thanked the private sector partners who helped bring the vision to life. The first vessel to dock at the port will be the NFE Frontier, signaling the start of formal logistics and shipping operations. The port administration also announced plans to hire local residents for upcoming operational roles, reinforcing the port’s long-term commitment to economic development in the region.

“This port is not just for Matamoros or Tamaulipas,” Mayor Granados said, “but for all of northeastern Mexico and even Texas. It’s a new gateway for trade, built on vision, unity, and the promise of shared prosperity.”