SSA Marine México plans to invest 197 million pesos to build a new vehicle storage facility at the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas, primarily for storing and servicing imported cars from Asia. This port is a key entry point for Chinese cars into the Mexican market, and the new facility will enhance the port's transportation and operational efficiency.
EqualOcean has learned that SSA Marine México, a Mexican marine company, has decided to invest 197 million pesos in constructing a new vehicle storage facility at Lázaro Cárdenas Port. The project includes both the construction and operation of the facility, which will be part of the specialized automotive terminal operations at the port.
The continuous influx of cars from Asia into the Mexican market has inspired the idea of expanding automotive storage facilities at major ports. Among these, Lázaro Cárdenas Port in Michoacán stands out as the primary import port for Chinese automakers introducing electric and hybrid vehicles to the Mexican market.
According to statistics from the Mexican Navy Ministry (Semar), more than 130,000 vehicles from Chinese, Japanese, and Korean manufacturers were imported through Lázaro Cárdenas Port between January and April 2024. For every ten vehicles arriving from Asia, five enter the Mexican market through this port.
Lázaro Cárdenas Port boasts a strategic geographical location with land infrastructure, including railways and docks connecting the Pacific Basin. It links to Morelia, Guadalajara, Mexico City, and even Kansas City via rail, which is part of the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement). The port also handles bulk goods, containerized cargo, and vehicles from places like Shanghai, Singapore, Los Angeles, and Panama.
The investment in Lázaro Cárdenas Port is expected to alleviate cargo congestion and enhance operational efficiency. A week ago, SSA Marine México's subsidiary, SSA Lázaro Cárdenas, submitted an environmental impact assessment report for the construction of the specialized automotive terminal at Lázaro Cárdenas Port to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).
Through a lease agreement with the Lázaro Cárdenas National Port System Administration, SSA Marine México acquired 10.76 hectares of land in the La Palma Island industrial park. This expansion will increase the transportation capacity of the automotive specialized terminal (TEA) operated by SSA in the region.
Once completed, the new vehicle storage facility will have the capacity to store and maintain over 5,000 vehicles in addition to the current functionalities of the automotive terminal. The facility will also offer car washing and detailing services.