Contecon Manzanillo Enhances Capacity With New Equipment

Contecon Manzanillo (CMSA), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) Mexican business unit and operator of the Second Specialized Container Terminal at the Port of Manzanillo, continues to enhance its operational capabilities with the acquisition of two quay cranes and four hybrid rubber tired gantry (RTG) cranes.

CMSA took delivery of the new equipment on May 11, further expanding its modern fleet. At 60 meters high, the quay cranes are the largest in the Americas. They enable agile and efficient operations on vessels up to 400 meters long with beams of more than 60 meters. The acquisition is part of the ongoing terminal expansion and supports CMSA’s goal of handling more than two million TEUs annually.

The cranes also mark a crucial step toward increasing Mexico’s global competitiveness and consolidating the Port of Manzanillo as a national leader in port operations. Once fully commissioned, the cranes will enable CMSA to simultaneously handle three ships with length overall of up to 400 meters each – effectively raising the standard of port operation in the region.

“By acquiring new port equipment and strengthening our infrastructure, we reaffirm our commitment to Mexican foreign trade and consolidate our position as one of the country’s leading logistics platforms,” explained José Antonio Contreras, CMSA chief executive officer.

Aside from the additional dock and yard equipment, CMSA’s expansion project also includes infrastructure upgrades that will enable the terminal to accommodate up to 24,000-TEU capacity megaships. The new berth, which will be completed in the coming months, is designed to handle vessels with drafts of -17 meters. This competitive and operational advantage will maximize the cargo capacity of ships crossing the Pacific from Asia. The Port of Manzanillo handles 70 percent of imports from Asia.

“Thanks to our strategic investments, we increased our operational capacity leading to 14 percent growth in 2024, moved 1.5 million TEUs, and contributed to the economic development of Manzanillo and Mexico,” added Contreras.

CMSA’s total investments from 2023 to 2026 will reach more than USD300 million. The Company will continue to allocate the needed resources to improve the terminal’s operation and ensure Mexican foreign trade access to the Pacific logistics routes, where shipping lines have increasingly deployed larger, deeper-draft vessels.

About Contecon Manzanillo SA de CV (CMSA)

In June 2010, ICTSI signed a 34-year concession for the development and operation of the Second Specialized Container Terminal (TEC-II) at the Port of Manzanillo in Mexico. ICTSI established a subsidiary, Contecon Manzanillo SA de CV to operate the Port of Manzanillo. Ideally located to serve the growing Asian trade, CMSA is Mexico's gateway to the Pacific coast and is close to major consumer markets, such as Mexico City and the country's largest industrial areas. (www.contecon.mx)

Maersk Reports Solid Results in Increasingly Volatile Environment

For the first quarter of 2025 A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S (Maersk) reports revenue growth of 7.8% to USD 13.3bn with EBIT increasing to USD 1.3bn from USD 177m a year ago. These results, while sequentially down as expected, represent a good start to the year and were driven by solid profitability in Ocean, operational improvements in Logistics & Services and higher volumes in Terminals. For the full year 2025, Maersk maintains its financial guidance despite the increased uncertainty leading to a more cautious container volume growth outlook.

“We delivered strong results compared to the same quarter last year, driven by momentum in our operational efficiency and a global economy in good shape for the first three months. With trade tensions flaring up and uncertainty on the rise, global supply chains are once again in the spotlight. We are happy to be able to put the full strength of our product offering at our customers’ disposal. From the most reliable Ocean network to one of the best lead logistics and customs support teams, we are pulling every lever to help them make the best decisions for their business. At the same time, we are doubling down on the work underway on automation and cost management to remain fit for what lies ahead. These efforts give us the confidence to deliver a result in line with our guidance communicated in February,” says Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk.

 

Ocean saw improved profitability compared to the same quarter last year due to higher rates and stable volumes with an EBIT of USD 743m while the sequential decrease was as anticipated. Utilisation remained high and costs were stable due to continued high focus on optimisation. The new East-West network, which was launched in February, is on track to deliver on the reliability ambition and cost efficiencies once fully phased in.

The EBIT margin in Logistics & Services improved compared to the first quarter of last year and reached 4.1% driven by multiple products and the continued focus on costs and productivity. Revenue from freight management services grew 18% compared to the same quarter last year driven by Project Logistics. Ongoing operational improvements in fulfilment services also contributed significantly.

 

Terminals continued its great performance driven by strong volume growth, higher revenue per move and increased storage revenue, while costs were under control through automation and increased capacity utilization. Return on invested capital (ROIC) increased to 14.5%.

Financial guidance

Maersk maintains its full-year 2025 guidance of underlying EBITDA of USD 6-9bn, underlying EBIT of USD 0-3bn and free cash flow of at least negative USD 3.0bn. The global container market volume growth has been revised to -1% to 4% given the increased macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. Maersk expects to grow in line with the market. The disruption in the Red Sea is expected to continue throughout the rest of the year.

Source: Official Press Release

Baltic Container Terminal Welcomes New MSC Service

Baltic Container Terminal (BCT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) operation in the Port of Gdynia, Poland, has been integrated into the rotation of Mediterranean Shipping Company’s (MSC) Britannia Ocean Service.

MSC’s new service made its inaugural call in BCT on April 9, marked by the arrival of the MSC Rose. It offers a direct deep-sea connection between Asia and Northern Europe, covering major commercial ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Vung Tau, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, and Liverpool.

 

“BCT’s inclusion in MSC’s new service strengthens the Port of Gdynia’s role as a deep-water port and highlights our terminal’s modern facilities. We expect the service to increase export transshipment volume and boost intermodal operations,” said Wojciech Szymulewicz, BCT chief executive officer.

 

“With the arrival of this new service, we embrace the opportunity to expand our role in international maritime trade and make the Port of Gdynia more globally competitive,” he added.

 

BCT moved a total of 8,200 TEUs during the call of the 364-meter-long MSC ROSE, which was followed by the call of the 366-meter-long MSC DARIA on April 17. The vessels have capacities of 15,500 TEUs and 15,264 TEUs, respectively. Receiving regular calls from these ultra large container vessels highlights BCT’s capability to handle the largest vessels in existence, underlining the terminal’s strategic importance in the Baltic Sea region.

 

About Baltic Container Terminal Ltd. (BCT)

In May 2003, ICTSI was awarded a 20-year concession by the Port Authority of Gydnia to develop, operate and manage the container terminal in Pomerania, Gydnia, Poland. ICTSI purchased Baltycki Terminal Kontenerowy Sp. z. o. o. (BCT), which had held the lease to the terminal. Poland’s window to the world, BCT is strategically located within pan-European transport corridors and railway routes, and with excellent road and on-dock rail connectivity to inland Europe. (www.bct.gydnia.pl)

 

About International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI)
Headquartered and established in 1988 in Manila, Philippines, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is in the business of port development, management and operations.  ICTSI’s portfolio of terminals and projects are located in developed and emerging market economies in the Asia Pacific, the Americas, and Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  Independent with no shipping or consignee-related interests, ICTSI works and transacts transparently with all stakeholders of the supply chain.  ICTSI continues to receive global acclaim for its public-private partnerships, which are focused on sustainable development, and supported by corporate social responsibility initiatives. (www.ictsi.com)