Mexican Port Handles First Carbon-Neutral Container & LNG-Powered Ship

Contecon Manzanillo, a Mexican company under International Container Terminal Services, has achieved a milestone in the decarbonization of ports in North America by handling the first carbon-neutral container and welcoming the first liquid natural gas (LNG)-powered container ship. The CEO of Contecon Manzanillo, José Antonio Contreras, described the day as setting a precedent and being the start of a new way to transport millions of Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (Teus). The company became the first port terminal in North America to be awarded UNE-14064-3:2019 Carbon Neutral certification in 2022, demonstrating its commitment to the fight against climate change.

The CMA CGM Liberty, an LNG-powered vessel with a capacity of 14,806 Teus, showed a tremendous decrease in sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter (PM10) emissions. The ship’s arrival at the Port of Manzanillo in Mexico demonstrated how advanced this technology is and how it eliminates a significant percentage of pollutant emissions. Javier Moreira, the General Director of CMA CGM Mexico, said that they are the first to rotate regularly vessels like this in Mexico, with the Port of Manzanillo being the primary entry point.

Contecon Manzanillo is investing more than $230 million to expand the terminal, including constructing a new dock and infrastructure that will increase the capacity of the terminal from 1.5 million to 2.2 million Teus within two years. This expansion will make the company more capable of handling container volumes from the Pacific and Atlantic oceans passing through Mexico.

In conclusion, the milestone achieved by Contecon Manzanillo demonstrates the growing awareness and commitment of companies to reduce emissions and protect the environment. The investment in expanding the terminal and the adoption of advanced technology in sustainable maritime transport proves that companies can make a significant difference in contributing positively to the society and the environment.

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