The Collapse of the Port of Manzanillo: A Crisis That Shakes Mexico's Logistics Chain

Logistics in Mexico faces one of its toughest tests in years. The Port of Manzanillo, the main entry and exit point for merchandise on the Pacific coast, is going through an unprecedented crisis that already exceeds three weeks. What began as a labor strike has become a true operational collapse that paralyzes a fundamental part of the country's logistics chain, directly affecting international commerce, national industry and the stability of thousands of companies. What is happening at the Port of Manzanillo? On May 12, 2025, customs workers initiated a strike that lasted until May 16. Their demands were not new: unjustified layoffs, work overload, lack of personnel and inadequate working conditions. Although the strike was lifted, the effects were devastating. During those five days, containers began to accumulate uncontrollably in port yards, generating an operational bottleneck that still remains unresolved. Currently, the average time for reviewing a unit exceeds 72 hours. This means that each truck, each container that arrives at the port, spends entire days waiting to be released. The result: an almost total paralysis of logistics operations at one of Latin America's most important ports. More than a strike: structural failures and corruption Although the strike was the immediate trigger, the truth is that the problem goes much further. What has been exposed is a chain of structural failures that can no longer be ignored: lack of infrastructure, inefficient processes, scarce digitalization, and alleged corruption practices that further complicate commercial flow. Various sector sources have denounced that there are duplicate procedures, arbitrary reviews and a clear lack of coordination between port, customs and logistics operator authorities. These bottlenecks not only delay operations, but also generate enormous cost overruns that affect the entire logistics chain. Economic impact: millions of dollars and hundreds of affected companies According to estimates by the Association of Maquiladora and Export Manufacturing Industries (Index Occidente), economic losses already exceed $150 million. The National Chamber of Cargo Transportation (Canacar) has warned that many companies are on the verge of collapse, especially those that depend on foreign trade to maintain their production and supply. Miguel Ángel Martínez Millán, Canacar president, has not hesitated to describe the situation as a systemic threat to the national economy. "Mexico cannot allow its most strategic port to operate in collapse conditions," he recently declared. Manzanillo is not just any port. It is the main logistics node of the Mexican Pacific and one of the busiest in Latin America. It moves more than 40% of the country's containerized cargo and connects with key markets like Asia, South America and the United States. Its paralysis affects not only Colima, but also Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato and other industrial states that depend on the constant flow of inputs and merchandise. The logistics chain in crisis: cascading effects The domino effect is already underway. Merchandise that cannot be moved from Manzanillo is generating input shortages in manufacturing plants, delays in deliveries to international customers, and congestion on roads surrounding the port. Transport companies, logistics operators, importers and exporters are seeing how their delivery times skyrocket and their costs multiply. The logistics chain, which was already under pressure from high fuel costs, global inflation and geopolitical tensions, finds itself today in one of its most fragile moments. What does the government say? President Claudia Sheinbaum has recognized the gravity of the situation and has called for finding a balance between fiscal control and logistics efficiency. In her words, customs continue to be one of the system's weakest points and it is urgent to eradicate practices that are slowing commerce. However, no concrete solution has been announced so far. Canacar and other sector organizations have requested an urgent crisis table between the federal government, customs authorities, port operators and private sector representatives. It's not about looking for culprits, but acting immediately to prevent the situation from prolonging further. What solutions does the Mexican logistics system need? This collapse must be a wake-up call for everyone. The Port of Manzanillo cannot continue operating with 20-year-old models. A deep reengineering in port management is needed, including: Urgent investments in physical and digital infrastructure. Personnel professionalization and real labor improvements. Transparency in review and dispatch processes. Interinstitutional coordination and elimination of unnecessary bureaucracy. A long-term vision that integrates all logistics chain actors. The resilience of the Mexican logistics system is at stake. And although this crisis is causing millionaire losses today, it also represents an opportunity to rethink how we want commerce to function in our country during the coming years. Rebuilding trust in national logistics The collapse of the Port of Manzanillo not only puts logistics operators in check, but also Mexico's image as a competitive and reliable country for global commerce. If we want to strengthen our position as a strategic hub in Latin America, we need to act with decision, transparency and vision. The Mexican logistics chain deserves more than temporary solutions. It deserves an integral redesign that places efficiency, labor justice and technological innovation at the center. The future of foreign trade in Mexico depends on it.