Quayside expansion readies Altamira port for more container ships 

Mexico’s Port of Altamira will be able to handle ultra-large container ships and more frequent ship dockings after completing a new quayside at its main terminal.

Altamira Terminal Portuaria (ATP) has expanded its docking area for container ships, roro and bulk carriers as part of a five-year development strategy at the port on the northwest side of the Gulf of Campeche.

ATP has added 350 m of new quayside to the existing 600-m waterfront, which the terminal owner says increases operational capacity by 30%.

Next for the expansion project will be installing cranes, ship loading/unloading machinery and associated container transport units.

Port of Altamira is one of Mexico’s main multimodal logistics hubs, and ATP’s investment strengthens its leading position for container ship dockings in the nation.

With new capacity comes increased opportunities for more container ships and roro vessels to visit this port, which is 15 nautical miles from Tampico.

This would infer an increased need for tugboats, including some with bollard pulls of over 70 tonnes and escort capabilities, to assist, manoeuvre and dock these ships.

ATP led the quayside expansion project with CIMESA as the main contractor responsible for the construction works.

ShibataFenderTeam provided site-specific fender engineering, component design and equipment for fendering on the new container ship berth.

Port of Altamira also has terminals for petroleum fluids, bulk ore and grain and vehicles.

ATP’s vessel itinerary shows the port expects two or three container ship and roro vessel visits per day in January 2026.