Contecon Manzanillo handles first carbon-neutral container in North America

Contecon Manzanillo S.A. de C.V. (CMSA), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) Mexican business unit operating the Specialized Container Terminal 2 at the Port of Manzanillo, recorded another milestone with its recent handling of the first carbon-neutral container in North America, and the CMA CGM Liberty – the first liquified natural gas (LNG)-powered container vessel to arrive in Mexico.

The milestone was celebrated in a ceremony attended by representatives of the government, CMA CGM Mexico, Walmart de Mexico and Central America, Administrations of the National Port System Manzanillo, Manzanillo port, along with other stakeholders.

“It is a great day for us since today we have established not one but two precedents for port decarbonization in Mexico and in the north of the continent: the handling of the first carbon-neutral container in North America and the arrival of the first container ship powered by LNG. This makes us pioneers at the beginning of a new way of mobilizing TEUs. We are happy because we have been lucky enough to work with companies with a really important environmental responsibility,” said José Antonio Contreras, Contecon Manzanillo chief executive officer.

“Contecon Manzanillo was recognized in 2022 as the first port terminal in North America to receive the UNE-14064-3:2019 Carbon Neutral certification. This demonstrates our commitment to the fight against climate change,” added Mr. Contreras.

The arrival of the 14,806-TEU CMA CGM Liberty­ represents a key step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable maritime transport in Mexico. The vessel’s LNG-powered propulsion represents numerous environmental benefits, achieving a 99 percent reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions, a 92 percent decrease in nitrogen oxide emissions, and a 91 percent reduction of particulate matter (PM10) in emissions.

“This technology is the most advanced in sustainable maritime transport since it eliminates polluting emissions in a high percentage. We are the first to rotate ships of this type on a regular basis in Mexico, with the Port of Manzanillo as the first point of arrival,” explained Javier Moreira, CMA CGM Mexico general director.

Contecon Manzanillo Chief Executive Officer José Antonio Contreras (far right) presents a welcome token to Capt. Alexandru Crainicov (center), CMA CGM Liberty vessel master. They are joined by Javier Moreira, CMA CGM Mexico's general director.

Aside from Contecon, Walmart de Mexico also received its carbon-neutral certification. Claudia de la Vega, Walmart de México and Central America director for corporate affairs said: “This event is fundamental for the company since a significant volume of our imports that enter the Port of Manzanillo arrive at the Contecon terminal. We are very proud to collaborate with CMA CGM, because, at Walmart, we have the ambition to be a zero-emissions company, placing humanity and the planet at the center of our business practices. We celebrate this important milestone for sustainability in our country.”

Diana Elena Portilla, Maritime Port Strategic Planning of the Ministry of the Navy executive director, also recognized Contecon Manzanillo’s efforts to balance greenhouse gas emissions with reduction and compensation practices.

Contecon Manzanillo is investing more than USD230 million to expand the terminal. This includes the construction of a new dock and infrastructure in the yard that will increase the terminal’s capacity from 1.5 million TEUs to more than 2.2 million within the next two years.

Investment in infrastructure and the adoption of cleaner technologies represent fundamental actions on the agenda of the port industry, which aims to achieve more sustainable logistics. Through this, Contecon Manzanillo endorses its leadership position to revolutionize environmental social responsibility in Mexico and North America.