Port of Progreso and fast logistics

1. From Ocean Edge to Warehouse: The Efficiency of the Strategic “Last Mile”

Nearshoring is a strategy born with the imperative to drastically shorten the supply chain. For companies operating with large volumes of goods destined for export to the U.S. East Coast, the Gulf of the United States, and Canada, maritime logistics and the terrestrial efficiency of the last mile are the true differentiating factors. It’s not enough to be in Mexico, it is necessary to be at the most high-performing logistical point.

For operations management, optimizing the total cost of ownership (TCO) is crucial. This is achieved not only by reducing labor costs but also by minimizing hidden costs related to long transit times, high insurance premiums, customs delays, and the need to maintain large safety stocks.

The Port of Progreso, in Yucatán, positions itself as the fastest, safest, and most convenient solution on the Mexican Gulf coast, guaranteeing privileged access to the Atlantic and providing the optimal operating base for customs compliance and accelerated time-to-market.

The Unbeatable Comparison: Progreso vs. Trans-Pacific Routes

Progreso’s geographical advantage is unbeatable. Its location on the Gulf coast eliminates the crossing of the Panama Canal and significantly reduces sailing times compared to ports on the Pacific coast and even compared to Atlantic ports in Northern Mexico.

The ability to deliver in just 2-7 days to key economic hubs on the East Coast and the Gulf revolutionizes inventory management. This not only enables more aggressive Just-In-Time (JIT) production strategies but drastically reduces the need for large safety stocks (immobilized capital), a cost factor that critically impacts the Total Cost of Ownership and corporate liquidity. The lower exposure to maritime disruption risks also translates into lower insurance premiums.

2. Yucatán’s Triangular Geographical Advantage: Land, Sea, Air

Yucatán’s location is a true triangular logistical ecosystem that harmoniously combines port, internal infrastructure, and capital, reducing operational friction.

Optimal proximity to Mérida (30 km): the Port of Progreso is located just 30 km from Mérida, the capital of Yucatán. This proximity is not accidental: it guarantees a quick connection to the main road arteries, modern highways, and the region’s airports. Resident companies, particularly those at Central Business Park, benefit from reduced internal transport times and costs and a mitigation of the risks of congestion and delays typical of the larger, more chaotic metropolitan areas of Mexico. This is the heart of “last mile” efficiency.

Immediate international air access: the port is strategically complemented by Mérida International Airport. The latter offers direct and frequent connections to crucial logistical hubs in the United States such as Houston, Miami, and Dallas. This duality creates a unique air-maritime (multimodal) logistical advantage for the rapid movement of high-value goods, samples, or urgent spare parts, ensuring operational continuity even in the event of interruptions.

Better supply chain management with stability: the proximity and interconnection between the industrial zone (CBPark), the capital with its talent pool (Mérida), and the port (Progreso) consolidate a supply chain that is not only efficient but also supported by operational stability and security, a factor that is unparalleled in Mexico and reduces the risks of theft and disruptions.

3. Evolving Infrastructure: Preparation for Post-Panamax Vessels and Beyond

The growth of nearshoring in Yucatán is supported by an aggressive and forward-thinking development plan, with massive public and private investment in Progreso’s infrastructure to ensure the port is “future-proof”:

Deepening of the channel and dock: critical dredging work is underway to increase the depth of the navigation channel and the dock. This is fundamental and will allow the docking of Post-Panamax class vessels (the largest container ships in circulation). This strategic move will drastically increase the port’s loading/unloading capacity and operational efficiency, making it globally competitive.

Increased handling capacity: parallel to the deepening, the expansion aims to double container handling capacity, ensuring that the infrastructure is ready to absorb the enormous future demand generated by large industrial investments attracted by nearshoring.

Integrated terrestrial interconnection: the port infrastructure is closely connected to modern highways linking Mérida with key centers like Cancún and Campeche. Added to this is the impact of the Tren Maya (Maya Train), which is destined to further improve internal logistical connectivity, offering competitive rail multimodal options for high volumes and long distances.

4. Direct Operational Benefits of Progreso-Centric Logistics

A well-positioned and expanding port like Progreso translates into tangible advantages that directly benefit the operating budget and competitiveness:

Reduced delivery times (reliable just-in-time): goods reach final customers in the United States and Canada more quickly, improving customer satisfaction, service reliability, and general competitiveness in the North American market. The ability to react quickly to market fluctuations is a huge advantage.

Lower transport costs and risks: the proximity between Central Business Park and the port reduces internal transport expenses and risks associated with long road journeys. Fewer days of maritime transit also translate into lower warehousing costs and lower insurance premiums.

Operational flexibility and agility: the Port of Progreso is managed to offer greater flexibility in handling cargo of different natures and sizes—from standard containers to special goods—with greater agility and fewer bureaucratic and operational constraints.

Support for maritime and commercial expansion: the ease of access to international trade routes is not limited to the US East Coast but also encompasses the Gulf, the Caribbean, and potentially Europe. This favors market expansion without the typical logistical bottlenecks present in other Mexican regions.

5. Central Business Park: Leveraging Speed with Dedicated Infrastructure and Services

Choosing Central Business Park means transforming the geographical advantage of the Port of Progreso into a daily operational advantage. Central Business Park was designed to act as an efficient logistical extension of the port:

Strategic operational proximity: Central Business Park is positioned to minimize terrestrial transport. This reduces loading/unloading times, the need for labor for internal handling, and maximizes the efficiency of JIT flows, a key advantage compared to other industrial areas located further inland or further from main ports.

Integrated import-export infrastructure and services: The park’s facilities are meticulously designed for maximum integration with customs and international logistics operations:

• Modern and modular warehouses: spaces suitable for temporary storage, inspection, and preparation of goods pending export, with possibilities for rental (Naves) or custom construction (Build-to-Suit).
  
• Fast and secure loading/unloading bays: dedicated infrastructure with wide paved roads and separate routes to facilitate the rapid and secure exit and entry of cargo, optimizing truck flows and avoiding congestion.
  
• On-site customs and compliance services: access to specialized support in document management for customs operations and compliance with commercial agreements like USMCA. This integrated service ensures that cargo is ready for export to the United States and Canada without bureaucratic delays or costly penalties.

This unique combination of an unbeatable geographical position, an expanding port, and Central Business Park’s dedicated infrastructure makes Yucatán the smartest and safest choice for companies that want to transform nearshoring from a theoretical opportunity into a concrete and sustainable operational logistical advantage.

➡️ Contact the Central Business Park’s team today to analyze your specific logistical plan: https://cbpmx.com/en/contact-us-discuss-your-industrial-investment/