Mexico assesses port readiness for alternative marine fuels

Mexico has strong infrastructure, industrial capacity and renewable-energy potential to support the production and supply of low- and zero-emission marine fuels, according to preliminary findings from an on-going national assessment. 

Led by the Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR), with technical assistance from IMO’s GreenVoyage2050 Programme and Haskoning, the on-going assessment is helping Mexico understand future demand for alternative marine fuels, identify infrastructure requirements, and assess the policy and investment conditions needed for the maritime energy transition. Its findings will feed into the development of Mexico’s Maritime Alternative Fuels Roadmap.  

The work builds on an initial national stakeholder workshop held in Mexico City in May 2025 which identified key priorities and opportunities for maritime decarbonization. 

As part of the assessment, SEMAR and GreenVoyage2050 convened a national stakeholder workshop in Mexico City, followed by technical visits to the ports of Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Manzanillo and Veracruz from 10 to 15 August 2026. Supported by the National Port System Administrations, the activities brought together representatives from government, industry and academia, as well as other stakeholders, to examine potential fuel supply and demand, port readiness, renewable-energy opportunities, regulatory conditions and prospects for pilot projects. 

Preliminary findings suggest that Mexico’s modern port infrastructure, available land, liquid-bulk handling facilities, industrial clusters and established logistics networks could provide a solid foundation for alternative-fuel value chains. The country also has considerable renewable-energy resources and potential biofuel feedstocks; realizing this potential will require better use of existing renewable-energy capacity, investment in new renewable-energy and green-hydrogen projects, improvements to grid readiness, and clear regulatory and investment frameworks. 

During the workshop, stakeholders identified accession to MARPOL Annex VI as a key enabling step and highlighted the need to address permitting, taxation and investment conditions to strengthen the competitiveness of Mexico’s marine-fuel services. They also emphasized the importance of capacity-building, workforce training and cross-sectoral collaboration to ensure that the transition benefits port communities and the national workforce. 

The workshop and site visits also highlighted the complementary roles Mexico’s ports could play. Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas and Veracruz are major gateways for containerized cargo and international trade, while Altamira and Coatzacoalcos have strong industrial and energy-port functions. 

Particular attention was given to the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, which connects the port of Coatzacoalcos with Mexico’s Pacific coast. Combined with the country’s industrial base and renewable-energy resources, this strategic link could support the future production, storage, transport and bunkering of alternative fuels. 

The next step will be a technical visit to the port of Lázaro Cárdenas, completing the in-person field visits of the assessment. Findings from the stakeholder workshop and port visits will then be consolidated and incorporated into Mexico’s Maritime Alternative Fuels Roadmap.