Contecon Manzanillo, the Mexican terminal managed by Philippines-based port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), has broadened its global shipping network through the launch of Mediterranean Shipping Company’s (MSC) new Sierra service. The new route reinforces maritime connections between Asia and Mexico, centered on the Port of Manzanillo.
This maiden voyage marks MSC’s second dedicated direct route linking the Far East and Mexico, giving local and international traders more sailing choices and greater supply chain flexibility amid steadily rising trade activity between the two regions. The weekly service connects major Northeast Asian ports including Qingdao, Tianjin and Busan with Mexican ports Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas before looping back to Qingdao, creating smoother access to key manufacturing and export hubs across Asia.
Importers, exporters and logistics providers stand to gain from more consistent departure schedules and increased space for containerized goods moving between Asia and Mexico. “The arrival of this service reflects our commitment to strengthening the terminal’s operational capabilities and creating the conditions for greater connectivity,” said José Antonio Contreras, chief executive officer of Contecon Manzanillo. “Our objective is to strengthen Manzanillo’s position as a preferred gateway for global shipping lines and international trade, as well as provide our customers with more efficient and reliable access to key markets,” he added.
The launch of the Sierra service coincides with ongoing work on the fourth phase of Contecon Manzanillo’s terminal expansion project, an investment designed to raise capacity at Mexico’s busiest container port. Once completed, the upgrade will allow the facility to accommodate larger vessels, speed up cargo handling processes, and support growing trade volumes passing through the area.
Official data from Mexico’s Administración del Sistema Portuario Nacional (ASIPONA) shows the Port of Manzanillo processed over 1.7 million twenty-foot equivalent units between January and May 2026, confirming its standing as the country’s leading logistics hub and primary entry point for containerized cargo. The introduction of the new Sierra service further solidifies Contecon Manzanillo’s role in driving Mexico’s foreign trade growth by expanding reliable shipping links between Asia and the nation’s Pacific coast.
