UN/LOCODE: MXATM📍 Mexico

Port of Altamira (UN/LOCODE MXATM)

❖ Coordinates: 22.4000°N, -97.9200°E

❖ Time Zone: America/Mexico_City

❖ UN/LOCODE: MXATM

## About the Port The Port of Altamira, designated by UN/LOCODE MXATM, is a pivotal deep-water seaport situated on the Gulf of Mexico in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Located at coordinates 22.4 Latitude and -97.92 Longitude, within the America/Mexico_City timezone, Altamira serves as a critical nexus for Mexico's international trade, particularly linking the country's robust industrial heartland with global markets. Established as a modern, purpose-built facility, it stands as one of Mexico's most important industrial and commercial maritime gateways. Its strategic location offers direct access to major shipping lanes, facilitating efficient connections with ports across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Altamira's distinct advantage lies in its expansive industrial corridor, which hosts a significant concentration of petrochemical, chemical, and manufacturing industries, making the port a highly specialized hub for diverse cargo types, from sophisticated manufactured goods to raw materials and refined products. ## History The genesis of the Port of Altamira dates back to the early 1970s, conceived as a strategic national project to decentralize port operations and alleviate growing congestion at existing Mexican ports, particularly nearby Tampico. The Mexican government, recognizing the need for a modern, deep-water port capable of handling larger vessels and specialized industrial cargo, initiated the construction of Altamira on an undeveloped coastal strip. Unlike older, naturally formed ports, Altamira was meticulously planned and engineered as an artificial port, designed from the outset with extensive industrial zones. Significant development phases commenced in the 1980s, driven by a vision to establish a major petrochemical and manufacturing complex alongside a world-class port. The establishment of the Administración Portuaria Integral de Altamira (API Altamira), now known as ASIPONA Altamira, under the port decentralization reforms of the 1990s, marked a pivotal moment, enabling agile, commercially focused management and significant private sector investment. This collaborative framework has been instrumental in Altamira's continuous expansion and modernization, transforming it into a cornerstone of Mexico's economic infrastructure. ## Infrastructure & Facilities The Port of Altamira boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure designed to accommodate a diverse range of maritime operations and cargo types. Its navigable access channel maintains depths typically ranging from 14.0 to 14.5 meters (46-47.5 feet), allowing for the entry of deep-draft vessels, including Post-Panamax container ships. The port complex encompasses multiple specialized terminals: ### Container Terminals Altamira features several highly efficient container terminals operated by global leaders such as Hutchison Ports and APM Terminals. These facilities are equipped with modern Super Post-Panamax gantry cranes, extensive reefer plugs, and sophisticated yard management systems, supporting annual capacities exceeding 1.5 million TEUs. These terminals are crucial for handling a wide array of manufactured goods, automotive components, and consumer products. ### Bulk Cargo Terminals Dedicated terminals cater to both dry and liquid bulk cargo. Dry bulk facilities handle significant volumes of grains (corn, soybean), minerals (fluorite, feldspar), fertilizers, coal, and petroleum coke, utilizing specialized conveyors, hoppers, and warehousing. Liquid bulk terminals are exceptionally robust, processing a vast array of petrochemicals (ethylene, propylene, styrene, PVC, methanol), refined petroleum products, and other chemicals for the adjacent industrial cluster. ### General Cargo & Multipurpose Terminals These terminals are equipped to handle diverse project cargo, heavy lifts, steel products, wind turbine components, and roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) cargo, supported by ample open storage areas and heavy-duty lifting equipment. ### Intermodal Connectivity Altamira offers robust intermodal connections. Two major railway lines, operated by Kansas City Southern de México (KCSM) and Ferromex, directly serve the port, providing seamless rail links to key industrial centers and consumption markets throughout Mexico and into the United States. A well-developed network of highways further ensures efficient truck distribution for regional and national supply chains. Furthermore, the port is integrated with an expansive industrial park that houses over 30 companies, primarily in the chemical and petrochemical sectors, creating a synergistic environment between port operations and industrial production. For detailed port specifications and services, refer to the official ASIPONA Altamira website. ## Economic Importance The Port of Altamira is an indispensable pillar of the Mexican economy, serving as a vital engine for regional and national development. Its strategic role extends beyond mere cargo handling; it is a catalyst for industrial investment and job creation. The port’s direct adjacency to one of Mexico’s largest petrochemical and industrial corridors makes it unique. This synergy attracts significant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into manufacturing, chemical processing, and logistics sectors within the Tamaulipas region, generating thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities. Altamira consistently ranks among Mexico's top ports by cargo volume, contributing substantially to the nation's GDP through international trade. It is a critical gateway for the import of raw materials essential for Mexican industries and the export of finished goods, particularly from the automotive, plastics, and chemical sectors. Its operational efficiency, deep-water capabilities, and comprehensive intermodal connections enhance Mexico's competitiveness in global supply chains, reducing transit times and logistics costs for businesses operating throughout North America. The port's continuous modernization and expansion plans underscore its long-term commitment to supporting Mexico's economic growth and integration into the global maritime trade network. For broader insights into Mexico's maritime trade, the Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SICT) provides valuable statistics. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo The Port of Altamira serves a comprehensive network of international trade routes, solidifying its position as a major player in global maritime commerce. Its primary connections extend across the Gulf of Mexico, with frequent services to major U.S. ports such as Houston, New Orleans, and Mobile, facilitating crucial North American trade. Beyond this, Altamira maintains robust links with European ports, particularly those in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, and increasingly with Asian markets via the Panama Canal. Connections to Central and South America further diversify its global reach. ### Major Cargo Handled: * **Containers:** Constitute a significant portion of Altamira's throughput. These typically include manufactured goods, automotive components, machinery, electronics, apparel, and consumer goods destined for Mexico's domestic market or for further processing within the country's industrial hubs. Exports often comprise finished vehicles, auto parts, and high-value manufactured products. * **Liquid Bulk:** This category is particularly dominant due to Altamira's integrated petrochemical cluster. The port handles massive volumes of chemicals (e.g., ethylene, propylene, styrene monomer, PVC), methanol, ammonia, and refined petroleum products. These are crucial inputs for the plastics, automotive, and agricultural industries, as well as energy sector exports. * **Dry Bulk:** Imports include substantial quantities of grains (corn, soybeans) for human and animal consumption, as well as fertilizers for agriculture. Exports primarily consist of minerals (such as fluorspar), petroleum coke, and other industrial raw materials. * **General Cargo & Project Cargo:** The port is adept at handling steel products (slabs, coils, plates), structural components, and oversized/heavy-lift project cargo, including equipment for renewable energy projects (e.g., wind turbine blades and nacelles), and machinery for industrial expansion. The diverse cargo profile reflects Altamira's critical role in supporting Mexico's industrial manufacturing base, energy sector, and agricultural supply chains, making it a cornerstone of the nation's foreign trade strategy.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

MXATM

Country

Mexico

Province / Region

Tamaulipas

Latitude

22.400000

Longitude

-97.920000

Timezone

America/Mexico_City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Altamira?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Altamira is MXATM.

Where is Port of Altamira located?

The Port of Altamira is located in Mexico, Tamaulipas. Its coordinates are 22.4000°N, -97.9200°E.

What time zone is Port of Altamira in?

Port of Altamira operates in the America/Mexico_City time zone.

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About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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