UN/LOCODE: MXCOA📍 Mexico
Port of Coatzacoalcos (UN/LOCODE MXCOA)
❖ Coordinates: 18.1300°N, -94.4000°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Mexico_City
❖ UN/LOCODE: MXCOA
## About the Port
Located at **18.13° N, 94.40° W** in the state of Veracruz, the Port of **Coatzacoalcos** (UN/LOCODE: **MXCOA**) is one of Mexico’s most strategically positioned deep‑water terminals on the Gulf of Mexico. It operates under the *America/Mexico_City* time zone and serves as a logistical hub for the petrochemical, containerized, and bulk‑cargo sectors of the southern Gulf coast. The port’s natural harbor, protected by a long, gently sloping river mouth, allows year‑round access for vessels with drafts up to **13.5 m (44 ft)**, making it compatible with Panamax and, increasingly, post‑Panamax ships.
Coatzacoalcos is administered by the **Administración Portuaria Integral de Coatzacoalcos (APIC)**, which oversees terminal operations, customs clearance, and the integration of multimodal connections (rail, road, and pipeline). The port’s geographic proximity—approximately **250 km** from the petroleum‑rich Isthmus of Tehuantepec and **420 km** from the **Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) Olmeca refinery**—positions it as a critical node in Mexico’s energy export chain.
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## History
Founded in the early 20th century as a modest riverine dock for local palm oil and agricultural products, Coatzacoalcos underwent rapid transformation after the discovery of substantial oil reserves in the **Isthmus of Tehuantepec** (1920s) and the subsequent construction of the **Petroleum Refinery No. 1** in the 1940s. The port’s modernization accelerated under Mexico’s **National Development Plan (1950‑1970)**, which called for the creation of a deep‑water terminal capable of handling the burgeoning offshore hydrocarbon traffic.
Key historical milestones include:
- **1952** – Opening of the first deep‑draft berth (12 m) to accommodate the first generation of tankers.
- **1975** – Completion of the **Coatzacoalcos–Olmeca pipeline**, linking the port directly to the Olmeca refinery and establishing a closed-loop crude‑oil supply chain.
- **1993** – Privatization of container handling services, leading to the introduction of **container cranes (30 t capacity)** and a dedicated container terminal.
- **2008** – Expansion of the **Mina Coatzacoalcos bulk terminal**, designed for iron ore, cement, and agricultural commodities.
- **2014** – Integration of the **Ferrocarril del Istmo**, a broad‑gauge rail corridor that provides a direct north‑south freight link to the United States and Central America.
These developments have entrenched Coatzacoalcos as an indispensable gateway for both domestic industrial output and international trade. Official data and updates can be accessed through the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE) registry [[UN/LOCODE MXCOA]](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/locode.htm).
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Terminals
| Terminal | Primary Cargo | Berths | Max. Draft | Key Equipment |
|----------|---------------|--------|------------|----------------|
| **Petrochemical Terminal** | Crude oil, refined fuels, petrochemicals | 4 | 13.5 m | 2 × 45 t ship‑to‑shore pumps, 3 × 30 t offshore loading arms |
| **Container Terminal** | TEU containers (import/export) | 2 | 12.5 m | 2 × quay cranes (30 t), 1 × mobile gantry crane, 12 h automated gate |
| **Bulk & General Cargo Terminal** | Grain, cement, steel, aggregates | 3 | 12 m | 2 × reach stackers (35 t), 3 × mobile cranes (25 t) |
| **Roll‑On/Roll‑Off (RoRo) Terminal** | Automobiles, heavy equipment | 1 | 11 m | 2 × side‑loaders, 1 km of dedicated parking lanes |
### Storage & Handling
- **Oil & Petrochemical Tanks:** 9 million bbl total capacity, including dedicated LPG and gasoline tanks with vapor recovery systems.
- **Warehousing:** 150,000 m² of covered storage, climate‑controlled sections for high‑value chemicals, and open‑yard space for bulk commodities.
- **Cold‑Storage:** 25,000 m³ of refrigerated containers to support perishable imports (e.g., seafood from the Gulf).
### Connectivity
- **Rail:** Dual‑track connection to the **Ferrocarril del Istmo** (standard gauge, 3 km s⁻¹ maximum speed) enables direct freight runs to the U.S. Midwest and the Panama Canal corridor.
- **Road:** Direct access to **Mexican Federal Highway 180** and **Highway 150**, facilitating truck traffic to the interior of Veracruz and the neighboring states of Oaxaca and Tabasco.
- **Pipeline:** A 250 km crude and products pipeline network interlinks the port with the **Olmeca** and **Tula** refineries, reducing reliance on rail for hazardous liquids.
The port’s **Customs and Border Protection (CBP)** facilities are fully digitized, adhering to the **Single Window** concept, which reduces clearance times for high‑value cargo to under 24 hours.
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## Economic Importance
Coatzacoalcos contributes roughly **2.5 %** of Mexico’s total maritime cargo volume, a figure that translates into an annual throughput of **≈ 30 million tonnes** and **≈ 1.2 million TEU**. Its economic impact is multidimensional:
1. **Energy Export Engine** – The petrochemical terminal handles more than **45 %** of the nation’s oil export volume, principally light sweet crude destined for the United States and Asian markets. Revenue from fuel export operations accounts for an estimated **US $3.2 billion** annually.
2. **Industrial Cluster Catalyst** – The port underpins a **US $7 billion** industrial zone that includes **Pemex**, **Alpek**, and **Braskem** petrochemical complexes. The proximity to the port reduces logistics costs by up to **15 %** compared with inland facilities.
3. **Employment & Tax Base** – Direct employment exceeds **9,500** workers, while indirect jobs in logistics, services, and ancillary manufacturing add another **≈ 22,000** positions. The port generates roughly **US $850 million** in municipal and state tax revenues annually.
4. **Strategic Trade Gateway** – Coatzacoalcos is the southernmost gateway on the Gulf of Mexico for **U.S.–Mexico‑Canada Agreement (USMCA)** trade, supporting the export of automotive parts, agricultural produce, and construction materials to North American markets.
The port’s performance is monitored by Mexico’s **Secretaría de Marina** and regularly appears in the **World Port Index** published by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, underscoring its significance on the global shipping landscape.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Vessel Type | Typical Transit Time |
|----------------------|-------------|----------------------|
| **Houston, USA** | VLCC, Aframax | 6–8 days |
| **Rotterdam, NL** | Panamax, Post‑Panamax | 24–27 days |
| **Shanghai, CN** | Container ships (15 k TEU) | 30–32 days |
| **Manzanillo, MX** | Feeder vessels, bulk carriers | 2–3 days |
| **Santo Domingo, DO** | General cargo | 9–11 days |
### Cargo Mix
- **Petroleum & Derivatives (≈ 45 % of tonnage):** Light crude, gasoline, diesel, LPG, and petrochemical feedstocks (ethylene, propylene).
- **Containerized Goods (≈ 30 % of TEU):** Automotive parts, machinery, consumer electronics, and perishable foodstuffs.
- **Bulk Commodities (≈ 15 %):** Cement, steel billets, iron ore, and agricultural fertilizers.
- **RoRo Vehicles (≈ 5 %):** Passenger cars, trucks, and construction equipment for domestic distribution.
The port’s **multimodal flexibility** enables it to serve both **northbound** routes to the United States (especially the Gulf Coast and Midwest) and **southbound** corridors toward Central America, leveraging the recently expanded **Pan‑American Highway** network. Seasonal spikes are observed during the **Hurricane season (June–November)**, when the port’s robust berthing depth and advanced mooring systems provide a safe haven for vessels rerouting around Caribbean disruptions.
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### Outlook
Looking ahead, APIC has announced a **US $150 million** investment plan to deepen the main channel to **14.2 m**, expand the container terminal by **30 %**, and introduce **green‑port initiatives** such as shore‑power for docked vessels and on‑site LNG bunkering. These enhancements aim to secure Coatzacoalcos’ position as a **low‑carbon logistics hub** in line with Mexico’s 2030 maritime emission targets.
For the most up‑to‑date operational statistics, consult the **Port of Coatzacoalcos Annual Report 2025** (available on the official APIC website) and the International Maritime Organization’s port state control database.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
MXCOA
Country
Mexico
Province / Region
Veracruz
Latitude
18.130000
Longitude
-94.400000
Timezone
America/Mexico_City
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Coatzacoalcos?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Coatzacoalcos is MXCOA.
Where is Port of Coatzacoalcos located?
The Port of Coatzacoalcos is located in Mexico, Veracruz. Its coordinates are 18.1300°N, -94.4000°E.
What time zone is Port of Coatzacoalcos in?
Port of Coatzacoalcos 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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