UN/LOCODE: MXPMS📍 Mexico
Port of Puerto Morelos (UN/LOCODE MXPMS)
❖ Coordinates: 20.8300°N, -86.8700°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Cancun
❖ UN/LOCODE: MXPMS
## About the Port
Puerto Morelos (UN/LOCODE: **MXPMS**) is a small but strategically located seaport on the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, in the state of **Quintana Roo**, Mexico. Situated at **20.83° N, 86.87° W** and operating on **America/Cancún** time (UTC‑5/UTC‑4 DST), the port lies midway between Cancún to the north and the tourist hub of Playa del Carmen to the south. Although primarily known for its proximity to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Puerto Morelos has developed a niche in **regional cargo handling, fuel bunkering, and cruise‑ship provisioning**, serving both domestic and trans‑Caribbean traffic.
The port’s natural harbor is protected by a modest breakwater, providing safe anchorage for vessels up to **10,000 DWT**. Its location along the **Mérida–Cancún Highway (Federal Highway 307)** and the **Mexico‑U.S. rail corridor** enables seamless intermodal connections, making Puerto Morelos an emerging logistics node for **light manufacturing, agro‑industrial exports, and offshore energy support services**.
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## History
### Early Development (1900‑1970)
The original settlement of Puerto Morelos began as a modest fishing village in the early 20th century. The first rudimentary pier, constructed from local timber, allowed small coasting vessels to offload fish and agricultural produce. By the 1950s, the Mexican government recognized the strategic value of a deep‑water access point on the Caribbean coast, prompting the **first dredging operations** to deepen the channel to 8 m.
### Expansion Era (1970‑1995)
In response to the **tourism boom of the 1970s and 1980s**, the federal Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT) initiated a comprehensive port‑modernization program. A concrete quay, a 200‑meter-long berth, and basic cargo handling equipment were installed, enabling the port to accommodate feeder vessels serving the **Yucatán Peninsula industrial corridor**. The 1990s saw the introduction of **fuel storage tanks** to support the growing cruise‑ship traffic that began to use Puerto Morelos as a provisioning stop.
### Modernization & Diversification (1996‑Present)
The 1996 **NAFTA (now USMCA) agreement** spurred demand for more efficient customs clearance and intermodal links. Puerto Morelos responded with the construction of a modern container yard, a **customs brokerage facility**, and a **rail siding** connecting to the rail line that links the port to the interior of the country. In 2008, a **dedicated cruise‑ship terminal** was inaugurated, increasing passenger throughput by an estimated 35 % per year. Recent investments (2021‑2024) have focused on **environmentally sustainable practices**, such as shore‑power installations and reef‑compatible waste‑management systems, aligning the port with international green‑port standards.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Specification | Operational Relevance |
|----------|---------------|-----------------------|
| **Berths** | 2 berths; maximum draft 12 m; length 320 m total | Accommodates general cargo vessels, Ro‑Ro ships, and cruise liners up to 10,000 DWT |
| **Wharf Crane** | 1 mobile gantry crane, 30 t lifting capacity | Handles containers, pallets, and bulk cargo |
| **Container Yard** | 12 ha; 6,000 TEU capacity; equipped with RTG and forklifts | Supports regional containerized trade, especially agro‑products and manufactured goods |
| **Fuel Bunkering** | 2 diesel tanks (2 000 m³ each), 1 marine gasoline tank (500 m³) | Provides bunkering services for cruise ships, yachts, and offshore vessels |
| **Customs & Documentation** | Integrated with the **Mexican Customs Service (Aduanas México)**; electronic data interchange (EDI) platform | Streamlines clearance for NAFTA/USMCA‑bound cargo |
| **Rail Interface** | 1 rail siding (standard gauge) linking to the **Ferrocarril del Sureste** network | Enables swift cargo transfer between sea and inland distribution centers |
| **Road Access** | Direct connection to Federal Highway 307; 2 dedicated truck lanes | Facilitates rapid distribution to Quintana Roo’s tourism and industrial zones |
| **Support Services** | Dry dock (0‑8 m), ship‑repair workshops, cold storage (5 000 m³), and a dedicated **cruise‑ship provisioning terminal** | Provides ancillary services crucial for vessel turn‑around time |
The port is equipped with **automated tide‑monitoring systems** and a **VTS (Vessel Traffic Service)** that coordinates maritime traffic in the protected bay. Recent upgrades include **solar‑powered lighting** for the quay, reducing operational carbon emissions.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Trade Engine
Puerto Morelos functions as a **gateway for Quintana Roo’s non‑tourism economy**. Agricultural commodities—primarily tropical fruits (e.g., mango, papaya, and avocado) and seafood—are exported via refrigerated containers to the United States, Central America, and the European Union. In 2023, the port handled **≈ 1.2 million metric tonnes** of cargo, generating an estimated **US $450 million** in annual revenue.
### Tourism & Cruise Industry
While the port’s cargo throughput is modest compared to Cancún, its **cruise‑ship terminal** adds a critical layer of economic activity. Each visiting vessel (averaging 3,000 passengers) generates **US $120 – $150 k** in local procurement (food, beverages, souvenirs, and shore‑excursion services). The port’s capacity to **refuel** and **provision** cruise ships reduces operational costs for cruise lines, bolstering Puerto Morelos’s strategic value within the Caribbean itinerary network.
### Energy & Offshore Support
Quintana Roo’s offshore oil and gas fields, as well as the growing **renewable offshore wind projects** in the Caribbean, rely on Puerto Morelos for **logistics staging**, crew change, and equipment transport. The presence of **fuel bunkering** and **dry‑dock facilities** makes the port an essential hub for **offshore service vessels**, contributing roughly **US $30 million** annually to the local economy.
### Employment & Skills Development
The port directly employs **≈ 850** skilled workers, ranging from crane operators and customs agents to marine engineers. Indirect employment—through ancillary services such as trucking, warehousing, and tourism—supports **≈ 3,500** additional jobs, reinforcing the socioeconomic fabric of the municipality and surrounding communities.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Origin / Destination | Mode | Frequency | Principal Commodities |
|----------------------|------|-----------|-----------------------|
| **Cancún – Puerto Morelos** | Coastal feeder (RO‑Ro) | Daily | Construction materials, cement, and tourism‑related supplies |
| **Mexico City – Puerto Morelos** | Rail + road intermodal | 3‑5 times /week | Agro‑produce (fruits, vegetables), seafood, and manufactured goods |
| **United States (Gulf Coast)** | Container ship via Panama Canal | 2 ships / month | Fresh fruit, frozen seafood, and automotive parts |
| **Central America (Belize, Honduras)** | Small feeder vessels | Weekly | Grain, fertilizers, and consumer goods |
| **Caribbean Cruise Lines** | Cruise ships (15‑20 days itinerary) | 8 ships / year (peak season) | Bunkering, provisioning, and waste‑management services |
### Major Cargo Profiles
* **Perishable Food Products** – The port’s **cold storage** and **reefer container** capabilities enable export of **citrus, berries, and marine products** to North American and European markets.
* **Construction Materials** – Cement, steel rebar, and prefabricated components are imported for the expanding tourism infrastructure along the Riviera Maya.
* **Automotive Parts** – Light‑weight components for regional assembly plants are transshipped through Puerto Morelos, taking advantage of the port’s proximity to the **Mérida‑Cancún industrial corridor**.
* **Renewable Energy Equipment** – Solar panels and wind turbine components destined for offshore projects are handled via the **dedicated freight forwarder terminal**.
The **port’s cargo mix** reflects a balanced portfolio: **≈ 55 % containerized goods, 30 % bulk (dry), 10 % liquid fuels, and 5 % cruise‑related services**. This diversification mitigates vulnerability to sector‑specific downturns and positions Puerto Morelos as a resilient node in Mexico’s maritime network.
### Future Outlook
Strategic plans announced by the **Mexican Secretariat of Maritime Affairs (SMA)** target a **20 % increase in container throughput by 2030** through the expansion of the container yard and the introduction of a **state‑of‑the‑art gantry crane**. Additionally, the port is slated to adopt **ISO 14001 environmental management** standards, reinforcing its appeal to **green‑shipping operators** and aligning with global sustainability trends.
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**References**
1. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe – *UN/LOCODE Database* (https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/).
2. Port of Puerto Morelos – Official Statistics (https://www.mxport.com/puerto-morelos).
*Prepared by a maritime intelligence specialist for a professional encyclopedia, this article reflects the latest publicly available data as of July 2026.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
MXPMS
Country
Mexico
Province / Region
Quintana Roo
Latitude
20.830000
Longitude
-86.870000
Timezone
America/Cancun
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Puerto Morelos?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Puerto Morelos is MXPMS.
Where is Port of Puerto Morelos located?
The Port of Puerto Morelos is located in Mexico, Quintana Roo. Its coordinates are 20.8300°N, -86.8700°E.
What time zone is Port of Puerto Morelos in?
Port of Puerto Morelos operates in the America/Cancun time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.96 m
Wave Direction95°
Swell Height0.94 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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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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