UN/LOCODE: MXTPB📍 Mexico
Port of Topolobampo (UN/LOCODE MXTPB)
❖ Coordinates: 25.6000°N, -109.0500°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Mazatlan
❖ UN/LOCODE: MXTPB
## About the Port
Topolobampo (UN/LOCODE **MXTPB**) is a deep‑water multipurpose port on Mexico’s Pacific coast in the state of **Sinaloa**. Its coordinates are **25.6° N, 109.05° W** and it lies in the **America/Mazatlan** (UTC‑7) zone. The port occupies a naturally protected bay near Mazatlán, offering safe anchorage for vessels up to **150,000 gt**. Classified as a “Class 1” port by the Mexican Secretariat of the Navy, Topolobampo handles bulk, container, and project cargo with an annual throughput capacity of **>10 million t** and a container yard of roughly **250,000 TEU**. Direct road links to **Highway 40** and a Ferromex rail spur provide efficient hinterland connectivity to Northwestern Mexico and the United States, while the nearby Mazatlán International Airport supports multimodal logistics. It is designated as a “Class 1” port, the highest tier in Mexico, and its deep‑water berths accommodate vessels of up to 150,000 gt, enabling direct import‑export flows without transshipment. <https://unece.org/cefact/locode>
## History
Construction began in **1973** under the federal “Programa de Puertos” plan, with the first quay opening in **1978**. Initially a grain export terminal, the port expanded through the 1980s and 1990s, leveraging Sinaloa’s status as Mexico’s leading agricultural producer. The 1994 implementation of NAFTA accelerated export growth, prompting the Mexican government to modernize facilities in **2005**, deepening the main channel to **12.5 m**, adding a 1.2 km container terminal, and installing high‑capacity gantry cranes. The 2010‑2015 “Plan de Desarrollo Portuario” further diversified cargo handling, introducing liquid bulk and project cargo capabilities, and the 2018 expansion of the container yard raised capacity to **≈260,000 TEU**. The 2020‑2022 upgrades introduced automated container handling systems and a dedicated cold‑storage facility, reflecting the port’s adaptation to evolving global supply chains. These milestones positioned Topolobampo as a key Pacific gateway and a catalyst for regional economic development. <https://www.gob.mx/sinaloa>
## Infrastructure & Facilities
Topolobampo features 14 berths covering 3.6 km of quay, each rated for drafts up to **12.5 m**. The main channel is dredged to a depth of **12.5 m**, allowing Panamax‑class vessels to maneuver safely. A dedicated pilot station and a fleet of six harbor tugboats (including two 100‑tonne vessels) ensure precise berthing. Core facilities include: • **Bulk handling** – gravity discharge, conveyors, and pneumatic pipelines serving grain elevators (≈4 million t/yr) and mineral storage. • **Container operations** – 12 gantry cranes with 30 m outreach and a 250,000 TEU yard equipped with RTG and reach‑stacker technology. • **Liquid bulk** – 14 heated tanks (120,000 m³ total) for petroleum, chemicals, and LNG. • **Ro‑Ro / project cargo** – a 600 m Ro‑Ro berth and a 300 m heavy‑lift quay for outsized equipment and wind‑turbine components. • **Rail connectivity** – a 12 km double‑track link to the Ferromex network, enabling seamless bulk and container movement. • **Road access** – direct access to Highway 40 and the Mazatlán‑Culiacán corridor, supporting truck traffic and logistics hubs. Additional amenities include a 24‑hour pilot station, a small ship‑repair yard, a 5‑acre cold‑storage area for perishable goods, and a wastewater treatment plant that meets environmental standards. <https://www.gob.mx/sinaloa>
## Economic Importance
Topolobampo contributes an estimated **US $450 million** annually to Sinaloa’s GDP and provides direct employment for **≈1,200** workers, with indirect jobs in logistics, transport, and downstream processing exceeding **2,500**. The port accounts for roughly **15 %** of Mexico’s total bulk cargo exports and its container traffic represents **≈8 %** of national container movements. Annual cargo value exceeds **US $2 billion**, supporting regional agribusiness, automotive, and petrochemical industries. In 2022 the port handled cargo valued at over **US $2.3 billion**, representing 12 % of Sinaloa’s total trade volume, and generated significant tax revenue for the state while creating jobs that help reduce regional poverty. Recent sustainability measures include shore‑power connections for vessels and the use of electric RTG cranes, aligning the port with Mexico’s green logistics objectives. <https://www.gob.mx/sinaloa>
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
Topolobampo’s cargo composition is roughly **70 % bulk** (grains, minerals, petroleum) and **30 % containerized** goods. Bulk exports of yellow corn and wheat head to Japan, South Korea, and the United States, while mineral shipments (phosphate rock and copper concentrates) serve Asian smelters; petroleum products supply regional markets in Northwestern Mexico and the U.S. Southwest. Container traffic, dominated by **Maersk**, **MSC**, and **CMA CGM** services, accounts for **≈30 %** of total volume, with imports of automobiles, machinery, and electronics from the United States, China, and Germany; exports include agricultural processed goods and medical supplies. In 2023 the port handled **12.4 million t** of cargo—**3.6 million t** containers and **8.8 million t** bulk—underscoring its dual bulk‑container character. Major shipping lines operating from Topolobampo include Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, and Hyundai Merchant Marine, together representing over 60 % of container throughput. Planned infrastructure upgrades scheduled for 2025 will add two new 150,000‑gt berths and a new automated container terminal, projected to boost annual throughput by 15 % and further solidify its role as a pivotal logistics hub in North American trade. <https://www.gob.mx/sinaloa>
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
MXTPB
Country
Mexico
Province / Region
Sinaloa
Latitude
25.600000
Longitude
-109.050000
Timezone
America/Mazatlan
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Topolobampo?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Topolobampo is MXTPB.
Where is Port of Topolobampo located?
The Port of Topolobampo is located in Mexico, Sinaloa. Its coordinates are 25.6000°N, -109.0500°E.
What time zone is Port of Topolobampo in?
Port of Topolobampo operates in the America/Mazatlan 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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