MX Prefix and Three-Letter Location Code
Mexico uses the country prefix MX. A complete UN/LOCODE combines MX with a three-letter location identifier, such as MXVER for Veracruz, MXATM for Altamira and MXZLO for Manzanillo.
Seaports in Mexico: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Mexico has 127 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting major Pacific, Gulf of Mexico and regional trade flows between North America, Asia, Europe and Latin America.
Use the country port directory to verify UN/LOCODE records, compare gateway locations and plan container or project cargo movements.
Mexico Port Overview
Mexico has gateways on both the Pacific and Gulf coasts, while inland logistics centers in the database support rail, road and intermodal distribution. Indexed coverage and public port throughput are different measures: the figures below combine Ecer Freight coverage with official or port-authority statistics where available.
127
Mexico ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Oct 2026
300.5M
Total port cargo, tonnes, 2025 provisional; approximately +2% YoY
SEMAR 2025 preliminary port statistics
8.1M
Container throughput, TEU, 2025 provisional; approximately +4% YoY
SEMAR 2025 preliminary port statistics
117
Commercial port berths, 2025 reported inventory; broadly stable YoY
SEMAR / API port inventories · 2025
How many seaports does Mexico have?
Mexico has 127 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its Mexico country database as of October 2026.
Which are Mexico’s largest container gateways?
Manzanillo, listed as MXZLO, is generally Mexico’s leading container gateway by TEU, followed by Lázaro Cárdenas (MXLZC), Veracruz (MXVER) and Altamira (MXATM), subject to annual port statistics.
Which regions handle most Mexico freight?
The Pacific corridor around Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas and the Gulf corridor around Veracruz and Altamira handle the principal container and general-cargo flows, with Ensenada (MXENS) serving northwest trade.
Mexico’s Main Container and Cargo Ports
The table provides an indicative 2025 comparison of leading Mexican gateways. World rank and throughput figures depend on the reporting boundary used by each port and on the international league table methodology.
Selected Mexican ports by container activity and strategic cargo role, 2025
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Manzanillo | MXZLO | 4.25 | +4.0% | Pacific |
| — | Lazaro Cardenas | MXLZC | 2.20 | +7.0% | Pacific |
| — | Veracruz | MXVER | 1.35 | +3.0% | Gulf of Mexico |
| — | Altamira | MXATM | 0.95 | +2.0% | Gulf of Mexico |
| — | Ensenada | MXENS | 0.48 | +5.0% | Baja California Pacific |
| — | Progreso | MXPRO | 0.10 | +1.0% | Yucatán Peninsula |
Mexico Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Pacific Container Corridor
Pacific gateways connect Mexico with trans-Pacific services, West Coast North America and Asian manufacturing networks.
Selected Pacific ports
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manzanillo | MXZLO | Manzanillo / — | Container gateway and trans-Pacific cargo |
| Lazaro Cardenas | MXLZC | Veracruz / — | Containers, automobiles and industrial cargo |
| Ensenada | MXENS | Ensenada / — | Containers, refrigerated cargo and Baja California supply chains |
| Guaymas | MXGMS | Guaymas / — | Bulk, agricultural and project cargo |
| Mazatlan | MXMAZ | — / — | Short-sea, automotive and general cargo |
Gulf of Mexico and East Coast
The Gulf gateways serve central Mexico, the United States Gulf and Atlantic markets, with significant container, energy, automotive and breakbulk activity.
Selected Gulf and east-coast ports
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veracruz | MXVER | Veracruz / — | Containers, automobiles, steel and consumer goods |
| Altamira | MXATM | Altamira / — | Containers, petrochemicals, steel and project cargo |
| Tampico | MXTAM | Tampico / — | General, bulk and energy-related cargo |
| Progreso | MXPRO | Progreso / — | Yucatán regional containers and agricultural cargo |
| Coatzacoalcos | MXCOA | Coatzacoalcos / — | Energy, chemicals and bulk commodities |
Baja California and Northwest Mexico
Northern Pacific locations support cross-border manufacturing, regional distribution, fisheries and project cargo, with inland connections into the United States.
Selected northwest ports and logistics locations
Yucatán Peninsula and Caribbean
The southeast supports regional consumer markets, tourism supply chains, petroleum-related movements and connections through the Gulf and Caribbean.
Selected southeast and Caribbean locations
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progreso | MXPRO | Progreso / — | Regional containers and dry cargo |
| Puerto Morelos | MXPMS | Quintana Roo / — | Regional and tourism-related supply chains |
| Cancun | MXCAN | Cancun / — | Regional distribution and tourism supply |
| Acapulco | MXACA | Acapulco / — | Regional cargo and coastal services |
Mexico Port Codes and UN/LOCODE Structure
UN/LOCODE records help carriers, forwarders, customs teams and booking platforms identify transport locations consistently. The Ecer Freight directory should be checked against the latest official or UNECE record when a shipment is booked.
City-Level and Terminal-Level Records
A city or port-area code may represent a wider logistics location, while carrier systems can also use terminal-specific identifiers. The correct record depends on the bill of lading, booking instruction and actual place of receipt or delivery.
How to Verify a Mexico Port Code
Cross-check the location name, country prefix and operational terminal with the UNECE UN/LOCODE directory and the Ecer Freight port code directory before submitting shipping documents.
Shipping from Mexico: Main Trade Lanes
Transit times vary with the carrier string, transshipment plan, season, equipment availability, port congestion and final inland destination. The ranges below are planning references rather than guaranteed schedules.
Mexico–East Asia
The Pacific corridor carries manufactured goods, machinery, electronics, automotive parts and consumer products between Mexico and Asian production centers.
Mexico–North America
Short-sea and cross-border networks connect Mexican gateways with the United States and Canada, supporting automotive, retail, industrial and agricultural supply chains.
Mexico–Europe
Atlantic services move manufactured products, vehicles, food products, chemicals and project cargo between Mexico and European markets.
Mexico–Latin America
Pacific and Gulf services connect Mexico with Central America, the Caribbean and South America for consumer goods, food products, equipment and regional distribution.
Sources and Methodology
Mexico port coverage, port-code presentation and market commentary are reviewed against first-party records and established public sources. Port throughput is not treated as equivalent to the number of locations indexed in the Ecer Freight database.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party directory containing 127 Mexico ports and terminals in the October 2026 snapshot.
- UNECE UN/LOCODE — international location-code structure and location-name reference.
- Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR) — Mexican maritime and port statistics, including cargo and container reporting where published.
- International Association of Ports and Harbors — port-industry reference material and international port context.
- INEGI — Mexican official statistical context for trade, industry and regional economic activity.
Mexico Port FAQ
How many seaports does Mexico have?
Mexico has 127 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight as of the October 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed-coverage figure, not a claim that every location is a large ocean container port.
What is the largest container port in Mexico?
Manzanillo, represented in the supplied directory by MXZLO, is generally Mexico’s largest container gateway by annual TEU throughput. Annual rankings can change with trade volumes, terminal boundaries and reporting methods.
What are the main port codes in Mexico?
Common records include MXZLO for Manzanillo, MXLZC for Lazaro Cardenas, MXVER for Veracruz, MXATM for Altamira and MXENS for Ensenada. The shipment’s carrier booking and terminal instructions should be checked before filing documents.
Which Mexico regions handle the most sea freight?
The Pacific corridor and the Gulf of Mexico corridor handle the largest share of Mexico’s container and general-cargo activity, with Manzanillo, Lazaro Cardenas, Veracruz and Altamira serving major industrial markets.
How current are the Mexico port statistics?
The Ecer Freight indexed-port count is based on the October 2026 snapshot. The latest complete statistical year used for this guide is 2025, while official port releases and provisional revisions may change individual throughput figures.
Can a forwarder arrange FCL or LCL shipping from Mexico?
FCL and LCL options can be compared by origin port, destination, equipment, commodity, weight, dimensions and required delivery terms. Rates and schedules remain subject to carrier confirmation and operational conditions.
Editorial note: Mexico port codes and indexed locations are maintained in the Ecer Freight database and reviewed periodically. Throughput, TEU, cargo and berth indicators are compiled from public maritime, port-authority and statistical sources, with the latest complete reporting year treated as 2025 where available. Port performance and sailing schedules remain subject to official revisions and carrier confirmation.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Mexico: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact