Altamira, Mexico: A vibrant port city blending industry, culture, and natural beauty.
Altamira is located on the Gulf of Mexico in the state of Tamaulipas, about 20 km north of Tampico. It ranks as Mexico’s fourth-largest port by container throughput and covers approximately 1,600 acres. Strategically, Altamira serves as a major industrial and logistics hub, connecting northern and central Mexico to international markets, especially for petrochemicals, bulk cargo, and containers. The port handled around 880,000 TEUs annually in recent years, underscoring its significance in Mexico’s maritime trade network.
Altamira, Mexico features key terminals for containers, bulk cargo, petrochemicals, and vehicles. Major facilities include Altamira Terminal Portuaria (ATP) and Infraestructura Portuaria Mexicana (IPM), with over 3,500 meters of quay and 250,000 TEU container capacity. Equipment includes advanced gantry cranes, mobile harbor cranes, specialized bulk handling systems, and newly acquired yard cranes. The port utilizes automated cargo management systems and supports efficient multimodal logistics.
Altamira, Mexico’s container terminals have five berths dedicated to container operations, with a total annual capacity of around 1.2 million TEU. The terminals feature semi-automated systems, including modern cranes and gate automation, but are not fully automated. Major operators include Altamira Terminal Portuaria (ATP) and Hutchison Ports. The port handles both containerized and general cargo, serving as a key Gulf of Mexico gateway for international trade.
Altamira, Mexico is a major Gulf of Mexico port with direct maritime connections to over 125 ports worldwide, including key hubs in the United States, Europe, and South America. It serves northern and central Mexico through robust rail and highway links, supporting automotive, petrochemical, and industrial exports. Regular shipping routes connect Altamira to major markets such as the US East Coast, Europe, and Brazil, making it a strategic gateway for international trade.
Port of Altamira, Mexico – Key Statistics (2024/2025):
Altamira is Mexico’s second fastest-growing port, handling significant automotive and LNG volumes, with recent infrastructure expansion and strong connectivity to global shipping networks.
