Protesting truck drivers obstruct operations at Mexico's Lázaro Cárdenas port due to delays and unsatisfactory conditions

The Port of Lázaro Cárdenas, a significant gateway for automotive imports and exports from Asia, is currently experiencing disruptions due to blockades staged by independent truck drivers. This blockade is separate from a previous incident at the Port of Manzanillo, Mexico's largest container port.

At the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas, truckers are demanding solutions from the National Port Administration, APM Terminals, and Hutchison Ports to address their concerns, which include long wait times, customs bottlenecks, and suspended x-ray inspections during bad weather. The blockade has been ongoing since midnight the previous week, and the identities of its leading figures remain unclear.

The disruptions at the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas are causing significant cargo movement issues, adding to the challenges faced by the port, which handled 1.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units in the first half of 2025.

Meanwhile, the Port of Manzanillo, another key gateway for automotive imports and exports from Asia, faced similar issues earlier this year. In May, truck drivers staged a four-day work stoppage at the port, resulting in revenue losses estimated at $150 million. The workers' demands included workplace harassment, better working conditions, more customs personnel, and extended customs hours.

Customs at the Port of Manzanillo currently operate seven booths, though only one or two are typically open. This, coupled with complaints about limited facilities such as bathrooms, rest areas, and food access while waiting, has contributed to the truck drivers' grievances.

Apart from the Port of Manzanillo and the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas, APM and Hutchison Ports are expanding capacity at various ports to address the growing demand for container handling. However, truckers continue to express concerns about persistent customs bottlenecks.

The ongoing blockade at the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas and the previous strike at the Port of Manzanillo highlight the complex challenges faced by the Mexican port industry and the need for collaborative solutions to ensure smooth operations and minimise disruptions.

Protesting truck drivers obstruct operations at Mexico's Lázaro Cárdenas port due to delays and unsatisfactory conditions