Contecon Manzanillo S.A. de C.V. (Contecon Manzanillo), a business unit of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), became the first port operator to be certified as carbon neutral in Mexico.

Contecon Manzanillo is a concessionaire of the Specialized Container Terminal of the North Zone of the Port of Manzanillo (TEC-II).

Recenty, it received a Carbon Neutrality UNE-14064-3:2019 certification for its initiatives to combat climate change, promote renewable energy and decarbonize ports and maritime transport.

The carbon neutrality certificate recognized the company’s efforts to offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through reduction and compensation practices.

These include counteracting and maintaining zero emission from equipment such as cranes, port tractors, air conditioners and other polluting sources; compensating for emissions through sponsorships of forests and protected areas; and initiating sustainable initiatives like execution of circular economies and incorporation of technologies that reduce the operational impact of the Port of Manzanillo – the primary port in the Mexican Pacific.

“We are proud to be the first terminal in Mexico verified under this regulation," says José Antonio Contreras, Contecon Manzanillo chief executive officer.

"At Contecon, we maintain an agenda aligned with our business in which climate change is combatted and the use of renewable energy is encouraged," he elaborated.

"More importantly, we are moving firmly towards the decarbonization of ports and maritime transport of Mexico," Contreras, underscored.

"Having this type of certification portrays us as an organization that demonstrates commitment, talent and a real position for change in the face of environmental problems.”

Passing the audit performed by TÜV RHEINLAND, Contecon Manzanillo demonstrated its ability to adequately reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and move towards an energy transition across Mexico’s maritime transport.

In 2021, the company’s direct and indirect CO2e emissions amounted to 25,368.67 tons while total offset emissions amounted to 25,369 tons.

Regional and global maritime transport effectively connects economies through the movement of goods and currently represents between 80 percent and 90 percent of world trade.

The shipping sector emits two to three percent of global GHG emissions and contributes around 13 percent of sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions to global air pollution.

Hence, the port industry urgently needs to transform itself and shift to sustainable practices.

"The transition of fuel in maritime transport and the commitment of our sector to become a zero-emission industry is a challenge," Contreras acknowledged.

"At the same time, it is an opportunity that can unleash investment for Mexico, catalyze innovation and create the sustainable growth necessary for trade not only in the country but in the entire region and its international connections," he maintained.

"To do this, the sector will need to develop and build new ships, integrate and adopt innovative technological solutions, and develop new fuel supply chains and shore-based infrastructure while taking advantage of synergies with other sectors seeking to decarbonize their business activities,” Contreras concluded.