Port of Brownsville increases aluminum handling and advances $500M dredging project to boost logistics competitiveness

During the 31st Foreign Trade Congress organized by COMCE, Guillermo Rico, Business Development and Marketing Director of the Port of Brownsville, reported that the port is experiencing a significant increase in the movement of industrial inputs linked to the Mexican market, particularly in steel, aluminum, and minerals, while progressing with a major dredging project to expand its operational capacity.

Increase in industrial cargo movement

Rico noted that steel continues to be the main product handled at the terminal, maintaining a constant presence in binational production chains. However, he highlighted a sharp increase in aluminum flow.

“This year in particular, the aluminum industry has grown. We have received approximately 20 times more aluminum than last year,” he stated.

In parallel, mineral exports to the United States have regained momentum, further diversifying the port’s logistics portfolio.

As part of its capacity-building strategy, the port is executing a dredging project of approximately $500 million to increase the depth of the ship channel from 12.3–12.4 meters to 15.8 meters, allowing the port to receive larger vessels. The project, now in its second year, is expected to be completed around mid-2026.

“With this, we can receive heavier loads. For example, steel slab shipments currently arriving at around 55,000 tons could increase to 60,000 or even 70,000 tons on the same vessel,” Rico explained.

The increased channel depth will also facilitate new industrial logistics opportunities, aligning the port’s operational capacity with the Panama Canal and opening additional maritime traffic possibilities between both points.

Infrastructure to support nearshoring

Rico stated that the port has infrastructure to support Mexican companies seeking to establish industrial operations in the United States as part of nearshoring strategies.

This ecosystem includes an industrial park with services, multimodal transportation, and access to a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), enabling preferential schemes for export-destined goods.

“We have examples of Mexican companies that began operations before the pandemic to be closer to their customers. Today they continue expanding due to logistics and cost advantages,” he noted.

He added that additional projects are being evaluated by companies considering new production capacities in the United States.

Commercial outlook

Regarding tariff policy, Rico mentioned that the United States is currently engaged in negotiation processes with various countries, which generates partial uncertainty. However, he stated that visibility is improving as the upcoming review of the USMCA approaches.

“There is some uncertainty, but each time the direction becomes clearer. Companies can already begin planning,” he said.

On border security, he indicated that operations in the corridor connecting Matamoros, Reynosa, Monterrey, and Saltillo remain active, with occasional incidents but no significant disruptions to supply chains.

With increased aluminum handling, the reactivation of mineral flows, stability in fuel activity, and the ongoing deepening of the channel, the Port of Brownsville is positioning itself as a logistics hub to supply the Mexican manufacturing industry, particularly in sectors linked to metals, industrial production, and U.S.–Mexico integration.

The port expects to enhance its receiving capacity and diversification as the dredging project moves forward and trade policy guidelines evolve in line with regional negotiations under the USMCA framework.