Contecon Manzanillo, International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) Mexican business unit operating the Specialised Container Terminal 2 at the Mexican port, recently handled the first carbon-neutral container in North America, as well as CMA CGM Liberty, the first LNG-powered container vessel to arrive in Mexico.
The event was marked by a ceremony attended by representatives from the government, CMA CGM Mexico, Walmart de Mexico and Central America, the National Port System Manzanillo and the Manzanillo port, as well as other stakeholders.
“It is a great day for us since today we have established not one but two precedents for port decarbonization in Mexico and in the north of the continent: the handling of the first carbon-neutral container in North America and the arrival of the first container ship powered by LNG,” stated José Antonio Contreras, CEO of Contecon Manzanillo.
According to the statement, the arrival of the 14,806 TEU CMA CGM Liberty is an important step towards decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainable maritime transportation in Mexico.
Also, the LNG-powered propulsion system of the vessel has several environmental benefits, including a 99% reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions, a 92% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions, and a 91% reduction in particulate matter (PM10) emissions.
José Antonio Contreras added, “Contecon Manzanillo was recognized in 2022 as the first port terminal in North America to receive the UNE-14064-3:2019 Carbon Neutral certification. This demonstrates our commitment to the fight against climate change.”
