The boom in container handling at Mexico’s ports continued in March with a 14.1% increase, official figures show. That was the ninth straight month of growth and the fastest rise since December. The expansion was led by exports of loaded containers, which increased 20.7%, reflecting broader growth in Mexico’s trade as discussed in Panjiva research of April 27.

The gulf coast ports, led by Veracruz, expanded exports the fastest with a 27.0% increase. That was the sixth straight month that the gulf coast outperformed the Pacific coast.

Chart shows shipments of containers on import and export basis, segmented by coast of port. Calculations based on Mexican Communication and Transport Ministry data. Source: Panjiva

Exports at Veracruz itself increased 34.7%, Panjiva data for Mexican container imports and exports shows. The increase was broad-based including steel and plastic raw materials as well as auto-parts for Ford and Audi and commodities including palm oil. While an expansion program was only completed in 2016, the port’s growth should continue. There is a $60 million project to dredge the port allowing five new container terminals to be built, American Shipper reports.

Among the other major ports Altamira saw a 32.8% increase in handling to reach a new high of 82,420 TEU equivalent. That was the result of a significant step-up in imports of steel pipeline tubing from Mitsui in Japan. That may relate to investment projects in the energy sector, including those by TransCanada, that may bring U.S. shale gas to Mexico.

Chart shows aggregate Mexican imports and exports of containerized freight segmented by port of lading / unlading. Source: Panjiva