Background on APIQROO and Punta Brava Project
Vagner Elbiorn Vega, the Director of the Integral Port Administration of Quintana Roo (APIQROO), has clarified that there are no confirmed plans for a cruise ship terminal in Punta Brava, Puerto Morelos. Instead, only preliminary feasibility studies have been conducted to assess the viability of a cargo terminal in that area.
Preliminary Feasibility Studies
The preliminary feasibility studies suggest that a cargo terminal in Punta Brava is indeed viable. However, APIQROO has only recently approached the relevant federal authorities to express their opinions on this project. Should they receive favorable feedback, APIQROO would then proceed to draft a preliminary proposal.
“We are still far from that stage. We would then collaborate with relevant departments such as SEMARNAT, the Navy Secretariat, and the Ministry of Finance to secure necessary permits,” Vega explained.
Project Details and Context
In August of this year, APIQROO awarded a contract to Proyectos y Estudios de Ingeniería S.A. de C.V. for engineering, topographical, and soil mechanics studies for a cargo terminal in Punta Brava.
The proposed project envisions an investment exceeding $64 million to transform Punta Brava into a strategic hub for international trade and energy autonomy in the Mexican Caribbean.
Currently, most commercial and fuel cargo for Quintana Roo enters via land routes or maritime routes from the US, incurring logistical costs estimated between 15% and 20%. The project aims to establish Puerto Morelos, located just 36 kilometers from Cancún, as a strategic logistics node.
According to the Port Development Master Plan 2024-2029, authorized by the Mexican Navy (SEMAR) on June 29, 2024, the planned facility would span 130 hectares and include various cargo terminals, administrative offices, and a liquid cargo terminal designed to ensure fuel and energy product supply in the region.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What is the current status of the proposed cruise ship terminal in Punta Brava, Puerto Morelos? A: There are no confirmed plans for a cruise ship terminal. Only preliminary feasibility studies have been conducted to evaluate the possibility of a cargo terminal.
- Q: What are the findings of the preliminary feasibility studies? A: The studies suggest that a cargo terminal in Punta Brava is viable, but APIQROO has not yet approached federal authorities for their opinions on the project.
- Q: What is the purpose of the proposed cargo terminal in Punta Brava? A: The project aims to position Puerto Morelos as a strategic logistics node, reducing reliance on US-based maritime routes for cargo and fuel.
- Q: What does the proposed terminal include? A: The planned facility would encompass various cargo terminals, administrative offices, and a liquid cargo terminal designed to ensure fuel and energy product supply in the region.
