Puerto Colombia, Nuevo León, promotes logistics model to reduce time and costs at the U.S. border

Puerto Colombia, in Nuevo León, is promoting a new cross-border logistics model aimed at eliminating traditional cargo transfers between Mexico and the United States, reducing crossing times, operating costs and border congestion. The strategy is part of the expansion currently underway at the border port, driven by the growth of foreign trade and the demand for more agile operations toward Texas.

During the International Foreign Trade Forum (FICEX), organized by COMCE Noreste, Marco González, Director of the Corporation for the Development of Nuevo León’s Border Zone (CODESFRONT), highlighted that the border port is already working on models that will enable more direct operations between Mexican and U.S. carriers.

Currently, much of the border system requires trailers to be disconnected, trucks to be changed and goods to be moved to intermediate yards before continuing to their final destination. This model increases time, costs and operational complexity for supply chains.

“The objective is to eliminate downtime and unnecessary costs so that goods can cross more quickly and efficiently between Mexico and the United States,” González highlighted.

Colombia, Nuevo León, bets on direct crossings and binational logistics

González explained that the traditional border transportation system generates time losses, higher costs and operational saturation, particularly amid the growth of nearshoring, the increase in trade and the need for faster deliveries.

Colombia is working on a model that will allow U.S. carriers to enter Mexican territory directly and continue logistics operations without the need for multiple trailer exchange maneuvers. The strategy is supported by free trade agreement provisions that facilitate more agile cross-border operations for certain segments of international transportation.

He also highlighted the development of specialized infrastructure for this type of operation, including logistics stations and platforms focused on binational cargo. Among the projects mentioned is the operation of Freight World One Logistics, focused on facilitating direct crossings and more efficient movement of goods between Mexico and the United States.

Colombia does not seek to compete directly with Laredo’s traditional customs yards, but rather to position itself as a more efficient alternative for cargo whose final destination is in cities such as San Antonio, Austin, Dallas or Houston.

While carriers at other border customs points can face waits of up to four hours, in Colombia the average is around 20 minutes. In addition, direct connectivity with Interstate 45 in the United States makes it possible to reduce unnecessary routes and optimize delivery times.

“If your cargo is going directly to Texas, use Colombia,” he said.

Puerto Colombia will expand infrastructure and new international bridges

Another highlighted trend was the increase in travelers from Monterrey using Colombia to cross into Texas without leaving Nuevo León. Although the port was originally created as a cargo crossing, the sustained increase in vehicle and tourism flows is beginning to change its operational profile.

The growth in both cargo and passenger traffic has caused part of the current infrastructure to become undersized. In response, González confirmed that two new international bridges will be built in 2027, including one exclusively for cargo operations.

“Originally, Colombia was created as a cargo crossing, but today it is also becoming a tourism crossing,” he said.

The objective will be to separate commercial traffic from tourism traffic in order to improve mobility and increase the border port’s operating capacity.

Operational growth is already reflected in economic indicators. González highlighted that Puerto Colombia reached fourth place nationally in import revenue collection in 2025, consolidating itself as one of Mexico’s most dynamic customs points. This progress responds to the increase in customs operations, logistics expansion and the growth of foreign trade driven by nearshoring.

“Today, Colombia is already competing among the most important customs points in the country, and that reflects the logistics potential Nuevo León has at the border,” González said.

One of the key factors behind the port’s progress has been the strengthening of border security and territorial planning. The route to Colombia currently has permanent surveillance, signage and the deployment of state and federal agencies to ensure safe conditions for cargo transportation and passenger mobility.

Members of Fuerza Civil, the National Guard, the Navy and the Mexican Army operate in the area. In addition, Colombia maintains extensive land reserves on both the Mexican and U.S. sides, opening opportunities for industrial parks, distribution centers, logistics yards and rail projects.

“We have available land on both the Mexican and American sides to develop industrial parks, yards and new logistics projects. That is an advantage that no longer exists at other borders,” he added.

The expectation is that, in the coming years, the border port will evolve into an integrated ecosystem for foreign trade, industry and binational mobility, capable of competing with North America’s main logistics corridors.