New Port Closure Rules Set for Quintana Roo

Cancún, MX — The Association of Nautical Operators of Quintana Roo (ANQ) and port authorities have reached an agreement on administrative procedures and the various criteria to be considered when implementing port closures, including the application of microclimates.

Francisco Fernández Millán, director of the Association of Nautical Operators of Quintana Roo (ANQR), confirmed the development following a recent meeting with representatives from the Port Captaincy and the Federal Unit of Port Captaincies and Maritime Affairs (Unicapam).

Microclimates and Operational Adjustments

Fernández Millán stated that the discussions yielded positive results to mitigate the impact of partial or total port closures on operations through the use of microclimates. This approach allows certain zones to remain open for navigation depending on wind variations or direction.

“We addressed the issue of microclimates. We are patient in this regard because each new port captain needs time to assess the situation. In the meantime, they may close ports due to unfamiliarity. We are now working closely with them to determine different types of closures based on specific zones,” he explained.

He acknowledged that port closures have decreased compared to last year, with only 35 days of closures recorded so far in 2025. In contrast, January 2024 alone saw 24 days of closures.

Streamlining Administrative Procedures

During the meeting, the group also agreed to maintain vessel measurements in feet (40 feet) rather than meters, as a switch to the latter would have rendered 70% of the sector inoperable. Additionally, they decided to reinforce staffing at the Port Captaincy to eliminate the appointment-based service system implemented during the pandemic, which has since caused delays in processing.

“We addressed numerous administrative procedures that required collaboration to streamline the process,” Fernández Millán said.

He emphasized that bureaucratic hurdles have long been a challenge for the sector, and resolving two or three key issues in this meeting marked a significant breakthrough.