Progreso, Yucatán — The Yucatán government announced the completion of the first phase of dredging at the Progreso deep-water port and the start of a second modernization stage, part of a broader effort to strengthen the state’s logistics and port infrastructure.
Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena led an event at the port on Saturday, highlighting that the project aims to increase operational capacity to boost trade, tourism, investment, and job creation.
The second phase will involve a private investment of 948 million pesos (about $47 million) from SSA Marine Mexico. Funds will go toward expanding the cruise terminal, additional dredging, and upgrades to accommodate larger vessels.
The first phase, completed on schedule, involved a state public investment of 1.63 billion pesos and the dredging of more than 1.412 million cubic meters of material from the navigation channel. As a result, the channel depth increased from 11.75 meters to 13.30 meters, its width expanded from 150 to 180 meters, and its length grew from 7.4 to 8.1 kilometers.
Díaz Mena said the project is part of a development strategy to boost Yucatán’s competitiveness through strategic infrastructure. He added that the third expansion phase, led by the Mexican Navy, is already in the bidding process.
Manuel Fernández Pérez, CEO of SSA Marine Mexico, explained that the new phase will further deepen the channel and extend the berthing length from 332 to 450 meters, enabling the port to receive larger cruise ships. The port currently handles about 450,000 passengers annually, a figure that could exceed one million after the upgrades. The company has also set aside 285 million pesos for terminal improvements and passenger experience enhancements.
Jorge Carlos Tobilla Rodríguez, director general of the National Port System Administration Progreso (Asipona), credited the first-phase progress to coordinated work among agencies and said the project will deliver a more modern port capable of meeting global economic demands.
Authorities described the modernization as a joint effort between state and federal governments and the private sector to strengthen port infrastructure and position Yucatán as a strategic hub for commerce and tourism in southeastern Mexico.
