Puerto Morelos Expansion Fails Due to Unbreakable Rock

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo — The Puerto Morelos fiscal zone has been ruled out as a potential deep-water port after authorities determined that expanding its draft to accommodate larger vessels is unfeasible. The plan, which aimed to increase the port’s capacity to handle up to 20,000 annual containers and bolster maritime supply chains for Quintana Roo, faced insurmountable obstacles due to a rock obstructing the navigation channel.

Diamond Wire Cutting Method Fails

Vagner Elbiorn Vega, director of the Port Administration of Quintana Roo (PAPIQROO), confirmed that the proposed "diamond wire cutting" technique—intended to slice through the rock without environmental disruption—proved ineffective. Despite securing an Environmental Impact Assessment (MIA) from Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), experts concluded the rock’s density made the method impractical.

“Tests with diamond wire cutting showed it wouldn’t work. The rock is too strong, and the budget required would be prohibitive. It would take years to chip away piece by piece,” Vega stated. “The only efficient solution would be implosion, but we will not pursue that.”

Economic Implications for Quintana Roo

The expansion was intended to lower costs for goods transported to Quintana Roo, particularly for the tourism industry, by shifting reliance from pricier land-based shipments to more economical maritime routes. Vega emphasized that Puerto Morelos, though equipped for foreign trade, lacks the draft to service larger ships needed to meet regional demand.

Quintana Roo currently operates six maritime ports—Puerto Juárez, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, and Bacalar—none of which can handle deep-draft vessels.

Governor Lezama’s Alternative Plan

With the Puerto Morelos expansion abandoned, Governor Mara Lezama has prioritized constructing a new deep-water port in northern Quintana Roo. Punta Venado, another potential site, was dismissed due to an ongoing legal dispute with the federal government. Vega noted the project would complement the Port of Progreso in Yucatán, which primarily handles bulk cargo and fuels.

“We need ships that can supply hotels and entertainment venues, with routes from South America and Europe. A deep-water port in Quintana Roo is crucial, and we’re evaluating the best location,” Vega added.

The search for a viable site continues as the state seeks to strengthen its maritime infrastructure.