New Deep-Water Port Planned Near Puerto Morelos

Chetumal, Mexico — Following widespread political and social opposition to the proposed construction of a fourth pier in Cozumel, the director of Quintana Roo’s Integral Port Administration (Apiqroo), Vagner Elbiorn Vega, confirmed plans to instead develop a deep-water port near Puerto Morelos in an area known as Punta Brava.

Shift in Infrastructure Strategy

Elbiorn Vega revealed that the state government allocated approximately three million pesos to a private firm for a pre-feasibility study assessing the viability of the Punta Brava project. “We conducted extensive research across central and southern regions to identify the most suitable location for a deep-water port, and Punta Brava emerged as the ideal site,” he stated.

According to Elbiorn Vega, the study yielded favorable legal and environmental assessments. Between July and December 2025, Apiqroo will engage with federal agencies—including the Ministry of Environment (Semarnat), the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa), the Interior Ministry, the Economy Ministry, and the Navy—to finalize plans and conduct further studies.

Formal Withdrawal of Cozumel Pier Proposal

The director emphasized that Governor Mara Lezama’s administration has no intention of proceeding with the contested fourth pier in Cozumel. Two weeks prior, Apiqroo formally requested the National Merchant Marine Directorate to remove the project from the state’s five-year infrastructure plan.

Elbiorn Vega downplayed the significance of the pier’s inclusion in the master plan, clarifying that such documents outline potential—not finalized—projects. “This proposal carried over from two prior administrations. Former Apiqroo director Alicia Ricalde left it pending, but we’ve taken steps to eliminate it entirely to avoid misunderstandings,” he explained. He anticipates the Cozumel pier will be formally scrapped within 45 days.

Project Timeline and Next Steps

The Punta Brava port initiative marks a pivot toward expanding maritime infrastructure in northern Quintana Roo. Authorities aim to secure federal approvals by year’s end, with subsequent phases focusing on detailed environmental and engineering evaluations.

The decision follows sustained criticism from environmental groups, local businesses, and opposition lawmakers, who argued the Cozumel pier would exacerbate overtourism and ecological damage to the island’s coral reefs.