Port of Eagle Pass, Texas, fastest-growing border crossing within the U.S.
EAGLE PASS, Texas — One U.S.-Mexico border crossing has experienced essentially the most rapid trade growth for the reason that starting of the 12 months: the Port of Eagle Pass.
The port is the fastest-growing major port among the many nation’s 450 airports, seaports and border crossings, in keeping with Census Bureau data analyzed by WorldCity.
“No other border crossings are growing at the speed of Eagle Pass,” Ken Roberts, CEO of Miami-based WorldCity, said on the 4th annual Port of Eagle Pass Trade Summit on Thursday.
The Port of Eagle Pass consists of a rail and vehicle bridge connecting it to Piedras Negras, Mexico. Eagle Pass is a city of about 28,255, in keeping with the 2020 U.S. Census. It’s situated about 140 miles southwest of San Antonio.
Eagle Pass has recorded greater than $11.37 billion in trade from January through March, a 22% year-over-year increase in comparison with the identical period last 12 months. In 2023, the Port of Eagle Pass recorded a complete of $37.14 billion in two-way trade with the world.
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While Eagle Pass was the fastest-growing border crossing within the U.S., Port Laredo, Texas, stays the No. 1 ranked port within the country. From January through March, Laredo recorded a 2% year-over-year increase in two-way trade with the world to $79.8 billion.
Driving the Port of Eagle Pass’ growth in 2024 are imports of economic vehicles ($2.5 billion), passenger vehicles ($2 billion) and beer ($906 million). The port’s top exports 12 months thus far are auto parts ($307 million), gasoline ($289 million) and soybeans ($215 million).
“The primary reason that I’ve seen the expansion in Eagle Pass previously two years, specifically since September 2021, is expounded to rail,” Ben Escarcega, director of contract logistics and transportation at Yusen Logistics, said in the course of the summit.
Escarcega was a part of a panel discussion titled “The Way forward for Eagle Pass Automotive Exports and Imports.” Yusen Logistics is a Tokyo-based global freight forwarding company that gives warehousing, distribution and supply-chain services.
For the primary three months of 2024, imports of passenger vehicles from Mexico to the U.S. through the Port of Eagle Pass rose 110% 12 months over 12 months.
“When Canadian Pacific, Kansas City Southern and Kansas City Southern de Mexico merged, that made a big impact available in the market,” Escarcega said. “Then Union Pacific aligned with Ferromex, which I consider to be the largest reason for the expansion of the border region here in Eagle Pass.”
Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern officially merged in April 2023, forming CPKC (NYSE: CP). The combined network spans across each coasts of Canada, traversing through the U.S. Midwest, and reaches several points in Mexico, including the Port of Lazaro Cardenas on Mexico’s Pacific coast. CPKC has said the network offers single-line service to shippers.
Concerning the same time the CPKC merger was finalized, Union Pacific Railroad (NYSE: UNP) announced a brand new line called Falcon Premium Intermodal Service. The intermodal service is a partnership with CN (NYSE: CNI) and Grupo Mexico’s Ferromex rail service, creating connecting points in Mexico and Canada through Eagle Pass and Chicago.
“Now Yusen uses the [Port of Eagle Pass] greater than ever, especially for these commodities,” Escarcega said. “The presence of Union Pacific and particularly to the investment Union Pacific has made here in Eagle Pass, in addition to in San Antonio, goes to proceed to support this port. Ferromex is the one rail connecting Piedras Negras to Eagle Pass. That relationship is paramount to the expansion of this port now and moving forward.”
Union Pacific and track tenant BNSF Railway currently operate 15 to 18 trains day by day across the Eagle Pass-Piedras Negras International Railway Bridge.
A second rail and truck bridge has been proposed in Eagle Pass, a project generally known as the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge. It might construct a second cross-border rail and truck freight bridge between Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, adding more freight capability to the port.
To maintain its momentum growing, real estate expert Carlo Molano said the Port of Eagle Pass must stay focused on the commodities which are already flowing through the region.
“Don’t chase after one other city, don’t chase Laredo, don’t chase San Antonio; you’ve your individual strengths. You’ve gotten to have a look at your strengths and your weaknesses, understand them and play off of them. Don’t attempt to turn into something that you just’re not. Grow to be a greater version of who you might be,” Molano said during a panel discussion titled “The Way forward for Eagle Pass Industrial Real Estate.”
Port of Brownsville snags Westa flour mill
Westa Inc. plans to speculate $20 million to construct a wheat flour mill on the Port of Brownsville, the port recently announced.
Westa will develop greater than 10 acres on the Port of Brownsville Business Park, becoming the park’s first tenant. The ability will employ 120 people.
“The Port of Brownsville’s strategic location, world-class facilities, and commitment to reliable service make it the perfect partner for our expansion plans,” Zaur Kafkas, president of Westa Inc., said in a news release.
Kafkas told World-Grain.com that the primary phase of construction for the flour mill will likely be accomplished in 2025.
The Port of Brownsville Business Park will likely be on the turning basin of the Brownsville Ship Channel. The park is scheduled to open by the tip of the 12 months.
Westa Inc. is a wholesaler within the food industry, specializing in food products and agricultural commodities. The corporate has corporate offices in Miami and Toronto.
Siete Leguas Automotive opens $54 million factory in Durango, Mexico
Siete Leguas Automotive recently opened its second auto-parts factory in the town of Gomez Palacios, within the Mexican state of Durango.
The $54 million facility will produce auto parts for original equipment manufacturers reminiscent of Caterpillar Inc., John Deere, Suzuki Motor Corp., BRP Inc. and Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies.
The brand new facility will create 300 jobs, bringing the entire workforce to almost 500 employees between the 2 plants.
Siete Leguas Automotive relies in Gomez Palacio and was founded in 2018.
CBP intercepts $18 million price of meth in shipment of squash
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers recently discovered 11,469 kilos of methamphetamine in a truck on the Otay Mesa port of entry, just south of San Diego.
The case occurred Monday when CBP officers were checking a tractor-trailer from Mexico carrying a shipment of squash.
Officers found 1,419 packages concealed inside the shipment of squash, containing $18 million price of methamphetamine.
CBP officers seized the narcotics and the tractor-trailer. The driving force was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.
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