Kansas City Southern de México (KCSM) led the growth of rail freight movement among the three main railroad lines in 2022, according to data from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT).
KCSM increased at an inter-annual rate of 7.6% this indicator, to 47 million 592,000 tons.
Ferrocarril Mexicano (Ferromex) increased its cargo movement 2.4% to 61 million 353,000 tons, followed by Ferrosur, with a 0.2% increase to 15 million 013,000 tons.
The Mexican railroad system is comprised of six private concessionaires and seven public assignees.
The private concessionaires are: KCSM, Ferromex, Ferrosur, Terminal y Ferrocarriles del Valle de México (Ferrovalle), Línea Coahuila-Durango (LCD) and Ferrocarril Suburbano (Ferrocarril Suburbano).
The public assignees are: Government of the State of Baja California-Administradora de la vía corta Tijuana-Tecate (Admicarga), Government of the State of Puebla (Tren Turístico Puebla-Cholula), Ferrocarril del Istmo de Tehuantepec (FIT), Government of the State of Nuevo León, Government of the State of Jalisco, FONADIN, and FONATUR Tren Maya.
In total, the movement of cargo by rail in Mexico was 128 million 455,000 tons, an increase of 2.6% at annual rate.
KCSM
According to information from the U.S. Department of Commerce, in February 2021, some of the main concessionaires announced a joint investment of between 520 and 530 million dollars in Mexico.
Half of these resources will be allocated to locomotive and infrastructure maintenance works, and the other half to growth projects in key regions, particularly in the north of the country.
To expand freight capacity, rail companies have reinforced tracks and adopted double rail.
There are only five countries where double-stack is used to improve freight capacity: Mexico, the United States, Canada, Panama and Australia.
According to the SICT, the railroad sector continues to concentrate its efforts on expanding and strengthening the railroad network, seeking to reduce operating costs, reduce travel times, improve safety and reliability for users.
It is also intended that this means of transportation will increase the country’s level of competitiveness, due to its characteristic as a sustainable and sustainable means of transportation for both cargo and passengers, and that it can create high economic and social value in the different areas of the country where it is implemented.
