Progreso (Merida, Yucatan Mexico)

Progreso is a port city in the Yucatan state of Mexico. The port is located on the Gulf of Mexico (Caribbean Sea) in the state's northwestern part, approx 30 km (17 mi) highway distance north of Merida (Yucatan's capital and largest city). By population (around 40,000) Progreso is ranked Yucatan's 6th-largest town. The surrounding municipality covers an area of 270 km2 (104 mi2) and has total population around 50,000. The municipality also includes Scorpion Reef (with its 5 isles) located to the north, approx 130 km (80 mi). Federal Highway 180 links Progreso (via Merida) directly to Cancun (Quintana Roo) located approx 310 km / 190 mi to the east.

The port serves mainly the container shipping, cruise tourism and fishing industries. Progreso is one of the Caribbean's newest cruise ports with capacity to handle the world's largest passenger vessels. The town is also known as a balneario resort destination. Shore excursions in Progreso offer travel to Merida and the Mayan archaeological sites Dzibilchaltun (approx 16 km / 10 mi north Merida), Uxmal (approx 62 km / 39 mi south of Merida) and Chichen Itza (in Tinum Municipality, approx 115 km / 71 mi from Merida).

Puerto Progreso (locode MXPGO) is managed (leased by) APM Terminals Yucatan - subsidiary of APM Terminals (1001-founded, The Hague Holland-based international container terminal operator). In 2016-2018, the terminal nearly doubled its TEU-container volumes - from 80,000 to 140,000 TEUs. In 2019 was expected further growth of 20-35%.

Progreso Container Terminal handles 5 boxships per week and serves direct shipping lines connecting Mexico with USA and Europe. In August 2019, the company announced a major development project (budgeted USD 22,6 million) to expand (by 20%) and modernize port's container terminal. The facility is served by 82 employees and generates ~1000 indirect/logistics-related jobs.

During season 2019, the cruise port handled a total of 142 ship calls and ~465,000 tourists. Based on confirmed berth bookings, port's cruise traffic in 2020 grew by ~1/5 - to 187 ship calls. In 2020 through 2021, MSC Cruises (newcomer company) added via MSC Armonia 41 port calls with estimated ~96,000 passengers plus ~30,000 crew. Ship's ever-first visit to Puerto Progreso was planned for November 27 (2020).

In early-December 2019, Port Progreso commissioned a Terex Gottwald mobile harbour crane (model G-HMK 5506). The new crane has height 36 m (118 ft), boom 51 m (167 ft) and lifting capacity 125 tons.

Progreso Pier

Progreso is best known for having the world's longest pier (raised in the sea structure supported by piles or pillars). The bridge-looking pier has the staggering length of 6,5 km (4 mi) and was built using reinforced concrete and stainless steel (containing nickel). Its unusual length allows docking of large vessels as the coastal waters of Yucatan are very shallow. Cruise ship passengers are disembarked at the cruise terminal (located at end of the pier), then transported via free shuttle buses (alternatively taxi cabs) to the town.

Originally, Progreso Pier had length 2,1 km (1,3 mi). It was constructed in the period 1937-1941. In 1988, 4 km (2,5 mi) was added to increase its vessel handling capacity.

On November 24, 2020, the Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri signed a LoI (letter of intent) with Yucatan State's Ministry of Economic Development and Labour to participate in designing and construction of a new shipyard in Puerto Progreso. The new facility will have 2 drydocks (planned to be the Americas' largest) with capacity to handle ships with max LOA length 400 m (1312 ft), including passenger ships, cargo ships and oil-gas carriers. Other facilities include offices, workshops, warehouses, gantry cranes and special equipment.

Fincantieri's Progreso Shipyard will specialize in ship repairs, vessel conversion projects and general maintenance services. By this deal, Fincantieri will receive a 40-year concession for the shipyard's exclusive management. Construction works are scheduled to start in 2021-H1. When fully operational (in 2027), the shipyard will support 700 full-time jobs (up to 2500 during larger projects).

Progreso cruise terminal