Earthquake in Mexico: Ports, Vessels and the Hidden Cost on Maritime Logistics

On January 2, 2026, a powerful 6.5-magnitude earthquake rattled central and southern Mexico, shaking the coastal city of Acapulco to Mexico City. It occurred in the early morning.

 The earthquake has deeper impact for maritime infrastructure and global trade flows.

Why Port Regions Matter in Earthquakes

Mexico’s Pacific coast is a major gateway for international trade, handling a significant portion of cargo moving between Asia, the Americas, and beyond. Ports like Manzanillo are critical to the supply chain, and any disruption there can have ripple effects around the world.

Below are the impact :-

• Pre-emptive operational suspensions at ports to inspect infrastructure

• Vessel holding patterns offshore waiting for clearance

• Container and truck movement delays inland

• Logistics scheduling disruptions due to checking structural integrity of facilities and access routes

In 2022, after a 7.6 magnitude quake in Mexico in 2022, Mexico’s largest container port — Manzanillo had to temporarily paused operations.