Mexico | Cancun

Mexico’s trucking industry celebrates achievements with eye on future

1 Oct 2024 · Prosperity

IRU member CANACAR’s national convention saw nearly 1,000 people come together in Cancun, Mexico. A highlight was the IRU North American Transportation Forum event on nearshoring trends in the region and the upcoming revision of the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

The 2024 National Convention of IRU member Camara Nacional del Autotransporte de Carga (CANACAR) kicked off with a call for continued unity and cooperation, as the organisation marked its 35th anniversary.

CANACAR celebrated the remarkable contributions of individuals and companies within the industry, recognising their dedication as the sector underwent extraordinary growth and transformation over recent years.

The trucking sector accounts for 3.5% of Mexico’s GDP. Truck operators transport 83% of domestic tonnage.

Miguel Ángel Martínez Millán, President of CANACAR, encouraged transport companies to continue expanding the industry, with a particular focus on the legacy they will leave behind for future generations.

In recognition of the excellence in Mexico’s trucking industry, IRU Vice-President Aslı Çalık presented the IRU Top Road Transport Manager Award to this year’s winners.

CANACAR also presented IRU with a special award in recognition of its long-standing support and contribution to Mexico’s growing road goods transport sector.

North American Transportation Forum

With the practice of nearshoring gaining traction and the revision of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade agreement being around the corner, IRU organised a high-level North American Transportation Forum roundtable on the impact of the American political and regulatory landscape going forward at the Convention.

The panellists – Bob Costello (Senior Vice-President, American Trucking Associations), Doug Romanuk (Senior Vice-President of Sales & Emerging Markets, Bison Transport) and Manuel Sotelo (Vice-President, CANACAR) – explored questions such as, how is nearshoring impacting trucking? What are the challenges and mitigation strategies? And how are trade agreements encouraging nearshoring?

https://www.iru.org/news-resources/newsroom/mexicos-trucking-industry-celebrates-achievements-eye-future 7

Mexico’s trucking industry celebrates achievements with eye on future 6

IRU Senior Adviser for the Americas, who moderated the panel, kicked off the discussion by first seeking input from the speakers on the political environment surrounding trade and road transport in all three countries.

Martin Rojas highlighted how the industry needs certainty, fluid borders and less overregulation, especially by local and state governments. He also stressed the need for a wide range of technologies and initiatives to cut carbon emissions.

The panellists underscored the need for improved border infrastructure – including non-intrusive technologies – with more inspectors, improved coordination among federal, state and provincial governments and policies, that increase operational certainty for motor carriers.

IRU will also host a webinar on nearshoring in North America and possible outcomes of the 2026 USMCA revision in 2026 on Tuesday 8 October 2024.

Presidential project

During the Convention, CANACAR’s President also highlighted the organisation’s ongoing work with the government as part of the newly elected President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo's national projects.

Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s proposals include maintaining current gasoline prices, investing in infrastructure and better securing Mexican roads.

“Having a woman as the head of the Executive Branch is a sign of change, evolution, equity and modernity,” said Miguel Ángel Martínez Millán.

He added that CANACAR is joining the president's national projects as it wants to play an active role in Mexico's economic future.

Mexico’s incoming Secretary of the Economy, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, participated in the Convention and expressed the importance of nearshoring and the need to successfully negotiate the revision of USMCA to provide operational and investment certainty to both manufacturers and road transport companies.