Hurricane Simon Forces Suspension of Operations at Port of Manzanillo

Hurricane Simon, moving through the Mexican Pacific as a Category 2 storm, prompted adjustments to operations at terminals and logistics yards at the port of Manzanillo. Companies operating at the facility implemented scheduled suspensions, appointment rescheduling and temporary restrictions on container dispatch to protect staff and port users and to prevent congestion at port access points ahead of the weekend.

Contecon Manzanillo announced the suspension of its operations on Saturday, October 10, with resumption expected on Monday, October 12, and enabled its web portal for users to schedule appointments for deliveries, receipts and pre-gate services. Granelera Manzanillo will halt rail equipment loading from 00:00 on Saturday until 08:00 on Monday. SSA Marine México suspended the assignment of new appointments for full and empty containers, handling exports and empty container receipt until 15:59 on Friday and import deliveries until 23:59 that same day, with vessel service at the TEC I and OCUPA terminals continuing until 15:59 on Friday. Hutchison Ports TIMSA applied a similar scheme, suspending new appointments from the afternoon of October 9 and honoring previously scheduled appointments until the same cutoff times, with the terminal closed throughout the day on Saturday.

The restrictions also extended to the landside movement of containers. The Land Traffic Control Center of the Manzanillo Port Community (Copoma) requested that dispatch of full and empty containers to the southern zone be postponed until 21:00, with the aim of reducing the buildup of units and avoiding further congestion at outer access points, and indicated it would advise if movements could resume ahead of schedule.

According to Mexico's National Meteorological Service (SMN), on the morning of October 9 Hurricane Simon was located about 345 kilometers south of Manzanillo and 515 kilometers south-southeast of Cabo Corrientes, with sustained winds of 150 km/h, gusts of 185 km/h, and moving northwest at 7 km/h. The National Water Commission (Conagua), in its 09:30 report on Friday, recorded sustained winds of 155 km/h and gusts of 195 km/h, and authorities expect the storm to intensify to Category 3 or 4 in the coming hours. In light of this outlook, ASIPONA Manzanillo advised the public to stay informed, follow official guidance and take precautions against possible flooding and waterlogging from heavy rainfall.

The storm also disrupted cruise itineraries along the Pacific coast. Royal Caribbean canceled Voyager of the Seas' scheduled call at Puerto Vallarta on October 13 and diverted the ship to Cabo San Lucas, while Virgin Voyages replaced Brilliant Lady's stops at Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlán with visits to Santa Barbara, San Diego and Ensenada. Princess Cruises also canceled a call by Discovery Princess at Mazatlán on October 8, as the U.S. National Hurricane Center reported that Simon had weakened to Category 2, with maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour.