Ferromex

What Ferromex does

Ferromex (Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A. de C.V.) is Mexico's largest freight railway operator and a subsidiary of Grupo México Transportes (GMXT), the transportation arm of Grupo México. The company operates an 11,000 km rail network connecting 13 ports and 6 border crossings, with a fleet of 890 locomotives, 35,473 rail cars, and 2.9 million horsepower — the largest such fleet in Mexico. In 2024, Ferromex reported USD $3,197M in sales and USD $1,432M in EBITDA, moving 1.9 million rail cars and 65,400 million tonne-kilometers of cargo across agricultural, intermodal, cement, energy, chemicals and fertilizers, automotive, metals and minerals, and industrial products verticals. The company also operates ancillary passenger tourism services (Chepe Express and Tequila Express) and social-impact rail programs such as Dr. Vagón, El Tren de la Salud.

Ferromex monetizes primarily through transaction-based freight tariffs registered with Mexico's Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), supplemented by auxiliary fees (demurrage, storage, platform rights, change of destination, documentation changes, re-invoicing, and locomotive rental) and optional cargo insurance. A fuel adjustment mechanism, pegged to a rolling 30-day average diesel price (40.5% effective July 1, 2026 at $22.575/liter), is applied to base tariffs. The core technology stack is a railway operations infrastructure overlaid with proprietary digital systems — e-Ferromex (service contracting and empty-car requests), eBOL via Wabtec's RailConnect (electronic bill of lading), RVP (unit localization), and FSRR (platform release) — plus customer-facing calculators for carbon emissions, distances, and fuel adjustments. Tariffs are publicly disclosed on ferromex.mx under "Cuotas por servicios diversos" and "Factores de cobro vigentes."

Ferromex runs a hybrid go-to-market: dedicated account executives and commercial account executives manage large enterprise shippers, while mid-market and SMB customers are served via the 800-3377-663 customer service line (with segmented options for sales, customer service, and e-Ferromex advisory) and email channels such as [email protected]. Most clients can self-serve through the e-Ferromex web portal. The railway interchanges with Ferrosur (a sibling subsidiary within GMXT) and connects into the U.S. and Canadian rail networks through six border crossings. The brand's legal entity holds a Mexican government railway concession, and recent governance activity includes a documented CEO change, a concession title amendment, and the addressing of 2025 CNBV observations.

Name

Ferromex

Legal name

Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A. de C.V.

Website

https://ferromex.mx

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Ferromex is Mexico's largest freight railway operator, running an 11,000 km network with 890 locomotives and 35,473 rail cars; it moves industrial, intermodal, energy, and agricultural cargo across 13 ports and 6 border crossings for enterprise and mid-market shippers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rail Freight Transportation

NAICS

Line-Haul Railroads (482111)

SIC

Railroads, Line-Haul Operating (4011), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Railroad Switching & Terminal Establishments (4013)

akta.pro primary industry

Unit Train & Dedicated Contract Rail Services (TLADACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cross-Border Rail Freight Operators (International Corridors) (TLADACAL), Industrial Minerals & Chemicals (Non-Haz Bulk Powders) Transport (TLADAKAJ), Minerals & Ores Transport (Iron Ore/Bauxite/Phosphate) (TLADAKAE), Liquid Hazmat / Chemical Tank Transport (DOT/ADR tankers) (TLADAIAB), Rail Transportation of Crude & Refined Products (EUALADAI)

Keywords

• Freight rail transportation
• Intermodal cargo services
• Rail freight logistics
• Bulk commodity transport
• Passenger rail tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Miguel Hidalgo

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Freight Rail Transportation Services: Core revenue from transporting cargo via railway across Mexico. Services include domestic and international freight, intermodal, agricultural, metals, minerals, cement, petroleum, fertilizers, chemicals, industrial products, and automotive cargo. Revenue is generated through tariffs for cargo transport (flete) and is registered with the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT).
2. Various/Diverse Services: Auxiliary services including demurrage charges, storage/warehouse fees, platform rights, change of destination, documentation changes, re-invoicing services, and locomotive rental. These services are charged according to tariffs registered with SICT and can be generated by customer actions or requests.
3. Passenger Tourism: Revenue from tourist passenger train services including Chepe Express (tourist train in northwest Mexico) and Tequila Express (weekend service from Guadalajara to Tequila). These are ancillary services leveraging the rail network for tourism experiences.
4. Cargo Insurance Services: Optional cargo insurance offered as part of transport services, providing coverage for declared value of merchandise in case of loss or damage during transport, with corresponding insurance premiums.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ferromex (Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A. de C.V.) operates Mexico's largest freight railway network, spanning 11,000 km of track connecting 13 ports and 6 border crossings. The company transports cargo across multiple industrial verticals including agricultural, intermodal, cement, energy, chemicals, automotive, and metals using a fleet of 890 locomotives and 35,473 rail cars. Ferromex also offers digital self-service tools (e-Ferromex, eBOL, RVP, FSRR) and operates passenger tourism services including Chepe Express and Tequila Express.

Product overview

Ferromex operates as Mexico's largest freight railway operator, offering a comprehensive rail-based logistics platform. The core offering consists of the Ferromex Railway Network spanning 11,000 km, supported by the e-Ferromex digital platform for online service contracting and management. The company provides specialized web services including eBOL for electronic documentation, RVP for unit localization and empty car requests, and FSRR for platform release. Additional digital tools include Carbon Calculator, Distance Calculation, and Fuel Adjustment calculators. Ferromex also operates two distinct tourism services—Chepe Express through Copper Canyon and Tequila Express from Guadalajara to Tequila—along with cargo insurance and various auxiliary services for industrial customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tequila Express: Passenger train service departing from Guadalajara to Tequila town, operating Friday to Sunday
• Chepe Express
• Dr. Vagón, El Tren de la Salud
• Green Train Car

Products and services

• Rail Freight Transportation Services Core rail cargo transport service covering domestic and international freight across Mexico via the 11,000 km network. Serves agricultural, intermodal, cement, energy, chemicals, automotive, metals/minerals, and industrial product shippers. Tariffs registered with the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT).
• e-Ferromex Online Platform Web-based consultation and service contracting system allowing customers to request empty cars, generate waybills (eBOL), track units, and notify unloading online. Reduces reliance on manual processes for shippers and consignees.
• eBOL Electronic Documentation Service Electronic bill of lading service for rail cargo, integrated through Wabtec's RailConnect platform. Enables electronic creation and management of shipping documentation for rail freight customers.
• Cargo Insurance Service Optional cargo insurance offered alongside transport services, providing coverage for declared merchandise value in case of loss or damage during rail transport. Offered to shippers using Ferromex transport contracts.
• Chepe Express Tourist Train Tourist passenger train service operating through the Copper Canyon in northwestern Mexico, offering scenic rail journeys with panoramic views and onboard amenities. Targeted at domestic and international travelers.
• Tequila Express Tourist Train Passenger train service running Friday through Sunday from Guadalajara to the magical town of Tequila, featuring luxury accommodations, gastronomy, and panoramic views of the agave landscape. Targeted at tourists and leisure travelers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rail transport is 3.5 times less polluting than road transport
• +3 more outcomes

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TRANSCAERcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Ferromex formally joined TRANSCAER in 2022, a cross-border North American initiative to educate, assist, and train communities and first responders for emergencies involving hazardous materials. The partnership strengthens local first responders through free training sessions, creates tools and support channels, and organizes emergency response drills.
• Fundación Grupo MéxicocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Fundación Grupo México created Dr. Vagón, El Tren de la Salud (The Health Train) in 2014 with Ferromex's support. It is a mobile clinic train providing free medical services to remote communities. Dr. Vagón operates with 18 cars and a team of 65 healthcare professionals across 23 Mexican states.
• Operation LifesavercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFerromex collaborates with Operation Lifesaver through the Mexican Railway Association. This North American organization (present in Mexico, the US, and Canada) aims to reduce collisions, accidents, and fatalities at railway level crossings. Ferromex promotes road safety through its annual 'Beware of the Train' campaign.
• Wabtec (RailConnect)coreTechnology or IntegrationFerromex integrates with Wabtec's RailConnect platform to offer eBOL (electronic bill of lading) documentation services. RVP localization and empty car request web services are also accessed through Wabtec's one.wabtec.com platform.
• Mexican Railway AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFerromex participates in the Mexican Railway Association (Asociación Mexicana de Ferrocarriles) which coordinates industry-wide safety initiatives including collaboration with Operation Lifesaver for level crossing safety campaigns.
• Ferrosur, S.A. de C.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFerrosur is jointly referenced in Ferromex's Carta de Porte (Bill of Lading) contract. Both companies (Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A. de C.V. Ferromex and Ferrosur, S.A. de C.V.) operate under the same transport contract terms, share network infrastructure, and interchange traffic. Both are subsidiaries of Grupo México Transportes (GMXT).

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• BNSF Railway: One of the largest North American Class I freight railroads, part of Berkshire Hathaway. Comparable to Ferromex in long-haul line-haul operations, large fleet, intermodal services, and connections to Mexican cross-border traffic through southwestern US gateways.
• Union Pacific Railroad: Largest US Class I freight railroad with western US network connecting directly to Mexico via El Paso and other border crossings. Comparable to Ferromex in freight rail operations, asset-heavy model, and intermodal/automotive segment exposure through cross-border interchange.
• CSX Transportation: US Class I freight railroad serving the eastern US with intermodal and bulk commodity services. Comparable to Ferromex in line-haul freight rail operations, diversified cargo mix, and investment in digital customer self-service tools for car ordering and tracking.
• Norfolk Southern: US Class I railroad operating in the eastern half of the US with cross-border intermodal connections to Mexico. Comparable to Ferromex in freight rail scale, intermodal and automotive segment exposure, and enterprise sales motion to large industrial customers.
• Canadian National Railway (CN): Canadian Class I railroad with extensive North American network including connections into Mexico via interline partners. Comparable to Ferromex in long-distance line-haul operations, commodity mix (grain, minerals, intermodal), and digital customer platforms.

Direct peers

• Ferrosur: Sister freight railway under Grupo México Transportes (GMXT), operating in southeastern Mexico. Ferrosur shares network infrastructure, interchange traffic, and contract terms (jointly referenced in Carta Porte) with Ferromex, making it the most directly comparable peer despite the parent relationship.
• Kansas City Southern de México (KCSM): Mexico's second-largest freight railroad (now part of CPKC), operating a competing north-south corridor with direct port and border connections. Directly competes with Ferromex for cross-border intermodal, automotive, and industrial freight on overlapping Mexican lanes.
• Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC): North American Class I railroad formed via the CPKC merger, connecting Canada, the US, and Mexico through KCSM. CPKC is the most direct cross-border competitor to Ferromex's six border crossings and competes head-to-head for USMCA freight corridors.

Emerging players

• Schneider National: US-based intermodal and logistics provider with significant cross-border Mexico operations. Comparable as a competitor in intermodal container services connecting Mexican manufacturing with US markets, though operating via trucking and rail-leasing rather than owned rail infrastructure.

Others

• Grupo México Transportes (GMXT): Direct parent of Ferromex and Ferrosur, the transportation division of Grupo México. While Ferromex is the operating subsidiary, GMXT holds the broader portfolio and provides the corporate, financial, and strategic context for evaluating Ferromex.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FerromexOficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/FerromexOficial
• Instagraminstagram.com/ferromex_oficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ferromex

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ferromex