What Hutchison Ports ICAVE does

Hutchison Ports ICAVE (Internacional de Contenedores Asociados de Veracruz S.A. de C.V.) is a container terminal operator headquartered in Veracruz, Mexico, founded in 1993 and operating as a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited. It provides container handling, storage, transshipment, and integrated logistics services from a 42-hectare terminal supported by a 9-hectare logistics zone, a 16-hectare external depot, a 9,000 m² CFS warehouse, and 1,368 reefer container connections. The terminal is the only Mexican port with dual-railway connectivity, operating parallel spurs into both Ferrosur and CPKC networks across 1,368 meters of on-site track.

The company's digital stack centers on the SMARTPORT logistics platform — extended across all five Hutchison Ports Mexico business units — with MobilePort mobile applications (iOS and Android) for carrier and forwarder workflows, the CAM View web application for photographic gate evidence, and the Dexcarga logistics network for integrated forwarding. Container Care partnership delivers on-site container repair services. The customer base comprises nine named global ocean carriers (MSC, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, Evergreen, ZIM, COSCO, OOCL, ONE), freight forwarders, customs agents, importers, exporters, and the two rail operators.

Revenue is generated through transaction-based container handling fees, storage and reefer plug charges, empty container depot management fees, digital platform subscriptions via SMARTPORT, integrated logistics services through Dexcarga and Hutchison Logistics, and ancillary maintenance revenue via Container Care. The SBTi-validated Net-Zero by 2050 target and PROFEPA certification reflect ongoing investment in environmental compliance positioning for European carrier ESG mandates.

Name

Hutchison Ports ICAVE

Legal name

Internacional de Contenedores Asociados de Veracruz S.A. de C.V.

Website

https://hutchisonportsicave.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Hutchison Ports ICAVE operates a 42-hectare container terminal in Veracruz, Mexico, with unique dual-rail connectivity (Ferrosur and CPKC), serving nine global ocean carriers, freight forwarders, and rail operators via the SMARTPORT digital platform and integrated logistics services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Container Terminal Services

NAICS

Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Warehousing and Storage (493)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Terminal Cargo Handling & Yard Operations (Receiving, Staging, Delivery) (TLAHALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Stevedoring & Vessel Loading/Discharging (Ship-to-Shore Operations) (TLAHALAA), Warehousing, CFS & Bonded Storage for General Cargo (Within Terminal) (TLAHADAI), Inland Container Depots (ICD) / Inland Ports (TLALAJAB), Port Equipment Operations (Crane Operators, RTG/RMG, Straddle Carrier Operations) (TLAHALAE)

Keywords

• Container terminal operations
• Port logistics services
• Cargo handling services
• Container management platform
• Intermodal rail logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Veracruz

HQ country

Mexico

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Port Operations and Terminal Services: Revenue generated from cargo handling, loading and unloading, transshipment, storage, consolidation and deconsolidation, inspections, refrigerated container services, and special cargo handling at the container terminal.
2. Digital Platform Services: Services accessed through SMARTPORT and MobilePort platforms, including appointment scheduling, tracking, service programming, document management, and billing. Fees are applied per service acquired.
3. Empty Container Storage and Administration: Storage and management of empty containers at the container yard and external depot (ZAL and Terminal Santa Fe), including allocation services.
4. Integrated Logistics Services: Through partnerships with Container Care (repair and maintenance) and Dexcarga (transport), the company offers bundled logistics services generating revenue from the terminal's role as orchestrator.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hutchison Ports ICAVE operates a specialized container terminal at the Port of Veracruz, Mexico, providing container loading/unloading, transshipment, storage, consolidation and deconsolidation, refrigerated container handling, inspections, and special cargo handling services. Operations are supported by proprietary digital platforms including SMARTPORT (web-based logistics management for real-time tracking, scheduling, document management and billing), MobilePort (iOS/Android mobile app), and Dexcarga (transport logistics network connecting transporters, customs agents, and freight forwarders). The terminal includes a 9,000 m² CFS warehouse, 1,368 reefer connections, and rail connections to Ferrosur and CPKC.

Product overview

Hutchison Ports ICAVE operates as a specialized container terminal at Veracruz port offering both physical logistics services and a digital platform ecosystem. The core digital offerings consist of SMARTPORT (web-based logistics management platform for cargo operations), MOBILEPORT (mobile application for iOS and Android), and Dexcarga (transportation network connecting freight forwarders, customs agents, and transportistas). Physical services include container handling, transshipments, consolidations, refrigerated container services, and specialized cargo handling. Supporting infrastructure includes a 9,000 m2 CFS warehouse, partnership with Container Care for container maintenance, and Hutchison Logistics for broader supply chain services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartPort: Digital logistics platform for cargo management offering real-time tracking, vessel scheduling, container management, and service programming.
• MobilePort
• dexCarga

Products and services

• SMARTPORT Web-based digital logistics management platform enabling customers to perform operational and administrative transactions in real time from any device. Features include vessel itinerary tracking, container tracking, booking management, transport queries, maneuver status monitoring, empty container assignment, service scheduling, cargo release, transport quotation, appointment scheduling (CR WEB), pre-alerts, EIR download, document uploads, revalidation, transshipment management, VGM certificate generation, invoicing, rail itinerary, and MicroStrategy analytics.
• MobilePort Mobile application for iOS and Android providing real-time monitoring of vessel itineraries, container arrivals and departures, maneuver status, and company news and communications for port customers.
• Dexcarga Logistics network platform connecting transporters, customs agents, and freight forwarders to simplify and expedite cargo transportation to and from port terminals in Mexico.
• Container Terminal Operations Specialized container terminal services at the Port of Veracruz including loading/unloading of containers, transshipments, dock-to-yard transfers, truck delivery/reception, consolidations, inspections, refrigerated container handling with 4-hour inspection intervals, storage, empty container inspections, and special cargo handling (dangerous and oversized cargo). Backed by 42 hectares of terminal surface area and 9 additional hectares at the ZAL logistics zone.
• CFS Warehouse Services 9,000 m² warehouse for FCL and LCL consolidations and deconsolidations, with capacity for loose cargo storage and services including labeling, tagging, packing, and strapping. Includes dedicated delivery and reception docks.
• Container Care Repair and Maintenance Integrated container repair and maintenance services provided in partnership with Container Care at a specialized area within the terminal, including cleaning, pressure washing, painting, and motor maintenance to extend container service life.
• Rail Intermodal Services Intermodal rail container loading and unloading services at the Veracruz terminal connecting to Ferrosur and CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) railways via four rail spurs totaling 1,368 meters, with additional transfer capacity through the 16-hectare Terminal Santa Fe external depot featuring two 507-meter rail spurs.
• Empty Container Storage and Administration Reception, delivery, storage, and administration of empty containers at the dedicated 9-hectare Empty Container Yard (Patio de vacíos ZAL) in the Logistics Activity Zone and the Terminal Santa Fe external depot.
• Refrigerated Container Services Specialized area with 1,368 reefer container connections for refrigerated cargo handling, with 4-hour inspection intervals by specialized personnel to ensure continuous power supply and temperature control.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90.1 million TEU handled by Hutchison Ports global network in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SmartportcoreTechnology or IntegrationSMARTPORT is the proprietary digital logistics platform developed/provided by Hutchison Ports for cargo management, enabling real-time tracking, service scheduling, document management and billing. The platform is accessible at smartport.com.mx and serves as the primary digital interface for all customer interactions with the terminal.
• DexcargacoreTechnology or IntegrationDexcarga is a logistics network connecting transporters, customs agents, and freight forwarders to simplify and expedite cargo transportation to and from port terminals in Mexico. ICAVE directs transport operations through this platform to optimize routing and scheduling.
• Container CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContainer Care is the leading company in container maintenance and repair in Mexico, operating at ICAVE's specialized facility. The partnership provides integrated container repair and maintenance services (sweeping, pressure washing, painting, motor maintenance) to extend container lifespan, delivered within ICAVE's terminal premises.
• Hutchison LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHutchison Logistics, part of the Hutchison Ports group, provides comprehensive logistics services aimed at helping customers gain visibility, plan effectively, execute precisely and trade profitably through supply chain rationalization.
• FerrosurcoreOthersFerrosur is one of the two railway operators providing rail access at Veracruz port. ICAVE has 4 railway spurs totaling 1,368m for container loading and unloading via Ferrosur, enabling intermodal connectivity to central Mexico.
• CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City)coreOthersCPKC is one of the two railway operators providing rail access at Veracruz port (accessed via FFCC module on SMARTPORT). Together with Ferrosur, CPKC makes Veracruz the only Mexican port with dual-railway connectivity.
• LCT (LC Terminal Portuaria de Contenedores)coreOthersLCT is a Hutchison Ports business unit in Mexico operating a container terminal at Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan. LCT is part of the five Hutchison Ports business units in Mexico (alongside ICAVE, TIMSA, EIT, and TILH) that share the SMARTPORT platform.
• TIMSA (Terminales Intermodales de México)coreOthersTIMSA is a Hutchison Ports business unit in Mexico operating at Manzanillo, Colima. TIMSA is part of the five Hutchison Ports business units in Mexico sharing the SMARTPORT platform.
• EIT (Ensenada International Terminal)coreOthersEIT is a Hutchison Ports business unit in Mexico operating at Ensenada, Baja California. EIT is part of the five Hutchison Ports business units in Mexico sharing the SMARTPORT platform.
• TILH (Terminal Intermodal Logística de Hidalgo)coreOthersTILH is a Hutchison Ports advanced logistics facility in Hidalgo, Mexico, integrating and facilitating efficient cargo exchange between transport modes, leveraging Hidalgo's exceptional connectivity to the national rail network and modern interstate highways.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas: Operated by A.P. Moller-Maersk, this is ICAVE's most direct competitor in Mexico for containerized cargo. Operates a major greenfield deep-water terminal at Lazaro Cardenas with comparable technology stack and serves the same central Mexican hinterland.
• DP World: Global container terminal operator with presence across multiple continents. Competes with Hutchison Ports in international liner service markets, with comparable investments in terminal automation and digital customer platforms.
• Hutchison Ports LCT: Sister Hutchison Ports Mexico terminal at Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan, a deep-water Pacific port. Directly competes with ICAVE for Asian liner services and central Mexican hinterland cargo, using the same SMARTPORT platform and integrated Hutchison Logistics offering.
• Hutchison Ports TIMSA: Sister Hutchison Ports Mexico terminal at Manzanillo, Mexico's busiest container port. Operates the same SMARTPORT platform and shares digital infrastructure, but competes with ICAVE for liner service calls across Mexican containerized cargo.
• SSA Mexico (SSA Marine): US-based port operator with Mexican terminal operations (including at Manzanillo and Veracruz-area facilities). Directly competes for container liner service calls in Mexico with similar handling capabilities and digital booking platforms.
• Hutchison Ports EIT: Sister Hutchison Ports Mexico terminal at Ensenada, Baja California. Serves a different geographic niche (Pacific Northwest Mexico/US border flows) but uses identical SMARTPORT digital infrastructure and shared back-office capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• COSCO Shipping Ports: Hong Kong-based global port operator, part of COSCO Shipping. Operates terminals across multiple continents including a presence in Mexico via the Piraeus and other global hubs; competes for the same global liner service customers.
• ICTSI (International Container Terminal Services): Philippines-headquartered global container terminal operator with terminals in emerging markets including Mexico (Port of Manzanillo ICTSI). Operates similar digital customer platforms and competes for the same liner service customers in Mexico.
• PSA International: Singapore-headquartered global port operator and one of the largest container terminal operators worldwide. Operates across multiple geographies but does not have a direct Mexican footprint; competes indirectly via global liner alliance relationships.
• APM Terminals (Global): Maersk-owned global terminal operator with terminals across 60+ countries. Comparable in digital platform sophistication and customer base to ICAVE/Hutchison, but operates at much greater global scale and competes directly in Mexico via the Lazaro Cardenas terminal.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/HutchisonPortsMéxico
• Facebookfacebook.com/HPICAVE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hutchison-ports-icave

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Hutchison Ports ICAVE