Shipping’s Energy Transition: Strategic Opportunities in Mexico

Mexico is positioned to leverage its abundant renewable energy potential to produce green fuels for international shipping, potentially attracting $1.9-2.7 billion USD in onshore infrastructure investment by 2030. The report identifies the Port of Manzanillo, the El Bajío industry hub, and Baja California as strategic opportunities for SZEF deployment. However, the transition is hindered by a political focus on fossil fuels and a lack of a national hydrogen strategy. Recommendations include updating national climate policies, establishing a hydrogen roadmap, and developing green shipping corridors through the Clydebank Declaration.

• Mexico's maritime activities accounted for approximately 2.9% of its 2018 National GHG emissions.
• Mexico has the potential to produce between 932 and 4,992 Terawatt hours per year (TWh/y) of renewable energy by 2030, which far exceeds the estimated 3.4 TWh/y required if 5% of the global fleet transitions to SZEF by 2030.
• Developing green fuel infrastructure for the shipping sector could attract between $37-53 billion MXN ($1.9-2.7 billion USD) in onshore infrastructure investment by 2030.
• The Port of Manzanillo is identified as a primary strategic opportunity due to its high maritime energy demand (11 TWh of fossil fuel per year) and proximity to solar potential and hard-to-abate industries like mining and cement.
• The El Bajío region presents an opportunity to couple green hydrogen production with the automotive, mining, and steel industries to reduce scope 2 and 3 emissions and potentially export fuels to Europe and Asia.
• Baja California is a promising regional opportunity due to its high solar and wind potential, its energy grid connection to the United States, and its concentration of heavy manufacturing.
• A significant barrier to the transition is the current political environment, which prioritizes state-owned fossil fuel production via Pemex and CFE, creating uncertainty for renewable energy investments.
• Mexico lacks a formal national hydrogen strategy or roadmap, which is considered essential to unlock finance and define transition pathways for SZEF production.
• The report recommends that Mexico ratify MARPOL Annex VI and sign the Clydebank Declaration to signal international commitment to green shipping corridors.

APA

World Economic Forum (2022). Shipping’s Energy Transition: Strategic Opportunities in Mexico. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Strategic_Opportunities_in_Mexico_2022.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Shipping’s Energy Transition: Strategic Opportunities in Mexico. 2022. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Strategic_Opportunities_in_Mexico_2022.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Shipping’s Energy Transition: Strategic Opportunities in Mexico |date=2022 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Strategic_Opportunities_in_Mexico_2022.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2022shippings, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Shipping’s Energy Transition: Strategic Opportunities in Mexico}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2022}, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Strategic_Opportunities_in_Mexico_2022.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }