The cross-border trade between Mexico and the US is growing rapidly, but so are the challenges facing shippers, carriers, and logistics professionals. To address these issues and highlight opportunities, Reliance Partners hosted its 7th annual Modernization of Cross Border Trade event in Laredo.
The conference brought together over 300 attendees for panel discussions on topics such as Mexican cargo insurance, issues affecting Mexican carriers, the Carta Porte supplement, road infrastructure, driver shortages, and cargo security. “This is the largest cross-border event right now,” said Mark Vickers, founder of the event and Reliance Partners’ executive vice president and head of international logistics. “It shows that nearshoring is not just a thought, it’s real.”
Reliance Partners is one of the nation’s largest insurance agencies serving the trucking and logistics industries. The company offers Borderless Coverage, an automated cross-border and Mexican cargo insurance solution for carriers, brokers, and shippers.
The event featured a Mexican carrier panel, moderated by Thom Albrecht, Reliance Partners’ CFO and chief revenue officer. Victor Salazar, chief commercial officer at Trayecto, said that nearshoring is driving growth in automotive freight between Mexico and the US, creating opportunities for carriers. “We’ve seen significant growth in the last 10 years,” Salazar said.
Trayecto, based in Monterrey, Mexico, has over 4,000 trucks and 10,000 trailers. Salazar emphasized that understanding production processes and providing individual solutions are key to success in the automotive industry.
To succeed at cross-border trade, companies need to hire experienced personnel and have a presence on the border, said Matt Silver, CEO of Green Worldwide Shipping. “Technology should be helping us,” he added. “Shipping in Mexico should be as easy as shipping from Canada to the US.”
The Mexican government is investing in infrastructure, such as the Bajio Logistics Gateway, an intermodal inland port in central Mexico, which will reduce logistics costs and improve regional infrastructure.
In other news, BSH Home Appliances has opened a $240 million factory in Monterrey, manufacturing refrigerators for the US and Canadian markets. The plant employs 1,500 workers and offers ideal conditions for production.
Additionally, Green Worldwide Shipping has opened an office in Laredo, Texas, expanding its presence in South Texas.
Overall, the event highlighted the importance of addressing challenges and opportunities in cross-border trade and logistics between Mexico and the US.
Source: Yahoo News
