The Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) has officially entered the global logistics arena. Hyundai, the world’s sixth-largest automaker, successfully completed a pilot shipment of vehicles across Mexico’s Interoceanic Corridor, positioning the Isthmus as a new strategic trade route between Asia and the East Coast of the United States.

This first-ever trial underscores the potential of the CIIT as a global logistics alternative, connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans across 308 kilometers of upgraded rail infrastructure, from Salina Cruz, Oaxaca to Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz.

Hyundai’s Milestone Pilot Shipment via the CIIT

Between March 28 and April 3, 2025, Hyundai moved 900 vehicles using the CIIT rail line in two batches—600 units followed by 300—with each shipment taking approximately nine hours to cross Mexico.

The journey began at the Port of Salina Cruz, where the “Glovis Cosmos” delivered vehicles from South Korea.

From there, vehicles were loaded onto 50 BI-MAX freight cars—rail wagons designed for vehicle transport—using Line Z of the CIIT.

The final leg of the route transferred the vehicles from the Port of Coatzacoalcos onto the ship “RCC Africa” bound for Brunswick, Georgia on the U.S. East Coast.

This successful operation proves the CIIT's ability to serve as a new trade corridor from Asia to the U.S., bypassing traditional maritime chokepoints and offering a faster, more secure alternative.

CIIT: A New Industrial and Logistics Hub in Southern Mexico

The Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec is one of the flagship infrastructure projects of Mexico’s current administration. Managed by the Mexican Navy (SEMAR), the corridor is designed to revitalize economic development in the southern states through enhanced connectivity, industrial zones, and modern logistics facilities.

“This test strengthens the Interoceanic Corridor as a strategic new route linking Asia with the U.S. East Coast,” stated Nino Morales, President of the CIIT Oversight Commission.

According to Omar Cancino, a specialist in southern Mexican economics, the CIIT stands to become a crucial alternative for global trade, especially amid ongoing shifts in international supply chains and geopolitical uncertainty.

Looking Ahead: CIIT and the Future of Trade

The CIIT’s operational readiness for international cargo is a signal that Mexico is actively diversifying its infrastructure portfolio. With global trade patterns in flux, and nearshoring becoming a dominant strategy, the Interoceanic Corridor represents a timely investment into resilient, multi-modal logistics.

As Hyundai’s pilot shipment has shown, the corridor is more than just a concept—it is a functioning reality with vast potential to transform southern Mexico into an industrial hub, attract foreign investment, and create long-term logistics value.