Five-Day Port Shutdown in Cancun, Cozumel Costs Nautical Sector Millions
Severe winds closed Quintana Roo ports (Cancun, Cozumel) for 5 days, causing a US$1.5mn loss to the nautical sector and halting 4,800 vessels. Ports partially reopened, but more restrictions feared.
Persistent strong southerly winds, known locally as a "surada," have forced the closure of key ports along Mexico's Caribbean coast in Quintana Roo for five days, bringing maritime navigation to a standstill and dealing a significant economic blow to the region's vital nautical sector.
The closures, implemented last Wednesday as winds consistently exceeded 40 kilometres per hour, affected major hubs including Isla Mujeres, Puerto Juárez, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, and the cruise ship destination of Cozumel. The primary aim was cited as preventing maritime incidents amid the adverse weather conditions.
