The terminal, officially named Terminal Multimodal Cancun, will be built south of Cancun International Airport and adjacent to the planned passenger station, Mexico Business News reports.
The 18-month construction plan will be carried out by the state-owned company Tren Maya under the supervision of the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA). Public investment in the terminal is set at MX$7.76 billion (approx. EUR 413 million).
According to SEMARNAT’s resolution, 12 species classified as at risk inhabit the site—double the number originally identified in the March 2025 Environmental Impact Statement (MIA). These include the ocellated turkey, a bird endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula. The ruling acknowledged concerns from the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), which questioned the effectiveness of proposed wildlife crossings, yet the permit was granted.
The cargo terminal will feature 28 facilities, including warehouses, customs infrastructure, a hazardous waste storage area, and fueling infrastructure. It will connect with Section 5 of the Mayan Train heading toward Playa del Carmen and Section 4 toward Mérida and Campeche. A separate permit from the Agency for Safety, Energy, and Environment (ASEA) will be required for two planned diesel tanks with a total capacity of 240,000 litres.
The project has drawn criticism from civil society organizations, including Greenpeace México, which described the terminal as evidence that the Tren Maya is shifting away from passenger services toward commercial use. Environmental groups have raised concerns about the deforestation of ecologically sensitive areas and its impact on biodiversity and indigenous lands.
While SEDENA proceeds with implementation, the project remains at the centre of public debate over the balance between infrastructure development and environmental protection in the Yucatán region.
