Progreso to host the Americas’ largest shipyard
Fincantieri, one of the world’s largest shipbuilders, plans to build the largest shipyard on the American continent in Progreso, Yucatán.
Headquartered in Trieste, Italy, the company says it will invest US$220 million to complete the massive project.
A shipyard (also called a dockyard) is where ships are repaired and built. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners, or other cargo or passenger ships.
The deal is a huge win for Yucatán Gov. Mauricio Vila Dosal, who several media outlets are reporting personally brokered the negotiations in Italy.
However, Fincantieri’s commitment to building the shipyard is contingent on the completion of overhauls to Progreso’s existing infrastructure — which Vila says is well on track.
Earlier: Progreso becomes Yucatán’s first disability-inclusive beach
Located to the north of Mérida, Progreso is already one of Mexico’s most important ports and already boasts the world’s largest pier, which stretches 6.5 kilometers into the Gulf of Mexico.
The port city is also Yucatán’s most busy beach and a popular destination for cruise ships, which just recently began to return after a long absence due to the COVID-10 pandemic.
In addition to investing in its port and commercial infrastructure, the city has also recently undergone several projects to improve its image. These include a makeover for its aging boardwalk and a program to finally bring its stray animal problem under control.
The coastal city has also recently lifted mobility restrictions on its beach and boardwalk, which for over a year and a half limited their accessibility to the public.

Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer and adventure leader. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds multimedia, philosophy, and translation degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.