Mexico’s ports handled 23% more containers in January than a year earlier, Panjiva data shows, following an acceleration in the country’s trade. That growth was the fastest since at least 2012, with the Gulf coast ports leading the way. In absolute terms the fastest growing port was Veracruz, which experienced a 51% rise in traffic after auto exports climbed 85%. That is mostly due to Audi’s new factory for its Q5 SUV which opened in September. Tampico experienced the fastest growth rate at 208% as its handling of steel expanded.