Veracruz, Mexico - Mexico has begun expanding its largest port at Veracruz to increase global trading and boost its economy. The expansion of the port is set to take place in two stages, with the first to be completed in 2018 and the second by 2030, all at a cost of around $5 billion.

The first stage is underway with the construction of a first sea wall, which is designed to break waves coming in from the Gulf of Mexico.

"The new port will have the capacity to receive 95 million tons of merchandise," Juan Ignacio Hernandez, the director of the Port of Veracruz, said. "The actual port has only 18 docks that are not all used due to shallow waters. However, the new port will have 36 docks for boats of up to 1300 feet in length."

Crews at the existing Port of Veracruz continued working around the clock as part of the never-ending job of keeping Mexico’s role in the global economy moving.