Tropical weather
There is a dry season from January to May and heavy rain later in the year; Gulf hurricane season can disrupt crew changes and sea transport.
The city lies on Isla del Carmen at the western edge of the Yucatan Peninsula and has been part of the state of Campeche since 1863. Pemex operates a maritime terminal here, so classified-area work is at port facilities and offshore platforms supplied from the island. Distribution partners for Ciudad del Carmen are being identified ahead of the Q4 2026 launch of the IS-04Z1.
Pre-launch · certification in progress · Launching Q4 2026
Short answer. Ciudad del Carmen has no appointed SAMS distributor yet: the IS-04Z1 is pre-launch (certification in progress, no certificate issued, launch planned for Q4 2026), and distributor applications are open.
Status: pre-launch. IECEx, ATEX, UKEX and NEC 500 certification is in progress and no certificate has been issued; launch is planned for Q4 2026. Operator approval runs on its own timeline. Certification status. Place facts reviewed October 2026.
| Check | What to look for | IS-04Z1 today |
|---|---|---|
| Zone | 0, 1 or 2 for gas; 20, 21 or 22 for dust | Designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21 |
| Gas group | IIA, IIB or IIC | IIC (target) |
| Area drawing | The operator's own classification drawing | Decided by the site operator |
| Where it applies | Ciudad del Carmen: Marine terminal and storage, Offshore production platforms, Supply-vessel and crew-change bases | Classified by the site operator |

An intrinsically safe Android smartphone designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21 hazardous areas in Ciudad del Carmen. It is pre-launch: IECEx, ATEX and NEC 500 certification is in progress ahead of the Q4 2026 launch.
A short profile of the site and the kinds of classified area that matter for portable equipment.
There is a dry season from January to May and heavy rain later in the year; Gulf hurricane season can disrupt crew changes and sea transport.
The Sonda de Campeche, with the Cantarell field, lies roughly 85 km offshore, so many staff here work rotations on platforms and vessels.
The Ku-Maloob-Zaap area lies about 107 km north-east of Ciudad del Carmen and was described as Mexico's largest oil producer, so offshore activity is centred north-east of the city.
The city had about 7,000 people in 1840, and the Carmen municipality had 221,094 at the 2010 census, second only to the state capital municipality in Campeche.
Arrival of specialised oil staff doubled the Carmen municipality's population between 1970 and 1980 to 144,684, and the city moved from a shrimping economy, begun in the 1940s, to one that relies on oil.
The Universidad Autonoma del Carmen (UNACAR) is the main university in Ciudad del Carmen, providing a local base of technical graduates for port and marine activity.
A hazardous area is a place where flammable gas, vapour or combustible dust may be present. Standards divide these into zones: Zones 0, 1 and 2 for gas and vapour, and Zones 20, 21 and 22 for dust. Zone 1 and Zone 21 are the tier where an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation, which is where the IS-04Z1 is designed to work. Anything carried in must be marked for the zone, gas group and temperature class of the area.
No certificate has been issued for the IS-04Z1 yet, so it must not be taken into a classified area until the certificate covering it exists and the site operator has accepted it.
In Ciudad del Carmen. Classified areas for Ciudad del Carmen workers include the Pemex marine terminal and storage, offshore production platforms and supply-vessel and crew-change bases. Pemex or its contractors, not SAMS, classify these areas. Ask for the relevant zone documentation before specifying a device, and note that offshore decks and onshore bases may differ.
SAMS is appointing authorised distributors ahead of the Q4 2026 launch. No territory has been granted for Ciudad del Carmen yet and applications are reviewed company by company. Because a certified Ex device cannot be opened by an ordinary phone workshop without invalidating its certificate, SAMS looks for partners who can provide competent technical support and after-sales service locally.
Not yet. The IS-04Z1 is pre-launch and its certification is still in progress ahead of a Q4 2026 launch. No unit goes into a classified area before the certificate covering it exists. The datasheet, the certification schedule and safe-area evaluation units are available now.
No price is published. While certification is in progress there is no list price and no committed lead time, and a supplier quoting a firm figure for an uncertified Ex handset is promising something it cannot stand behind. Indicative pre-launch pricing is issued in writing against a stated quantity and site.
Zone 1 and Zone 21 (gas and dust) with gas group IIC and temperature class T4, subject to certification. It must not be used in a classified area before its certificate is issued and the site has accepted it.
Likely candidates are marine terminal and storage, offshore production platforms, supply-vessel and crew-change bases. Which areas are classified, and to what zone, is set by the site operator's own area classification drawings.
Apply through the distributor page with your company details and the territory you cover. SAMS reviews applications company by company and has not yet granted a territory for Ciudad del Carmen.
Typically yes: heat, humidity and salt air are the main concerns, so sealed, corrosion-resistant devices are sensible. Confirm operator guidance on ingress protection and temperature class.
Mexico has its own conformity framework, and operators often also accept IECEx or ATEX marking. Requirements change, so confirm with the operator and a local certification adviser before shipping.
Only if its marking suits the zone and gas group at each location, as classified by the operator. Offshore platforms and onshore terminals may differ. Check each area's classification and the certificate conditions before moving a device between them.
Related guides for Ciudad del Carmen and for Mexico.
Tell us what you need to equip and where. The SAMS team answers by email with the datasheet and where each certification route stands.
Name the site and the operator and we will send what is available before launch.