U.S., Brazil enter maritime agreement

U.S., Brazil enter maritime agreement    The United States and Brazil have entered a new bilateral maritime agreement that improves cargo access for each country’s merchant fleet.
   U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said at a press conference Friday that the “decision to allow U.S.-flagged vessels access to Brazilian cross-trades will benefit both our countries and the trade region at large.”
   Specifically, the new agreement requires both countries to provide equal treatment for the other’s carriers in maritime-related services and facilities, including shipping taxes. It also provides unlimited access for U.S.-flag carriers to government-controlled cargoes whose shipments are arranged by the Brazilian government, which historically has been a significant portion of that country’s commercial cargo.
   The new U.S.-Brazil maritime agreement took three years to negotiate. Brazil’s congress must now ratify the agreement before it can be brought into force. No U.S. ratification is needed.
   The United States and Brazil signed a similar agreement in 1999, but it was not ratified by Brazil and expired in October 2002.
   The United States has entered maritime agreements with other countries, such as China and Russia. According to a Transportation Department official, the United States is considering the development of a maritime agreement with Vietnam.