U.S., Brazil pave way to new bilateral maritime agreement

U.S., Brazil pave way to new bilateral maritime agreement    The U.S. Maritime Administration said Friday it has concluded a new five-year bilateral maritime agreement with the Brazilian government.
   According to MarAd, the new agreement will provide carriers in both countries access to freight in both the bilateral and cross trades.
   The agency said the new agreement “reflects the desire of both governments to enhance the growth of their economies and foreign trade by assuring a competitive and open marketplace for the benefit of shippers and consumers in both countries.”
   Another major aspect of the agreement, according to MarAd, is that it creates a framework to provide equal access to cargoes otherwise reserved by laws in each country to their national flag carriers, MarAd said.
Maritime Administrator William Schubert is making good on his goal to renew recently expired bilateral maritime agreements, and has continued dialogue with those countries which the United States has current agreements.
   On Dec. 8, MarAd concluded a new bilateral maritime agreement with China. Also last year, the agency continued follow-up discussions to its June 2001 agreement with Russia.