Non-vessel-operating common carrier CaroTrans will offer a new direct, weekly less-than-containerload (LCL) and full containerload (FCL) export service from Houston to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The first sailing from Houston is Aug. 20 with arrival in Rio de Janeiro Sept. 14, a 25-day transit. This new offering compliments the NVO’s existing direct Houston-to-Santos export service and continues expansion of CaroTrans and Craft Multimodal’s North-South services.
Craft, CaroTrans’ partner for the past 12 years, has substantial coverage throughout South America.
“We understand that Brazil is a key emerging global market and has significant growth potential. The upcoming 2014 Soccer World Cup and 2016 Olympics are driving infrastructure investment on a large scale,” said Greg Howard, CaroTrans’ global chief executive officer, in a statement. “Additionally, with this Brazil service we’re effectively addressing the time-sensitive needs of oil and gas industry exporters.”
In 2012, CaroTrans expanded its South America services with Craft by adding Argentina and Uruguay to its alliance relationship. In April 2012, CaroTrans added a direct Miami-to-Itajai, Brazil LCL export service.