Excellence, 7th Edition - BBC Chartering

BBC Chartering holds a strong footprint in LatinAmerica (Latam) due to an early focus on serving thecontinent’s logistical needs. Being there for over 12years the first regular liner connections to West coastand East Coast destinations were introduced back in2005. Since then BBC Chartering has expanded uponits position and today offers an important network ofshipping services for project cargoes in South America.Almost one fifth of BBC Chartering’s current globalstaff works in South America, in offices located in Brazil,Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.Today Brazil Intermodal 2013 stages South America’smost important sector event and brings together majorplayers in the logistics industry, cargo transportationand foreign trade. The show plays a major role also inBBC Chartering’s event calendar and we like to take thisopportunity to talk to Washington de Barros and NatalieJones, BBC Chartering’s ‘Latam’ project cargo veteransand local spearheads about current industry trends andhow they believe BBC Chartering can create value in theemerging economies of South America and Brazil in thefuture.How has the economic crisis impacted business inSouth America? How has the market been faring therein the past few years?Washington de Barros (WdB): The economy of Brazil,as a whole, stayed behind expectations in 2012. I thinkthat the growth rate of ‘only’ 2.7 % in 2012 is a result of areduced volume of goods manufactured by the industry,smaller profits and subsequently a cut in investmentsthat would normally extend the country’s productioncapacity.Also for South America as a whole, expectation for 2013are moderate after a growth of 4.5% in 2012, the overallprojection for the continent is only 2.7% according toUN’s global outlook.Also the devaluation of the Real currency comparedto the US Dollar caused Brazil to lose the 6th placeamong the largest economies in the world, and wenow rank again behind England.purpose. conviction. quality attitude. | page 11