Iss Brazil News

A national strike action has been implemented by customs staff, potentially affecting Brazilian Ports from August 19, Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) is advising.   The ‘standard operation’ strike (minimum permitted numbers of staff on duty) is pay-related and currently has no set end date, ISS reported.   ISS Brazil said it is working to coordinate berthing for its clients to avoid the strike and minimize impact where possible.

ISS Brazil advised of a potential national stevedores strike planned to commence on the June 10, 2014. The indefinite strike, organized by the Union of Stevedores, is expected to affect stevedore operations in all ports across Brazil and is predicted to cause considerable delays with cargo operations from June 10 unless an early resolution can be reached with the Brazilian Federal Government. iss-shipping.com

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) is set to ppen a new office in Santarem, Pará State to cater to the Amazon and Brazil markets. The new office, the company’s third in the Amazon, in addition to Manaus and Belem, will enhance its presence in the booming Brazilian market and is its 10th office in the country. Cpt. Mariano Martinoia, General Manager, ISS Brazil said, “The new office will allow us to better serve our current break bulk and cruise lines client base, as well as explore new business opportunities in the region for dry bulk and grains. The office will be managed by Port Manager, Patrick Nogueira, who recently joined ISS especially to take on the role.

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) is advised of a strike by port workers at Maceio port in Brazil on Friday 22nd February from 0700 to 1300 hours. The striking port workers will include stevedores and linesmen, so the port will not be operative during this time. “We anticipate this will delay the berthing of any vessels calling at Maceio until the end of the strike,” said Francisco Villagrán, Vice President Operations South America for ISS. ISS Brazil will continue to monitor events in the country on behalf of shipowners and operators, and will post any news updates to the company website. www.iss-shipping.com

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) the world’s leading maritime services provider, has celebrated the tenth anniversary of its operation, ISS Brazil, with a special event for customers and staff as business continues to expand. After ten years of development, ISS Brazil now has a total of nine offices across Brazil including Rio de Janeiro, Belem, Sao Luis, Macae, Angra dos Reis, Fortaleza, Manaus, Vitoria and Santos, and over 100 employees. The company has also expanded its services into tankers, offshore, break-bulk, liquid bulk, dry bulk, crew logistics and the oil and gas sectors. Employees attending the anniversary event with customers included the ISS Brazil team, regional management and Claus Hyldager, Chief Executive Officer of ISS.

Immigration officers start new wave of strike action in Brazil ahead of cruise season. Inchcape Shipping Services, the world’s leading maritime services provider, is advising of a new wave of strike action by immigration officers in Manaus and Amazonas which could impact the start of the cruise season in Brazil. The official strike by immigration officers follows a break up in salary negotiations with the government and is considered a strategic move before the cruise season commences next month. During the new strike, immigration officers will only work daily between 08.30am and 11.00am and will not attend ship or airport clearances.

Following a $68 million government investment in Brazilian ports, Inchcape Shipping Services is forecasting significant growth in cruise ship port calls to the region. The investment by The Ports Secretariat in Brazil includes $10 million in passenger terminals at Salvador, $42 million at Fortaleza and $16 million in Natal. The new infrastructure will increase opportunities for cruise ships to call at additional ports and the number of port calls handled by ISS. Local cruise companies in the region are experiencing increased growth. This is due to a rise in demand from Brazilians themselves as well as an increase in the number of luxury long haul travellers, destined for further growth when Brazil hosts the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016.

Inchcape Shipping Services, advises that strikes by Brazilian customs officers are disrupting major ports and that the clearance of imported goods has slowed significantly. The company reports that unless this week’s negotiations with the government around better salaries and working conditions are successful, interruption to vessel movements is likely to intensify. Industrial action of varying lengths and degrees has already affected normal port operations in the majority of Brazil’s major ports including Santos, Paranagua, Salvador, Manaus, Santarem, Santana and Itacoatiara. Customs officers had originally advised shipping agents that they would stop work for two days a week, and only work at a minimal level on the remaining days, until an agreement is reached.