Damco Brazil is working with a local barge operator using the River Madeira that connects with the port of Manaus on the Amazonia River to connect with other main ports such as Panama. The service has made Porto Velho an internationally connected port via Manaus, says Damco.
For over 15 years, the local business community in the states of Rondonia, Acre and Mato Groso states (the three most remote states in the interior of Brazil) have struggled to access sea ports and find an economical way to export their products, says Damco.
"Damco customers exporting commodities have been able to take advantage of using Porto Velho Port (Rondonia) since early 2009. This will save them money, transit time and enable them to get a faster payment from their consignees by issuing the bills of lading in Porto Velho." says Ulrich Nissen, head of Damco in Brazil.
Local politicians have demonstrated their commitment to the import and export projects in the region, Nissen continues. "This is a major advantage for Damco customers exporting cotton, leather, minerals, lumber and beef from the region going to Europe, Russia and Asia. The approximate cost savings for the exporters are around 10% of the total logistics costs and it further more cut three to five days of the total transportation time."
Damco is the new, combined brand of the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group's logistics activities.