Boston, MA -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/31/2013 -- We forecast that growth in Brazil's freight transport volumes will outpace the Latin American giant's real GDP growth in 2014 and over our medium-term forecast period (2014-2018), across all modes. Continued growth in the BRIC nation's mining and agribusiness sectors will ensure that the road, rail and ports sectors will continue to experience healthy expansion, while air freight will benefit from the growing demands of the country's expanding middle class. Further, the sector will benefit from Brazil's role as a major exporter of a host of commodities.

Nevertheless there remain serious challenges to growth, and hence risks to our outlook. These stem from both the physical side - whether infrastructure development in the country will be sufficient to support our projected growth rates - and the human - the ports sector is already undergoing a wave of industrial unrest as workers contest the government's proposed ports privatisation moves.

Key Industry Data

- Air freight tonnes to grow 5.4% in 2014 to reach 1.81mn tonnes. Over the medium term, to 2018, we predict that growth will average 6.5% a year.
- Total tonnage throughput at the port of Santos to grow 4.8% in 2014 to reach 115.92mn tonnes. To 2018, we predict average annual growth of 5.4%.
- Rail freight tonnes to grow by 2.7% in 2014 to reach 543mn tonnes. To 2018, we predict average annual growth of 3.5%.

View Full Report Details and Table of Contents

Key Industry Trends

Valemax China Saga Finally Resolved With Shandong Shipping Deal?

Vale's strategy of increasing Brazilian iron ore's role in China's steel manufacturing could finally become a reality, with the mining firm signing a deal with a Chinese shipping company Shandong Shipping Corporation to operate four of its Valemax ships. The ban on Valemax ships docking at Chinese harbours was reportedly due to safety worries, but the assumption in the industry has been that there was a political element to the ban, with the Chinese Shipowners' Association lobbying against the Valemax, due the threat it posed to their dry bulk fleets.

Governments Plan Inter-Oceanic Railroad

The governments of Brazil, Peru and Bolivia intend to construct an inter-oceanic railroad between Peru's Pacific coast and Brazil's Atlantic coast, according to media reports. The railroad is aimed at facilitating trade activities between the countries. The railway will originate in the Peruvian port city of Ilo and extend to the Bolivian port city of Puerto Suarez.

Government May Stop Subsidising Imports Of Gasoline And Diesel

The Brazilian government may stop subsidising imports of gasoline and diesel, which could reduce South American demand for clean oil products, according to media sources. Brazilian transportation fuel subsidies have decreased expenses for consumers, who have secured long-standing market discounts for gasoline and diesel, according to a recent report by Poten & Partners.

About Fast Market Research
Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. Representing the world's top research publishers and analysts, we provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available. Our unbiased, expert staff will help you find the right research to fit your requirements and your budget. For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at http://www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.

Browse all Transportation research reports at Fast Market Research

You may also be interested in these related reports:

- Vietnam Freight Transport Report Q1 2014
- Australia Freight Transport Report Q1 2014
- Argentina Freight Transport Report Q1 2014
- United Arab Emirates Freight Transport Report Q1 2014
- Malaysia Freight Transport Report Q1 2014
- Egypt Freight Transport Report Q1 2014
- Israel Freight Transport Report Q1 2014
- Iran Freight Transport Report Q1 2014
- Panama Freight Transport Report Q1 2014
- Philippines Freight Transport Report Q1 2014