Evening star., 1941-12-25
Brazilian Shipping
Maintains Service
To U. 5. During War
Second Largest Merchant
Marine in Hemisphere
Carries VitoI Coreoes
BY SERGIO DE SOUZA,
Wide World News Service.


RIO DE JANEIRO. - Brazil
pledged with the United States in
her war against Japan, expects to
shoulder a major maritime burden
as one of her contributions to war
effort.
With the second largest merchant
marine of the Western Hemisphere,
Brazil's role has been designated for
some time-in transport and forma-
ton of conveys, for which this
country is ready to use her entire
tbs ,320 tons of merchant shipping
Brazils part already is vital in
maintenance of commerce between
North America and South America.
and that part will grow in impor-
tance should the wars progress-as
is considered probable-cause di-
version of United States vessels now
in the South American service to
other duties.
Maritime circles here even have
looked ahead to a time when the
United States might have to depend
on the Brazilian merchant marine
for principal South American con-
tact in interchange of vital raw ma
terials and manufactured goods.
Plans have been made accordingly.
Acquires IS 8,Vessels.
Growth of the Brazilian merchant
marine in the last decade has been
augmented greatly by recent large
additions.
In 1899 Brazil acquired l8 vessels
from the United States, with total
of 68 ,191 tons. Nearly all these to-
day are being used in Brazilian serv-
ice to North America.
Recently an agreement was signed
here with the Embassies OF Italy and
Germany for the purchase Of Axis
ships which had been anchored here,
most of them since the outbreak OF
the conflict in Europe.
From Italy eight ships were OBJ
tanned, totaling about 44,315 tons,
under agreement whereby they are
to be returned after the war. No ac-
ton has yet been taken concerning
four other Italian ships now in Bra
lillian ports totaling 38,851 tons. in
cluding the luxury vessel Conte
Grande Of 23,861 tons. Two ships
were purchased from Germany,
totaling 7,408 tons. and one Finnish
vessel of 3,5O6 tons was bought.
Danish Craft Added.
The Brazilian fleet shortly will be
augmented further by six Danish
vessels. totaling about 21O00 tons,
which have been in Brazilian ports
for some time. Negotiations for
their purchase are scheduled to be
completed soon.
Absolute necessity of maintaining
South American ship service is felt
mutually by the two continents The
United States depends on South
America for many raw materials es-
sential to war conduct, materials
which are found only in South
America or materials whose other
sources have been cut off by the
war. South America depends on the
United States as the only remain
ing source of many manufactured
articles, formerly supplied from Eu-
rope or Japan.
It was pointed out here that re-
cent acquisitions of the United
States Navy from the United States
merchant marine, even before the
attack by Japan, caused a noticeable
drop in tonnage available for South
American service.
Extensive CoasfaI Service
Brazilian shipping men now view
as their problem the maintenance
of adequate service with the United
States, as well as continuance of
the extensive service built up along
Brazil's 4,106 miles of Atlantic coast
line and between other South Amer.
ican nations.
The Brazilian merchant marine
operates under the direct control of
the federal government through
the National Merchant Marine
Commission. whic h determines
freight rates, operations, new lines
and all other problems.
The principal Brazilian naviga-
ton company is the Lloyd Brasilei-
ro, government owned and sub
sidized to the extent Of about one
million dollars annually. This line
maintains a most complete coast
wise and vast river service, as well
as regular service with the United
States, Argentina, Uruguay, Vene-
zuela and Mexico. Until recently reg
ular service was maintained with
Europe through Lisbon and with
Africa through Capetown.
Below Lloyd Brasileiro in size and
operations Importance are the
Navegacao Ccsteira and Lloyd Ma
| cional.