Brazilian and Chinese authorities are evaluating the construction of a railroad to the Chancay mega-port in Peru through Acre, near Bolivia, to Bahia on the Atlantic coast, which would reduce the maritime trade distance to Asia by approximately 10,000 kilometers while easing reliance on the congested port of Santos, Planning Minister Simone Tebet explained.
Add your comment!The China Zorrilla, the world’s largest 100% electric ferry, was launched on May 2, 2025, at Incat’s shipyard in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Commissioned by Buquebus, the 130-meter vessel will connect Argentina and Uruguay across the River Plate, carrying up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. The vessel is due in Uruguay in the last quarter of 2025. It was the ninth unit Incat has built for Buquebus.
Add your comment!Bolivia's General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) has authorized three new airlines to operate in the country: Argentina's budget carrier Flybondi for international routes, and local companies Andina Airlines and Go Airline for domestic flights. Flybondi has completed all required phases and is awaiting itinerary approval based on fleet availability. Andina Airlines is still in the certification process, while Go Airlines is in an earlier stage. Additionally, Arajet from the Dominican Republic is nearing authorization, only lacking the final demonstration phase.
Add your comment!Latin America (South America) is experiencing unprecedented growth in forex trading. Is it a growing trend or a calculated risk? The numbers are saying it's an exciting and growing trend, but it's essential to understand the risk. Countries like Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Peru, and others are leading the drive for the growth of the market, with a notable increase in 2024.
Add your comment!The French consortium Setec conducted a feasibility study for a passenger train connecting Montevideo and Florida, Uruguay, with service potentially starting in 2030. The study, submitted to the Uruguayan government, proposes two lines—Montevideo to 25 de Agosto and Montevideo to Progreso—using the Central Railway infrastructure with relatively low investment.
Paraguayan technicians from Itaipu's Renewable Energy Consultancy visited a 7-megawatt floating solar power plant at the Billings dam reservoir in São Paulo, Brazil, the largest of its kind in Latin America, spanning 5 hectares to learn about flotation and anchoring systems, as part of the preparations for a similar project, albeit smaller, undertaking at Itaipú.
The Uruguayan Government of President Yamandú Orsi and the Aguas de Montevideo consortium signed an agreement Thursday to suspend the Neptuno Project contract for 90 days. This temporary halt pauses the construction of the Arazatí water treatment plant to renegotiate terms established under the previous administration. A Torre Ejecutiva working group will review the contract to ensure a sustainable drinking water supply and institutional transparency.
Montevideo's Carrasco Airport's international status will be upgraded to a Category III B Instrument Landing System (ILS) after an investment of more than US$ 20 million. The improvement will enable safer and more efficient operations in adverse weather conditions. Work has already begun on the alternate runway and will be extended to the main runway in June.
A brand-new Boeing 737 MAX intended for China's Xiamen Airlines was returned to the aircraft manufacturer due to escalating trade tensions driven by US President Donald Trump's tariff war. Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%, prompting China to impose 125% tariffs on U.S. goods, making delivery of these aircraft financially unviable for Chinese airlines.
Brazil's Ministry of Development, Industry, Foreign Trade and Services (MDIC) has resumed the post-shipment export credit insurance (SCE) mechanism, which had been discontinued in 2019.