Attracting U.S.- bound freight is part of the goal.

The article presents updates on shipping ports in Mexico and Brazil. Earlier in 2005, the port management at Manzanillo closed a special trade agreement with port officials from Shanghai, China. The deal includes regular service between both ports through China Shipping Line and COSCO. Growing Asian trade volumes are also driving improvements at Brazil's Port of Santos. Brazilian exports to China increased by 80 percent in 2003, and now Chinese imports are up by a similar margin.