The Bioceanic Corridor, South America’s emerging transnational trade route, could significantly benefit from the efficiency and security provided by the global TIR transit system, which has successfully facilitated trade on major corridors worldwide for decades.
At the 11th Meeting of the Bioceanic Corridor’s Working Group of International Coordinators, organised by Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IRU highlighted the tried-and-tested advantages of TIR to leaders from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay.
Senior TIR Manager Lucas Lagier said, “The Bioceanic Corridor presents a unique opportunity to transform trade and connectivity in the Mercosur region. With the implementation of the global TIR transit system, we can enhance the corridor’s impact, creating an efficient and competitive model for trade in South America.”
“TIR would streamline and expedite customs procedures, lower costs and transit times for operators and traders, enhance economic integration between the Atlantic and Pacific regions, provide exclusive access to East Asia via the Pacific using a single transit system, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of transport in this region,” he added.
Lucas Lagier also stressed that the implementation of TIR would be a crucial step in aligning the Bioceanic Corridor with global best practices, ensuring it becomes a driver of regional economic development.
Strong regional support for TIR
In a series of bilateral meetings, South American leaders expressed their strong support for the TIR system.
Harold Bergen, Governor of Boquerón, Paraguay, emphasised his steadfast support for TIR. Boquerón, a key contributor to Paraguay’s GDP, will benefit from an efficient trade system. TIR can turn Paraguay from a landlocked country into a landlinked country, just as it has linked the landlocked countries of Central Asia to world markets.
In bilateral meetings in Brazil, João Carlos Parkinson de Castro, Minister Diplomat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reiterated Brazil's commitment to TIR accession. He emphasised the importance of TIR in enhancing the country’s trade and logistics efficiency and his full confidence in its ability to foster greater regional integration.
Senator Nelson Trad Filho from Mato Grosso do Sul also voiced his support for TIR, underlining its importance for the Bioceanic Corridor, which will connect Brazilian states such as Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná to Argentina, Chile and Paraguay via Mato Grosso do Sul.
Engagement with IRU Members
Lucas Lagier and Martin Rojas (IRU Senior Adviser for the Americas) also met with IRU members from the region, including the Associação Nacional do Transporte de Cargas (NTC) in Brazil and the Federación Argentina de Entidades Empresarias de Autotransportes de Cargas (FADEEAC), to discuss the practicalities of TIR implementation and its alignment with the needs of the Bioceanic Corridor.
In Uruguay, IRU discussed the benefits of TIR and the Bioceanic Corridor to the national transport organisation CATIDU.
WCO technology conference
Additionally, at the World Customs Organization’s (WCO’s) annual flagship event, the Technology Conference and Exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Lucas Lagier showcased IRU’s role in advancing technologies.
He demonstrated how they are enhancing cooperation between transport operators and customs authorities, facilitating smoother border crossings and fostering seamless trade.