Lloyd Brasileiro and Ivaran sign deal. (Companhia de Navegacao Lloyd Brasileiro; A-S Ivarans Rederi)

Companhia de Navegacao Lloyd Brasiliero continues to ride the comeback trail. The Brazilian state-owned line hopes its new cooperative agreement with a prominent competitor will revitalize its battered reputation, while easing overcrowding in the U.S.-Brazil trade.

Lloyd Brasileiro, which was forced by financial troubles to suspend its Brazil-U.S. liner service for much of this year, has signed a trial agreement to lease vessel space from A/S Ivarans Rederi, Oslo, Norway.

Under the three-month arrangement, Lloyd Brasiliero will ship with Ivaran the equivalent of 100 to 200 20-foot containers on each voyage between Brazil and the U.S. East Coast. The cooperative service will likely begin in January.

Lloyd Brasileiro will offer sailings every other week, operating two vessels, and leasing space on two Ivaran ships. Lloyd Brasileiro, which returned to the trade after six months; absence in June, views the arrangement as a way to trim costs, improve service, and attract …