The first shipment of new season grain has been loaded at Viterra’s Port Lincoln terminal, kicking off a busy grain shipping schedule.
Glencore Agriculture’s vessel has been loaded at night to ensure grower deliveries are managed efficiently during the loading of 26,500 tonnes of wheat bound for Yemen.
Glencore Agriculture Senior Wheat Trader Simon Gellert says Yemen is a regular export market for Australian grain.
“Australia’s reputation for low moisture, high quality white wheat provides benefits to wheat millers and other end users,” Simon says.
“Australia has experienced consistent demand from Yemen who have taken on average 800,000 tonnes a year over the past five seasons despite our weather impacted production volumes.
“We are able to provide a high level of confidence to export markets and end use customers when sourcing our grain through the Viterra network because of the rigorous supply chain procedures and track record of providing the highest standard of quality management and guaranteeing the food safety of grain.”
The terminal infrastructure also supports quick turnaround times with loading rates of up to 3000 tonnes per hour, which Simon says provides significant value to the industry.
Viterra Western region Operations Manager Nick Pratt says vessels larger than a panamax can be efficiently loaded in under three days.
“Growers also have access to a range of buyers and domestic and export markets through the Viterra network,” Nick says.
“We have four exporters with shipping booked out of Port Lincoln for November and December, with grain bound for a number of domestic and international export markets.
“We are currently running 24 hour operations at Port Lincoln to load vessels at night, using the terminal’s infrastructure off peak, to ensure we maximise efficiency for harvest receivals from Eyre Peninsula growers.
“We have a strong focus on providing an efficient service and improving turnaround times for our buyer and grower customers – and loading at night time, combined with our recent $6 million infrastructure investment at the site, will help us achieve this.
“Increased elevation capacity benefits both vessel loading and deliveries to the site, with the vessel loaded more quickly at night and all our elevation points dedicated to deliveries during the day.
“Managing the entire supply chain from our upcountry sites through to our port terminal means we efficiently accumulate grain for shipping and can adjust operations to meet our customers’ changing needs.
“Our commitment to providing valuable and efficient grain storage and handling services to Eyre Peninsula growers will continue to be backed by ongoing investment and grower focused services.”