VITERRA has announced it will continue to utilise the rail network to move grain on the Eyre Peninsula for an additional 12 months after extending its agreement with rail line operator Genesee & Wyoming Australia until March 2019.
Viterra Logistics and Commercial Relations manager Jonathan Wilson said the initial three-year agreement was due to expire in 2018 but the two companies had worked together on an extension.
“This allows more time for government and industry stakeholders to examine the long-term future of the rail network,” he said.
The two rail lines service 15 storage and handling sites to transfer grain to Port Lincoln for shipping.
“Our focus is on offering EP growers the most efficient and cost effective supply chain in moving grain from upcountry to port,” Mr Wilson said.
“We are the only customer using this rail network.
“We work closely with GWA and will continue to support discussions between stakeholders to determine the best logistics solution for the future.”
The new agreement comes as Viterra announced that Port Lincoln passed the 2 million tonne-mark for grain shipping and had its busiest October to July period in five years. This achievement, coupled with grain shipped from Thevenard, helped the EP set a new record for total grain exports.
More than 2.64mt of grain has been shipped from the region in 2016-17, from the 3.23mt delivered into Viterra’s western region sites.
The western region surpassed its harvest receival record previously set in 2010-11.
