Glencore exported the largest load of new season grain for the year out of Port Lincoln recently.
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More than 52,000 tonnes of wheat and 20,000t of barley was loaded onto the MV Aeneas, destined for the Middle East.
The MV Aeneas is 229 metres long and 32m wide with the capacity to hold 80,000t of grain – making it the largest ship to come into a SA port this year.
Glencore Grain senior wheat trader Simon Gellert said the company‘s strong relationships with customers in the Middle East resulted in regular shipments to the region.
“While SA’s traditional key export markets are in South East Asia, the Middle East is an important customer, particularly for high protein wheat,” he said.
“SA’s total wheat exports last season was 4.2 million tonnes with 630,000t destined for the Middle East, making it a significant customer of SA grain.”
Mr Gellert said being able to load large volumes of more than one commodity into a single vessel also helped to drive freight efficiencies, which ultimately benefits growers.
“Exporting grain to international customers is critical at this time of year,” he said.
“It benefits growers as it moves SA grain onto the export market at the peak period.
“Port Lincoln is one of the few naturally deep sea port terminals in Australia that can load large vessels.
“Being able to load large ships such as the MV Aeneas helps us move a large amount of grain at one time.”
- Details: viterra.com.au
