T-Ports' Lock bunker site on the Eyre Peninsula has begun the first stage of its commissioning ahead of opening for the 2019 harvest, with the receival of the first loads of grain into the site this week.
The grain was purchased by ADM during the 2018-19 season and stored on-farm in anticipation of delivery into T-Ports.
Lock farmer and T-Ports director Andrew Polkinghorne delivered the first load and said it was exciting to see years of planning culminate in this important milestone.
"To finally have an alternative supply chain option on the EP is great news for growers who will benefit from the competition in the supply chain and will have some choice in how they manage their grain logistics," he said.
Chief executive officer Kieran Carvill said this week represented the company's commitment to delivering a port close to the product - a key facet of the company's innovative business model solution for the export of Australian commodities.
"Receiving this grain into the new Lock bunkers as part of the site commissioning process is a memorable step on this long journey we're all on," he said.
ADM Asia Pacific Trading managing director Tim Henry said the commissioning of the Lock site brings T-Ports' vision of introducing competition to the Eyre Peninsula grain supply chain one step closer.
"Through increased export capacity at key times, logistics and harvest efficiencies and, ultimately more choice, grain producers in the T-Ports catchment should benefit from greater in-pocket returns," he said.
The $130-million Lucky Bay project will be open for grower receivals for the 2019 harvest.
It features two up-country bunker storage sites at Lock and Lucky Bay with approximately 500,000 tonnes of capacity, steel silos at port with approximately 24,000 tonnes of storage, port receival and loading facilities, a bespoke transhipment vessel with a capacity of 3,500 tonnes and a fertiliser import and storage facility.
"Following the beginning of construction on the port site over the past few weeks, we are well on track for opening for grower receivals later this year," Mr Carvill said.
Mr Carvill said the project would deliver increased competition in the EP supply chain and growers could save up to $17 per tonne by transporting their grain directly to port, depending on their proximity to Lucky Bay.
"T-Ports is committed to the Eyre Peninsula and we know this development will provide grain growers in the region the competition in the supply chain they have been waiting a long time for," he said.
"We have also been proud to support South Australian businesses and regional communities along the process. We look forward to a long and productive relationship with growers on the Eyre Peninsula."
