Grain export hits new heights
Above: The vessel Komatsushima Star loading grain at Humber International Terminal, Port of Immingham
Humber International Terminal, Associated British Ports’ (ABP) deep-water riverside dry-bulk handling facility at its Port of Immingham, has broken yet another record with the loading of a cargo of almost 50,000 tonnes of grain, the largest grain export ever to leave the Humber Estuary.
The 55,522 dwt vessel Komatsushima Star loaded the cargo, destined for the Far East, for port customer Gleadell Agriculture Limited who operate a dedicated grain facility at the Port of Immingham.
The operation, which included over 1,500 loads delivering to the quay, was co-ordinated on a 24-hour basis and thanks to the assistance given by the large number of farmers, hauliers and terminal staff, the vessel was loaded on schedule.
Agribulk products are central to the Port’s portfolio of trades, and regular shipments of both import and export grain are handled at the Gleadell Terminal within the Port’s inner dock complex. This landmark cargo, however, is the first grain shipment to be loaded at Immingham’s record breaking deep-water riverside facility.
John Fitzgerald, ABP’s Port Director, Grimsby & Immingham said: “Humber International Terminal opened in 2000, and we are excited that, 10 years on, we are able to attract new business to the facility. Gleadell has always been a strong partner of ABP and this latest achievement demonstrates the continuing evolution of this long-standing relationship. We have proven that we can efficiently load high volumes of grain in deep-sea vessels and this opens up a potential new market.”
David Sheppard, Managing Director, Gleadell Agriculture said: “In a situation where exports have proved difficult, this shipment is good news for all involved. It is an example of the co-operation we get with the numerous farmers and merchant suppliers across Lincolnshire and the East Midlands who are key to making business like this happen. It also underlines the importance of the world market access and co-operation provided by our shareholder Toepfer International.”
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