Have seen 2 or 3 excellent presentations on opportunities to ship western Canadian grain in containers. Some challenges to overcome (hopefully get some discussion) but an innovative idea given way more containers are coming into North America than are leaving (at least loaded with stuff).
Note the following article from e-malt.
Quote " Australia & China: Australia barley exports to China slowed down this year due to a shortage of containers
Australian barley sales to China have stalled this year due to a shortage of containers to ship the grain, industry officials say, just as easing prices appeared set to reinvigorate the trade after last year's slump, Reuters reported February 22.
Exports fell last year as barley prices soared almost 60 percent in little more than a month after the Australian drought depleted feed grain supplies and climbing world wheat prices sent shockwaves through the grains complex.
Australian feed barley prices have fallen by 30 percent from last September's peak, but demand for containers has surged after the Australian government de-regulation wheat trade last year, allowing more shipments by bag and container.
"China is sitting there with big pent-up demand," says Ole Houe, manager of coarse grains for GrainCorp Ltd.
But the wheat trade has monopolised the use of empty containers, shipping up to one million tonnes of wheat a year as suppliers seek alternatives to bulk freight costs, he said.
Australia has the potential to export 3 million tonnes of wheat a year in containers and bags, the regulatory panel the Wheat Export Authority said last year. This compares with bulk wheat exports of around 16 million tonnes in a good year."
Note the following article from e-malt.
Quote " Australia & China: Australia barley exports to China slowed down this year due to a shortage of containers
Australian barley sales to China have stalled this year due to a shortage of containers to ship the grain, industry officials say, just as easing prices appeared set to reinvigorate the trade after last year's slump, Reuters reported February 22.
Exports fell last year as barley prices soared almost 60 percent in little more than a month after the Australian drought depleted feed grain supplies and climbing world wheat prices sent shockwaves through the grains complex.
Australian feed barley prices have fallen by 30 percent from last September's peak, but demand for containers has surged after the Australian government de-regulation wheat trade last year, allowing more shipments by bag and container.
"China is sitting there with big pent-up demand," says Ole Houe, manager of coarse grains for GrainCorp Ltd.
But the wheat trade has monopolised the use of empty containers, shipping up to one million tonnes of wheat a year as suppliers seek alternatives to bulk freight costs, he said.
Australia has the potential to export 3 million tonnes of wheat a year in containers and bags, the regulatory panel the Wheat Export Authority said last year. This compares with bulk wheat exports of around 16 million tonnes in a good year."
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