2012)

The Iraqi Grain Board has issued an international tender to purchase at least 50,000 tonnes of wheat from any origin excluding the United States and Romania, European traders said.

Hapag-Lloyd to open shipping agency in Dubai (01/30/2012)

Hapag-Lloyd will open its own shipping agency in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in a joint venture with its existing third party agent, Inchcape Shipping Services.

Agriculture products help boost Tacoma's 2011 container exports (01/30/2012)

Increased exports of agriculture products helped boost the Port of Tacoma's full containerized export volumes by 11 percent in 2011.

Farm2Rail group proposes multi-loop shuttle rail facility in southeast Minnesota (01/30/2012)

A business partnership called Farm2Rail Inc. recently announced it’s in the preliminary stages of developing a 300-acre, multi-loop rail facility near St Charles, Minn. The facility will provide shippers in southeastern Minnesota better access to “the economic and environmental benefits of shipping agricultural-related freight by rail,” Farm2Rail officials said in a prepared statement.

Report touts popularity of soymilk, rising impact of dairy alternative beverages (01/30/2012)

The increasing popularity of dairy alternative beverages, including soymilk, has contributed $1.33 billion in revenue for the industry segment in 2011, according to a new report from Packaged Facts. According to the report, soymilk remains the most popular dairy alternative beverage.

New certification program for pet food manufacturers announced (01/30/2012)

At the American Feed Industry Association’s (AFIA) Pet Food Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. on Jan. 24, AFIA announced a new third-party facility certification program designed specifically for manufacturing pet food and pet food ingredients

Argentina’s corn crop hit by drought (01/30/2012)

Drought in Argentina has led to its agriculture ministry cutting production forecasts for its two main crops.

USB study finds crumbling inland waterway system puts farmers and consumers at risk; “ticking time bomb” (01/30/2012)

Deteriorating condition of the U.S. lock and dam system puts the competiveness of U.S. soybean farmers at risk according to a study funded by the United Soybean Board’s (USB’s) and the soybean checkoff’s Global Opportunities (GO) program.

GM barley trials a success, say Aussie researchers (01/23/2012)

The first year of salt-tolerant genetically modified barley trials near Corrigin, in Australia, have been hailed a success by researchers from the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG).

Gavilon may be sold, employees told (01/23/2012)

OMAHA, NEBRASKA, U.S. — Privately-held Gavilon L.L.C., one of the largest grain, processing and merchandising companies in the United States, is being put up for sale, according to reliable sources in the company.

U.S. port infrastructure ranks 23rd in world (01/23/2012)

The United States, the number one global economic market, ranks 23rd for port infrastructure behind countries that include Namibia, Barbados and Estonia, according to the World Economic Forum.

Port of Seattle records third-biggest box-handling year (01/23/2012)

The Port of Seattle announced it posted the third-busiest-ever year ever in its history in 2011, handling 2.03 million TEUs, down slightly from 2010’s record-breaking year of 2.1 million TEUs.

Shipping operators face $100 bil in ballast water retrofit costs (01/23/2012)

The International Maritime Organization is expected to ratify a binding ruling at its convention this year that would end up requiring shipping line operators to retrofit 60,000 vessels with technologies to battle diseases and invasive species in ballast water at a total reported cost of $100 billion.

2012 Non-GMO Sourcebook now available; MSA members listed among 750 suppliers of non-GMO seeds, grains, ingredients, feed & food (01/23/2012)

Evergreen Publishing, Inc. announces publication of The 2012 Non-GMO Sourcebook, the world’s only “farm to fork” directory of suppliers of non-genetically modified (non-GMO) products.

CME, ICE to Propose Post-MF Global Rule Changes (01/23/2012)

U.S. futures exchange operators led by CME Group Inc. plan to propose ways to better safeguard customer funds, even as regulators still hunt for as much as $1.2 billion missing after last year's collapse of MF Global Holdings Ltd, news wires reported last week.

Study Shows Soybeans Most Affected by Reduced Dredging of Mississippi River (01/23/2012)

A study released last Wednesday shows that soybeans and other agricultural commodities will be the most affected by draft reductions brought on by reduced dredging on the Mississippi River.

Funding secured for maintenance of Lower Mississippi River; additional $55 million means dredging to commence immediately (01/23/2012)

Port of New Orleans officials are hailing successful efforts in Congress to direct vital maintenance dollars to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore the Lower Mississippi River deep-draft channel to its authorized dimensions.

Minnesota Soybean Growers celebrate 50th anniversary (01/23/2012)

The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) celebrated their 50th anniversary since their founding in 1962 at a reception Sunday evening, January 22 in Mankato, MN, where MSGA and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) teamed up to host the MN Ag EXPO 2012.

Michigan city forced to pick up harbor dredging costs due to “drastic cuts” to U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (01/16/2012)

Drastic cuts to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ budget mean Hollanders will have to pick up the $210,000 annual cost of dredging the Holland (Michigan) harbor.

Report: Obama admin sends Coast Guard to protect ships from violent union members, occupiers (01/16/2012)

President Barack Obama’s administration has ordered the United States Coast Guard to protect grain ships at the Port of Longview from violent “Occupy” protesters and dockworker union members, according to a local news report.

Shenzhen reaches out to Hong Kong in huge port expansion plan aimed at overtaking Shanghai (01/16/2012)

Southern China’s municipality of Shenzhen has released a plan to develop a $45 billion logistics hub, and is reportedly looking to next-door neighbor Hong Kong to participate in the venture, that the project’s proponents hope could rival Shanghai to become one of the world’s largest port complexes.

CP railroad shareholder launches proxy battle; wants former CN chief to take over (01/16/2012)

The largest shareholder in the Canadian Pacific is reportedly launching into a proxy battle to replace directors on the board and the company’s chief executive with the former head of the Canadian National Railway.

Questions remain about organic foods grown in China (01/16/2012)

It's no secret that China has a tainted food problem. The Seattle Times last week reported on questions that remain about organic foods grown in China.

Importers, shippers argue Harbor Maintenance tax doesn’t shift cargo to Canada in FMC inquiry; Seattle pushes to end HMT “tax loophole” (01/16/2012)

Importers aren’t shifting U.S-bound containers through Canadian ports because they want to avoid paying the Harbor Maintenance Tax, according to the majority comments of made in a Federal Maritime Commission inquiry. However, the port of Seattle argued that the Canadian routes represent an HMT tax “loophole” that should be closed, according to reports in the Journal of Commerce.

Heartland Shippers Conference set for Des Moines -- Midwest Shippers Association co-sponsor, plans Iowa ag exporters roundtable (01/16/2012)

Getting cargo in and out of the nation’s heartland is challenging for a variety of reasons, and the Heartland Shippers’ Conference, to be held April 17-18 in Des Moines, IA, will address these themes among others pertinent to the global supply chain’s vital connection to the region and its developing infrastructure.

The myth of Japan’s failure – NYT opinion feature (01/09/2012)

There is a common myth held in business circles that Japan’s economy and national lifestyle have experienced major decline since it was hit hard by the stock market declines of the 1990s. Not so, according to a guest opinion feature in the New York Times by author Eamonn Fingleton on January 6. Excerpts follow here. Follow the link for the full version that points out Japan’s success story.

Exporters urge Congress to increase Ex-Im Bank lending cap (01/09/2012)

U.S. exporters say they may have trouble financing projects unless Congress lifts the lending cap of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Journal of Commerce reports.

Changes to wheat board proving divisive for western wheat, barley farmers (01/09/2012)

Historic changes are on the horizon for western Canadian grain farmers and the ripples could be felt from a tiny port town in northern Manitoba to grocery store shelves. Federal legislation allowing Prairie producers to sell their wheat and barley to whomever they choose is expected to become law by the end of this year. That means, after almost seven decades, they will no longer be forced to market their grain through the Canadian Wheat Board. The issue has been a divisive one.

Global shipping economist Kemmsies calls transload facilities development possible windfall for U.S. ports (01/09/2012)

“In terms of international trade, this could be America’s finest hour,” says Dr. Walter Kemmsies, chief economist for Moffatt & Nichols, a noted port and maritime consultancy. Kemmsies, an expert on international trade forecasts, says that world demand for agricultural products has risen dramatically in the past few years, and shows no sign of slacking

Analyst says US export growth will outpace GDP in 2012 (01/09/2012)

A prominent transportation economist has forecast the value of U.S. exports in 2012 will grow at twice the rate of GDP, with the value of outbound shipments expected to expand 5 to 6 percent, according to a Journal of Commerce news report.

Midwest Shippers Association issues comments to FMC inquiry; warns against any new tax on inland container cargo moving through Canada, Mexico to Midwest (01/09/2012)

The Midwest Shippers Association (MSA) has filed comments in a formal Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) inquiry, due January 9, 2012, on U.S. Inland Containerized Cargo Moving through Canadian and Mexican Seaports. MSA expressed concerns about speculation that the inquiry could become a basis for establishing a new countervailing tax on container shipments entering the U.S. via rail from Canada or Mexico to the Midwest, arguing the downstream results could be harmful to exporters, particularly in the Upper Midwest region.

New shipping alliances to prolong rate wars, Alphaliner predicts (01/02/2012)

The recent new alliances on Asia-Europe trade lanes threatens to prolong “unrelenting” rate wars and could spell “disaster” for ocean carriers in 2012, ocean shipping consulting firm Alphaliner has warned.

Rail intermodal volume soars 22.9 percent compared a year ago- AAR (01/02/2012)

Intermodal volume for major U.S. railroads soared 22.9 percent year-over-year in the week ending Dec. 24, a likely signal that businesses were moving to replenish their lean inventories heading into the New Year, the Journal of Commerce reports.

MF Global sows winter of discontent for CME (01/02/2012)

Agricultural bankers and other players in the world's grain markets say fallout from the collapse of giant broker MF Global is changing cash grain trading and fueling calls for alternatives and reforms, according to a Reuters newsier report.

Food security top concern in many countries in 2012 (01/02/2012)

The year 2011 began with fearful memories of the 2008 global food crisis. That was a time when surging food prices swept the world, giving rise to riots, trade bans, and panicked hoarding. Millions of people standing on the verge of poverty fell back into the pit. To many, the threat of hunger and malnutrition once again loomed on the horizon. Food security remains the top priority concern in many countries at the start of 2012.

Bugs becoming resistant to genetically modified corn (01/02/2012)

One of the nation's most widely planted crops — a genetically engineered corn plant that makes its own insecticide — may be losing its effectiveness because a major pest appears to be developing resistance more quickly than scientists expected, according to a news wire reports out last week.

SK Foods announces new ingredients line of IP pea, lentil and edible beans powders, flakes (12/23/2011)

SK Food International, a Midwest Shippers Association member company, recently introduced the addition of Identity Preserved Certified Organic and Conventional Non-GMO precooked bean, pea and lentil powders and flakes to its extensive line of premium quality ingredients.

GAO says ports left $1.3 billion in Homeland Security grants unused (12/23/2011)

Ports spent only 23.6 percent of $1.7 billion in port security grants that the Department of Homeland Security awarded between fiscal 2006 and 2010, according to a Government Accountability Office report released early this week, the Journal of Commerce reports

ADM-Benson Quinn to build shuttle loader elevator served by TC&W and linked to three class 1rails (12/23/2011)

ADM-Benson Quinn and United Farmers Coop (UFC) announced on Dec. 19 the formation of a joint venture that will build and operate a grain elevator in Brownton, Minnesota, U.S., with a total storage capacity of 3.6 million bushels. The Twin Cities & Western Railroad, a Midwest Shippers Association shipping supplier member, will provide direct service to the new facility, providing connections to three class one railroads.

Tacoma container exports up 14.2 percent (12/23/2011)

Asian demand for grain helped pushed loaded container exports up 14.2 percent at the Port of Tacoma in the first 11 months of 2011, the Journal of Commerce reports. Total Tacoma container traffic is up 3.2 percent year-over-year to 1.3 million 20-foot container units at the Washington port. Specialty grains, along with paper, paperboard and wood products, are the port’s main containerized exports.

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