National & World Ag News Headlines Southeast Asian Team Explores Grains Transportation USAgNet - 11/06/2009 The container shipping industry is facing tough economic times as a result of the worldwide recession. Those depending on container shipments to import goods have focused their attention on the industry, anticipating what the future holds with regards to price and capacity for shipments. A majority of the corn and corn co-product shipments make their way to Southeast Asia (SEA) via containers. With the increasing demand for imports of these products in the region comes an increased interest in the grains transportation element of the import business. The U.S. Grains Council, in cooperation with the American Soybean Association, hosted a team of Southeast Asian importers to the United States to address these transportation concerns, while establishing valuable relationships. The team consisted of 33 executives representing 29 companies from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore. According to Adel Yusupov, USGC regional director in Southeast Asia, the team accounts for the annual importation of 174,000 metric tons of distiller’s dried grains with solubles, 260,000 tons (10.2 million bushels) of corn, 42,000 tons of corn gluten meal, 2.3 million tons of soybean meal and 1.6 million tons of soybeans. This is the second year the two organizations hosted such a team to the United States and to the Global Soybean and Grain Transportation Conference in New Orleans. Yusupov said, “The sponsoring of this team is twofold. First, to provide a suitable venue for U.S. exporters to meet with SEA importers, facilitating the establishment of buyer-seller relationships and ultimately sales. Secondly, to educate our customers on the latest trends in the bulk and container grain transportation markets.” The team’s travels conclude Friday with the opportunity to meet with Council members, North Star Grain International LLC; J.D. Heiskell & Company; Bunge North America Inc.; Furst-McNess Company; The Scoular Company; Consolidated Grain and Barge Co.; and Brea Commodities. Copyright © 2009 - USAgNet.com. All Rights Reserved.