Largest grain ship ever loaded in the Humber sets sale with nearly 50,000 tonnes of feed wheat

MV Komatsushima Star loads at the Humber International Terminal, Immingham with nearly 50,000 mt of UK feed wheat bound for the Far East.

“In a situation where exports have proved difficult in an oversupplied global market, this shipment is good news for all involved, says David Sheppard, managing director of Gleadell Agriculture. It is an example of the cooperation 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 cooperation provided by our shareholder Toepfer International.”

Mark Ranby, Gleadells Shipping Manager, points out that MV Komatsushima Star is the largest grain vessel Gleadell have loaded – and the largest grain vessel ever loaded in the Humber. “The operation was certainly a logistic challenge for us with over 1,750 wagon loads to be planned and coordinated to complete the loading on a 24-hour day and night schedule.  However, thanks to the assistance given by staff at ABP Grimsby and Immingham, and the large number of farmers and hauliers who took part in the operation, the ship was loaded on time and is now on the high seas on its way to the Far East.”

John Fitzgerald, ABPs Port Director, Grimsby & Immingham adds: 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 our long-standing relationship.  We have proved that together we can efficiently load high volumes of grain in deep-sea vessels.”