Department of Agriculture

Water isn’t rising on Mississippi, but barge rates have steadied for now

Although water levels on the Mississippi are showing no signs of an upturn, barge pricing stabilized in the past week and restrictions at one of the largest barge shipping companies have not gotten any tighter.

The weekly Grain Transportation Report published late last week by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) showed barge rates slipping slightly to 549 from 556. The rates are quoted as a percentage of a base rate set to the year 2000, which represents 100. 

However, even though 549 is less...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/water-isnt-rising-on-mississippi-but-barge-rates-have-steadied-for-now

Biosecurity update: 82 recommendations “remain open”

By the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

At the recent Cargo Consultative Committee (meeting 92), the DAFF gave an update on DAFF’s management process for the for the handling of Inspector General of Biosecurity (IGB), Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) and other independent reviews into Australia’s biosecurity system.

KEY POINTS

  • The Commonwealth’s biosecurity system is subject to regular reviews by independent bodies such as the IGB, ANAO and others.
  • The Biosecurity...

https://www.shippingaustralia.com.au/biosecurity-update-82-recommendations-remain-open/

White House to ocean carriers: Take more ag exports … or else

A crane lifting containers from a vessel at a port.

The Biden administration on Friday again urged global ocean carriers to accept more export freight and restore service at underutilized West Coast ports to ease supply chain constraints and give U.S. agriculture companies a fair chance to sell their goods in overseas markets. The request signals that the White House will remain focused on trying to tighten regulation of the industry next year.

With eastbound transportation rates 10 times higher than pre-pandemic levels, vessel operators are...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/white-house-to-ocean-carriers-please-take-more-exports-or-else

“K” Line obtains Australian vessel season pest scheme accreditation

Pictured: the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (centre); Photo: Alpsdake / Wikipedia

By “K” Line

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE) has obtained “Vessel Seasonal Pest Scheme” (VSPS) accreditation from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment.

The company expects that the VSPS approval will reduce the schedule delay risk of car carrying vessels.

VSPS certification is granted to shipping companies that meet standards set by Australian Government, ‘K” Line reports. It adds that its...

https://www.shippingaustralia.com.au/k-line-obtains-australian-vessel-season-pest-scheme-accreditation/

Anti-Khapra Beetle rules must not hinder or harm the vital interests of Australia’s international trade

Unfortunately, the Khapra Beetle is a voracious destroyer of stored grain products; Photo: Suraj Tripathi from Pixabay.

Biosecurity is vital to the health and welfare of Australia’s people, its environment and its agricultural sector. Shipping Australia agrees that biosecurity is fundamentally important to Australia.

The current pest of concern is the Khapra Beetle. The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has repeatedly talked of the cost to the agricultural industries of Khapra...

https://shippingaustralia.com.au/anti-khapra-beetle-rules-must-not-hinder-or-harm-the-vital-interests-of-australias-international-trade/

Grain inspections up 71% from same time last year

Grain inspections were down last week but above four-week and three-year averages. For the week ending Sept. 10, total inspections of grain (corn, wheat, and soybeans) for export from all major U.S. export regions totaled 2.83 million metric tons (mmt).

Total grain inspections were down 8% from the previous week, up 71% from last year, and up 27% from the three-year average. Inspections were down 9% from the previous week for wheat; down 12% for soybeans; and down 1% for corn.

Mississippi Gulf...

https://www.workboat.com/news/coastal-inland-waterways/grain-inspections-up-71-from-same-time-last-year/

Port Tampa Bay slices warehouse operator’s payments

The coronavirus pandemic has spoiled a chunk of the fruit import business in the United States. Because of that decline, Port Tampa Bay’s board this week took a big slice out of a refrigerated warehouse tenant’s monthly payments. 

The board on Tuesday agreed to defer a $25,000 monthly loan payment for seven years and drop rent from $31,000 a month to 5% of revenues once those hit $5 million annually.

Port Logistics Tampa Bay leases 13.7 acres of land with a 140,000-square-foot refrigerated...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/port-tampa-bay-slices-warehouse-operators-payments

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