WINNIPEG, MB, Aug. 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Richardson International Limited is pleased to announce it is loading the first vessel of the season in the Port of Churchill. Yesterday, the M.V. Ikan Suji began loading 35 200 tonnes of No. 2 Canada Western Red Spring Wheat originating from Richardson Pioneer elevators in Manitoba and northeastern Saskatchewan destined for Mexico.
"Churchill is an important port for Richardson and we are pleased to have another large shipping program in place for 2014," says Curt Vossen, President and CEO of Richardson International. "Last year, we extended the shipping season by several weeks loading the last vessel on November 12 and we expect to have another strong season this year."
While Richardson has shipped grains and oilseeds such as peas and canola through Churchill for decades, the company's use of the Port has increased significantly since the open market for wheat and barley was created in August 2012.
"The Port of Churchill has become a major shipping point for us as it provides another viable opportunity to move western Canadian grains and oilseeds to customers around the world," says Vossen. "With record crops and the capacity challenges we are facing each year, we are making use of all available rail and port terminal capacity to move farmers' grain as quickly as possible."
Richardson ships mainly wheat, barley, canola and peas through Churchill to customers in countries around the world, specifically in Latin and South America and Europe. The company has a long history with the Port of Churchill. Richardson shipped the first cargo of wheat from the Port on October 11, 1929, when the Engava set course for Liverpool, England with a shipment of Manitoba wheat.
Richardson International is Canada's largest agribusiness and is recognized as a global leader in agriculture and food processing. Based in Winnipeg, Richardson is a worldwide handler and merchandiser of all major Canadian-grown grains and oilseeds and a vertically-integrated processor and manufacturer of oats and canola-based products. One of Canada's Best Managed Companies, Richardson has over 2,500 employees across Canada and the U.S.
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