Terminal Investment: Bahia Blanca, Gulfport

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Louis Dreyfus Commodities, one of Argentina’s largest agri-businesses, will spend more than $15 million to upgrade and expand its export terminal in the Port of Bahia Blanca. A Wisconsin-based biomass energy producer is moving forward with plans to locate an export facility at the Port of Gulfport.

Global Commodities Trader Louis Dreyfus Commits to $15.4 Million Facility Expansion in Bahia Blanca

Louis Dreyfus Commodities terminal in Bahía Blanca
Photo/Consorcio Gestión del Puerto de Bahía Blanca

Louis Dreyfus Commodities, one of Argentina’s largest agri-businesses, will significantly expand its grain handling capabilities at the Port of Bahia Blanca under an amendment to its 2008 concession agreement with Consorcio Gestión del Puerto de Bahia Blanca (CGPBB). The company has been loading vessels in Bahia Blanca for just over a hundred years.

The Dreyfus facility in the Puerto Galvan area of the port is one of several grain handling terminals serving Bahia Blanca. Together these terminals loaded nearly 7.6 million tons of corn, wheat, malt, barley and other grain and grain products for export in 2013.

The deal was approved by the CGPBB board in June and signed July 29 at its headquarters by representatives of the port and Dreyfus subsidiary LDC Argentina S.A.

The company is expecting to invest more than US$15.4 million in the project, which will include two hoppers to accommodate trucks, four metal sheet silos (each with 5,265 tons of storage capacity), relocating an empty truck scale, construction of new exit roads for empty trucks, modification and extension of a rail car receiving track, and adding facilities and installing equipment to expedite intra-terminal material transfers.

Gulfport Lures Wood Pellet Exporter Waters’ New Biotech

A Wisconsin-based biomass energy producer is moving forward with plans to locate an export facility at the Port of Gulfport.

Mississippi State Port Authority commissioners have approved a Letter of Intent concerning the possible lease by Waters’ New Biotech of five to seven acres on West Pier.

The company supplies biomass energy through the manufacturing of wood pellets, integrated with gasification power at a combined-heat-and-power (CHP) facility to promote viable forms of renewable energy.

The company is looking to house an export facility at the Port of Gulfport starting with an initial lease for 30 years, plus three, 10-year extension options. The company is also thinking of relocating its corporate offices to Pelahatchie (MS), where its manufacturing facility will be located.

"We have a business plan to scale to the size of the market," said Edward Waters, Waters’ New Biotech chairman of the board. "We are able to supply from any one location and Gulfport has the location, logistics, and vision to be a key partner in this unique endeavor."

Waters’ New Biotech, which could begin Gulfport operations during fourth quarter 2015, plans to export 300,000 tons of pellets in its first year and 800,000 tons by year five.

"Having Waters’ New Biotech at the Port allows us to work hand-in-hand with one of Mississippi’s strongest agricultural industries," said Jonathan Daniels, the port authority’s executive director and CEO. "It also opens up a new trade lane going into Europe."