High-speed grain export operation will drive efficiency, exports

Richmond , V A – A new , high-speed grain elevator at Richmond Marine T erminal (RM T) will expand access to world markets for Virginia farmers and drive grain exports through the growing marine terminal.

Scoular, an Omaha-based exporter of grain and feed and food ingredients to multiple international markets, opened its new grain elevator on Nov. 14. The operation is located at RMT and replaces Scoular’s older conveyor system.

The key advantage of the new operation is efficiency: the elevators can unload 20,000 bushels -- or 20 trucks -- per hour. The conveyor system was able to process roughly one truck per hour.

“This project, combined with the investments we are making at Richmond Marine Terminal and the barge serving the terminal will provide farmers in Virginia even greater access to world markets,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “Richmond Marine Terminal is growing and this expanded capability there will drive more grain exports through the terminal.

“The port is engaged in a larger capacity expansion project with a focus on efficiency and service and this project fits well with our effort: processing more cargo in less time. Scoular has been a good partner of the port for a number of years and this is a natural expansion of its operation that holds benefits for the company, our port and the state’s agriculture industry.”

Scoular now has three grain export elevators in Virginia: Richmond, Windsor and Weyers Cave.

“This new and efficient facility is part of our overall mission to create safe and reliable supply chain solutions for Virginia farmers,” said John Gill, Scoular’s senior group manager. “We have traceability and quality control over our goods all the way from the producer in Virginia to a customer in Asia who is going to use the product.”

Richmond Marine Terminal is served by three-day-a-week barge service that connects directly to the port’s terminals in the Norfolk Harbor. In early 2019, the port put a second barge into service that allows for five-day- a-week service when needed. Additionally, the port is investing in paving, new cargo conveyance equipment, new scales and an outside-the-gate lot where motor carriers can securely leave containers after hours.