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Summary
The Portland Bulk Terminals facility - a joint venture between Canpotex Limited and Hall-Buck Marine Inc. celebrates the first full year of its official opening on 12 September. The facility represents a remarkable collaboration between the Canadian potash exporters, its partner in the venture, and the Port of Portland, and augurs well for the long-term competitiveness of the Canadian suppliers in meeting the needs of the international market for potash. Here, Rick Lacroix, Executive Vice President of pcs Sales, describes the factors which led Canpotex to invest in Portland.Abstract
Limiting risks and increasing capacity are the constant objectives of any logistical operation. When the joint Canpotex/Hall-Buck Marine Portland Bulk Terminals opened in March 1997, it sought to deliver on both of these objectives. While only 250 miles from the Vancouver shipping operations, it represents a world of difference in the Canadian industry's ability to meet growing international demand for potash. In a single move, the industry doubled its West Coast shipping options and increased capacity by 40%. In effect, the terminal ensures the long-term ability of Canpotex to meet ever-growing customer demand for high-quality potash.
When Canpotex started to look for a new port facility, it evaluated nine different options and came up with a shortlist of three. In the end, the search committee agreed that Portland would best serve Canpotex's customers.
Summary
The Port of Longview, Washington state, enjoys a unique position at the crossroads of us trade in agricultural products. Fertilizers also play a key part in the port's fortunes, as International Raw Materials (lRM) continues to enjoy considerable success in handling bulk exports of the full range of primary fertilizers from its modern terminal.Abstract
Trading has been a part of the Columbia River's heritage since before US explorers Lewis and Clark made their historic trek across the western United States in the early 19th century. The rapid development of the United States west of the Mississippi led to the Prairies becoming the bread-basket ofthe northern hemisphere. From the earliest days, the Prairie farmers were able to reap abundant harvests, which far exceeded the needs of the Midwestern hinterland, and wheat and corn were thus shipped via the transcontinental railroads to offshore markets.
Summary
The IMC World Food Production Conference has a pedigree which extends back to 1965. The meeting's continued success and validity can be attributed to its ability to adapt to changing times, and the number and location of the conferences has mirrored the evolving global agricultural climate. In addition, the focus of the information presented has evolved to reflect new technologies, a heightened interest in protecting natural resources, and new demands in the production of food and fibre.Abstract
The World Food Production Conference is not new to Australia. IMC Global's third conference was held in Sydney in 1967, when Food Production to Tide Against Worldwide Hunger andStarvation was the theme. Sydney again became the location for the Conference in 1981. That year, the focus was on new productivity in the world of agriculture. Now, three decades after that first meeting in Australia, 1MC Global again is reconvening in the land Down Under - this time in Melbourne, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel from 11-14 October.
While Australia's land is old and fragile, the country's adoption ofmodern fertilisation and other agricultural practices has transformed much of its vast farming area into highly productive soil. The very growth and progress that has taken place in Australia over the years makes this settingthe ideal platform for the 45th World Food Production Conference and its theme, A World ofGrowth.
Summary
Robert E. Fowler, Jr., IMC Global Chairman, President and CEO, outlines the background to this year's World Food Conference. Advances in the technology available to farmers and the globalisation of trade are major factors which can be harnessed to enhance food security throughout the world.Abstract
The World Food Production Conference serves as a global round table for world agricultural decision-makers to exchange ideas on helping ensure food security into the next century. A growing population and the need to improve the average diet continue to test the world of agriculture today. As we near the new millennium, new technologies and a developing global market place will, more than ever before, affect the way we think about agriculture and its capacity to feed the world.
In developed countries, farmers are learning to use biotechnology and precision farming technology to increase efficiencies and improve productivity. The Internet, another new tool, is bringing all facets of agriculture closer together, facilitating communication between businesses and their farmer customers, as well as encouraging a very personal information exchange.
Summary
Quietly, a revolution has been taking place in BASF's Fertilizer Division. With its eyes on the future rather than the past, BASF has taken up the challenge of developing new fertilizer products for the future which will complement its existing range of traditional fertilizers and may, one day, partially replace them. These are the latest development in the continuing transformation of BASF. What these changes mean for the future are examined in this article.Abstract
In recent years, BASF has rarionalised its operations to consolidate its market position. As part of this programme, the Ludwigshafen production complex has become the focal point for the manufacture ofammoniumsulphate nitrate products, as well as NPK compounds. Total production at the site is abour 650,000 tla compound fertilizers and 770,000 tla straight fertilizers. Antwerp is the main source of standard commodity fertilizers - calcium ammonium nitrate and NPK compounds. Compound fertilizer and CAN manufacture is based on the ODDA nitrophosphate process, which produces an excellent quality, uniform complex fertilizers and avoids the problem ofphosphogypsum. Since 1985, the technology of the BASF nitrophosphate process has been licensed worldwide. Production capacity at Antwerp for finished fertilizers is about 2.5 million t/a. The Ostend satellite unit manufactures CAN and magnesium ammonium nitrate on the basis ofammonia supplied from the BASF pool. Production is approaching 400,000 t/a.
Summary
The image of the prancing horse has been adopted by Ferrari and Ford for their performance cars. It also symbolises high performance in the fertilizer sector, as Mustang Tampa Inc. was set up earlier this year to provide the highest standards of expertise in project management, engineering, procurement and construction management services to industry. In this interview, Steve Traum, Vice President, Business Development, describes the company's impeccable pedigree. Already, Mustang Tampa Inc. has taken to the track like a true thoroughbred....Abstract
What factors led you and your colleagues to set up Mustang Tampa, Inc? In January 1998, our former employerRaytheon Engineers & Constructors decided to close the Tampa office and consolidate our technical expertise and client base into the Birmingham, Alabama office. It was intended that only a small group of our 225-person office would be moved to Birmingham.
TheTampa office had been in existence since 1966, providing quality service to the domestic and international fertilizer and process industries. We felt that the technical expertise, superior project execurion performance and the many years of excellent service to our customers had a special value. This value would have been lost if only a limited group was moved to Birmingham and the other people were terminated. Frankly, the human cost was also too high. As a result, several of us elected to form our own company to continue serving our customers from Tampa.