ARCHER Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) announced that it is investing in substantial improvements and expansions to its port facilities in Puerto San Martin, Argentina.

The improvements, which will include construction of a new berth for barge discharge and additional storage capacity, are expected to be completed by early 2016.

"From acquiring full ownership of our Black Sea terminals to quadrupling the capacity at our port in northern Brazil to this enhancement of our capabilities in Argentina, we are executing on our plan to diversify and expand our trade and origination territory," Joe Taets, president of the ADM Agricultural Services business unit, said.

The current export facilities in Puerto San Martin have an annual throughput of approximately 2 million metric tons. The company said the improvements will increase annual capacity by 25% to 2.5 mmt, allowing ADM to reduce its reliance on third-party facilities, which are currently limiting the company's ability to export increasing volumes from Paraguay.

ADM will also be able to move a larger volume of products through its fully owned network, helping it deliver on its goal of providing customers with an identity-preserved supply chain from origination to processing.

Taets said the improved Puerto San Martin facility, along with ADM's export elevator just downriver in Arroyo Seco and its deepwater port at Bahia Blanca, will have a total annual throughput capacity of 7.5 mmt.

Volume:87 Issue:21