USSEC and members of the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) recently traveled to Japan to better understand the transportation capabilities and logistics of U.S. soy shipments and identify future opportunities for ISA’s container transportation strategies.
The delegation met with port officials, major trading firms, and Japanese crushers to see the advantages of location and developed logistical infrastructure. They also met with container shipping companies including: MOL, NYK Logistics, K-Line, Suzue and Ports of Yokohoma. The ISA hosted a reception where David Miller, agricultural minister for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, welcomed Japanese soybean industry leaders.
The Illinois team presented its vision of ongoing infrastructure upgrades and expanded capacity for container logistics to address this issue. Illinois soybean production is expected to increase 30 percent by 2020.
The ISA directors that participated in the trip include: Bill Wykes, chairman; Ron Kindred, marketing committee vice chair; Paul Rasmussen, transportation committee chair; Scott Sigman, transportation and export infrastructure contractor; and Mike Levin, issues management and analysis director. In addition, Paul Burke, USSEC North Asia regional director; Mitsuyuki Nishimura, Japan country director; and Masi Tateishi, Japan human utilization contractor, participated in the meetings.