By Admin. Updated 3:07 p.m., Thursday, December 12, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The East Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC), which describes itself as the OECS’ biggest exporter of Flour, Rice and Animal Feeds, said today it celebrated the arrival of its largest grain vessel in 22 years at the Campden Park port.
In a December 12 press release, the ECGC said: “Theimpressive 600 ft long vessel, carrying a substantial cargo of wheat, corn, and soya, is currently docked at the ECGC port, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to regional food security.”
“Better economics of large ships strengthen OECS food security. This groundbreaking ship size, at 600 feet in length, was facilitated with vessel owners United Bulk Carriers (UBC), and is monumental for the OECS, underscoring ECGC’s ongoing transformation. By securing larger shipments and sharing grain vessels with other producers inthe region, ECGC is further strengthening supply reliability, and price stability for its flour andfeed customers in the OECS region,” the company said.
The rest of the release:
“This is a proud moment for UBC,” said Amr Mostafa, President of United Bulk Carriers (UBC,)who is in St. Vincent & the Grenadines where he visited the ECGC Port. “Facilitating theefficient transport of essential grains plays a crucial role in strengthening regional foodsecurity. We are committed to working with partners like ECGC to optimize shippingefficiencies and contribute to stable and affordable food supplies.”
ECGC CEO, J. Robert Cato, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are proactive in ensuring food security in the OECS. By leveraging larger vessels, we optimize our supply chain and ultimately contribute to consistent availability and affordable food prices for our customers.”ECGC sources premium wheat, soya and corn from the USA, which is shipped to the company’s port facility in Campden Park. The vessel docked at the ECGC port has a capacity of 38,000 metric tons of grain.
ECGC Regional Investment in Storage Coming.Further strengthening its commitment to regional food security, ECGC also announced it isconsidering significant storage investments in St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua Barbuda, St. Lucia andDominica. These investments include expanding warehouse capacity for efficient storageand distribution, ensuring a consistent and reliable “rolling supply” of essential food productsacross these islands for Consumers, Bakers, Farmers, Supermarkets, Hotels and Restaurants.
“To guarantee the consistent supply of flour, feeds, and rice in the OECS, we are focused on two key areas: supply chain reliability and storage capacity,” explained Cato “Our plannedinvestments in St. Kitts & Nevis Antigua, Barbuda St. Lucia and Dominica demonstrate ourdedication to serving the entire OECS region,” added Cato. “By enhancing our infrastructureand logistics, we are ensuring that communities across these islands have access to a steadyand affordable supply of essential food items.”This latest shipment along with the planned investments in the OECS islands underscoresECGC’s dedication to maintaining a steady supply of high-quality grains, allowing thecompany to uphold price stability for its flour and animal feed products.
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About ECGC: Founded in 1977, ECGC is a Caribbean grown company headquartered in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. ECGC operatesflour mills, feed mills, rice distribution and beverage manufacturing Plants. ECGC exports Grains & Beverage brands to the OECS, the widerCaribbean and the World.
About the OECS: The OECS is an (11) eleven-member grouping of islands spread across the Eastern Caribbean. Together, they form a near-continuous archipelago across the eastern reaches of the Caribbean Sea. They comprise the Leeward Islands: Antigua and Barbuda, SaintKitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands; and the Windward Islands: Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & theGrenadines and Grenada, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.
