If you think moving a million tonnes of grain sounds like a big deal, you’re right. And Port Kembla just pulled it off.
Nestled in the heart of Wollongong, just south of Sydney, GrainCorp’s Port Kembla terminal has been a cornerstone of NSW grain exports since its establishment in 1990.
The terminal has passed a major milestone of one million metric tonnes exported through the site this season.
Spanning 36 acres, the site’s combined capacity of over 220,000 tonnes has helped to push high-quality NSW wheat, barley, and canola through our network.
We spoke with Port Operations Manager Damien O’Connell and Site Manager Rod Newton about what it takes to move such high volumes efficiently and safely – and the team effort behind it.
“We reached the one million export tonnes milestone, which couldn’t have been achieved without the whole supply chain working closely as a team,” says Damien.
For Rod, who has worked at GrainCorp for 15 years, the day begins early with the arrival of the first trains carrying grain from regions as far west as Griffith, Wyalong, and Parkes.
“We conduct our pre-start meeting every morning,” Rod says.
“We go through the day’s plan, assess critical risks, discuss what went well, and ensure that the right people are in the right places.
“Most of my role revolves around people management. If we don’t have the right staff in the right places, we can’t operate safely or efficiently, and safety is my biggest priority.”
GrainCorp team members on site at Port Kembla
The 24-hour rail cycle from Cunningar, the nearest up-country site, ensures a constant flow of grain, making Port Kembla one of the most operationally efficient port zones on the east coast of Australia.
But it’s not all about grains – the terminal is also critical component of our bulk materials strategy, facilitating the movement of non-grain commodities such as cement and fertiliser.
“This plays a key role in reinforcing GrainCorp’s diversification strategy,” Damien says.
“Cement vessels from as far as Japan are discharged with precision and on any given day, a ship can be nearing the end of its five-day discharge period, offloading vital building materials for manufacturers across the region.”
“By managing non-grain commodities like sand, cottonseed, woodchips, and sugar, GrainCorp is strengthening its supply chain resilience and creating a more sustainable future for its operations,” Damien says.
A view of the silos at Port Kembla
The terminal’s role in connecting NSW farmers to international markets has never been more critical.
Looking to the future, there’s a clear determination to expand GrainCorp’s global reach while adapting to the ever-evolving needs of the agricultural and bulk materials industry.
From the efficient export of one million tonnes this season – and more to come – to the safe and smooth operation of diverse imports, NSW’s biggest port continues to punch well above its weight.
