Scrutiny for Oz grain port access

Australia’s unprecedented 58.9 Mt 2016-17 grain harvest – up 49% on the previous year – is driving further port records as exports flow through in bulk and containers.

Grain terminals in Port Adelaide and Port Kembla have been relieved of a compliance burden after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a final decision to exempt them from parts of a regulatory regime.

Australia’s grain handling sector could be set for a major shakeup, with a consortium anchored by GrainCorp pushing to corporatise the growerowned CBH Group.

A robust attitude by Western Australian rail network owner Brookfield Rail (BR) towards the state’s grain producers/handlers is having apparent consequences for parent Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, in its efforts to get regulatory clearance for its proposed takeover of Asciano.

An increase in new operators has encouraged the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to relax regulation of east coast and southern port grain terminals.

On 1 October, the Australian government introduced a mandatory port access code of conduct for bulk wheat exports, in the latest stage of deregulation of the grain industry.