Grain Handling

Waterways are the Future

10.04.2008 | Author / Deskman: D. Neuschütz, Switzerland / Marcel Dröttboom

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Bühler Ship-Unloader PORTALINK 80O unloading grain

In 2030 about 400 million tons of grain may have to be moved across the globe, 100 million more than in 2005. What is behind this dynamic development, and how can the impact of this development on the ecology and economics of grain transport be reduced?

In crop production, large volumes of water are needed. To enable plant growth in the first place, one kilogram of wheat – to take this example – requires 1000 litres of water. With the contents of a water dispenser (contents: 18.9 litres), you could therefore produce only a meagre 19 grams or 25 millilitres of wheat.

As the distribution of fresh water varies widely across our planet, it is not possible to produce sufficient quantities of food everywhere. To achieve a balance in the availability of grain supplies, this produce is therefore shipped by high-capacity vessels across the world’s oceans. The Buhler Grain Handling (GH) business unit specializes in the fast loading and unloading of these ships and the proper storage of the grain in terminals.

Virtual Water

Scientists frequently call the quantity of water required for plant growth “virtual water”. With a conversion rate of 1000:1 from water to grain, it becomes immediately apparent why it is much more economical and ecological to ship grain around the world and not water. In Africa, for example, plant growth requires several times more water, since a large portion evaporates.

The reasons for the increase in global grain streams are essentially the following: Population growth to over 8 billion humans by the year 2030, the increasing scarcity or unequal distribution of water, changes in eating habits, and the elimination of trade barriers (WTO). Especially in developing and newly industrializing countries, the trend is toward a Western lifestyle with a higher consumption of meat. But to produce one kilogram of meat, 10 to 15 kilograms of feed grain are needed, which in turn translates into 10 to 15 thousand litres of water.

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