With boots on the ground, the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) is excited to promote a direct shipping route for soy from Minnesota to Europe during visits Sept. 2-6 to Rotterdam, Netherlands, and Antwerp, Belgium.  

The trip, hosted by Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA), seeks to explore and promote the interconnectivity of commerce utilizing the U.S. St. Lawrence Seaway, a shipping lane that, with biofuel availability, is set to become one of the greenest shipping lanes in the world for exports.   

MSR&PC is building on a 10-year foundation of research and outreach surrounding the movement of products through the St. Lawrence Seaway. In August 2023, the Council visited Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and earlier this month toured the Hansen-Mueller terminal in Duluth, Minnesota, which can export vessels out of the Duluth port via the St. Lawrence Seaway.  

“We are looking forward to heading to Rotterdam and Antwerp to view the ports and learn more about transportation options to that area,” said MSR&PC Vice Chair Gail Donkers, who farms in Faribault and will be attending the visit. “We will also meet with companies that are interested in exporting goods into the port of Duluth as a back haul, which is vital to transportation.” 

Donkers will be joined by MSR&PC directors Ron Obermoller, Gene Stoel, Joel Schreurs, Paul Freeman and Corey Hanson, along with Rose Wendinger representing the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. Other attendees include leaders from Wisconsin Soybean, Illinois Soybean, Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), ocean carriers, European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC), the European Animal Feed processing industry and regional economic development groups, among others.   

There will also be a USDA briefing on market development opportunities and a chance to learn more about the future opportunities the St. Lawrence Seaway provides.