MV Armia Krajowa (39,071DWT) loading Soyabeans on a nice sunny day at the port of Santos, Brazil.
Soybeans are originated in East Asia and are now widely grown and consumed throughout the world. According to the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, soybeans are the number one source of plant-derived protein on the planet. The Chinese began cultivating soybeans over 3,000 years ago.
They are rich sources of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals and are commonly used in a variety of foods, including tofu, soy milk, tempeh, and soy sauce.
Soybean oil is another important byproduct of soybeans, which is widely used in cooking and food processing. It is a versatile oil with a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it ideal for frying and baking.
Soybean meal is another common byproduct of soybeans, which is produced by grinding the leftover soybean solids after the oil has been extracted (the crushing process). Soybean meal is a rich source of protein and is commonly used as an animal feed, particularly for poultry, swine, and dairy cattle.
Other byproducts of soybeans include soy flour, which is made by grinding whole soybeans into a fine powder and is used as a protein-rich ingredient in baked goods and other food products, and soy lecithin, which is a natural emulsifier used in a wide variety of food products, including confectionery items, baked goods, and salad dressings.
Overall, soybeans and their byproducts are widely used in the food and agriculture industries and provide important sources of protein, fiber, and other essential nutrients.
AEC’s Bulk wheat program
AEC continue our active bulk wheat program with trades that have formed part of the company’s core business since the inception.
MV Bunun Justice, a 37,748 mts Dwat vessel, discharging bulk wheat at the port of Salvador, brazil.
AEC becomes a signatory of The Gulf of Guinea Declaration on Suppression of Piracy
The security situation in the Gulf of Guinea is still unacceptable, with hundreds of seafarers kidnapped and held for ransom under dangerous conditions in the Niger Delta.
The piracy incidents are growing in complexity and violence: in 2021 there have been cases of pirates breaking into citadels and during the process of one such incident,
a seafarer was shot and killed. The level of violence in the area was demonstrated by the pirates who opened fire on the helicopter and RHIBs from the Danish frigate,
Esben Snare on 24 November, 2021. Five pirates were killed in the subsequent exchange of fire and one was wounded whilst the rest were captured and the skiff was sunk.
In mid-2021, BIMCO launched the attached Declaration on Suppression of Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea after having consulted key stakeholders in the industry and having
taken into consideration some valid points raised by ICS. The Declaration calls for a series of concrete actions by states, emphasizing the need for short-term as well as
longer-term responses. One of the simple yet effective solutions includes modest naval intervention from non-regional forces in cooperation with Gulf of Guinea states’ navies.
This initiative should make it easier for various national parliaments to commit naval forces for antipiracy operations (as already done by the Danes and the Italians)
because it constitutes such a clear call for action from a large cross section of the shipping industry.
To date, there is support from over 515 shipping stakeholders including the three biggest flag states as well as some of the largest shipowners and ship managers from
around the world plus a selection of P&I Clubs and organizations such as The World Economic Forum. T
The Declaration has been submitted to IMO MSC by BIMCO and co-sponsored by Liberia, Panama, ITF, BIMCO, INTERMANAGER, and World Shipping Council.