For the first time in 13 years, the Port of Brownsville resumed the export of grains overseas via vessel.

WestPlains LLC, the operator of the port’s grain elevator, loaded 34,000 metric tons of sorghum onto the M/V Tian Fu in late-August. The sorghum was harvested from throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

This is the first of four vessels with sorghum that WestPlains will ship to China this year.

The port completed the rehabilitation of the Bulk Cargo Dock in early 2020, providing improved waterside access to the three million-bushel grain elevator operated by WestPlains. WestPlains and the port are partnering to modernize and enhance the operational efficiency of the specialized dock, with the port investing $5 million in the project.