Myrtle Grove export terminal back in business, first vessel loading since Hurricane Ida

The CHS Myrtle Grove, La., grain export terminal is operational following four weeks of cleanup and storm recovery. The first vessel since late August arrived at the dock Sept. 24 and is being loaded. Prep work to enable the vessel loading included resuming barge unloading and testing all bin and conveyer systems. Myrtle Grove employees have resumed 24/7 work shifts. An auxiliary power plant is still being used to generate electricity. It’s anticipated that utility power will be restored within the next week.
 
“Hurricane Ida made quite a mess of our 30-acre site, but the Myrtle Grove team reaction was swift, focused and truly remarkable,” says Kevin Hall, vice president, supply chain and continuous improvement. “Within hours, Sarah Fakhari, terminal manager, and the leadership team contacted employees to determine their safety and locations, then began executing detailed electrical, mechanical and environmental response and business continuity plans.”  
 
Elsewhere, commercial transportation and logistics teams quickly informed customers and rerouted trains, barges and vessels. Additional recovery support is coming from CHS strategic sourcing, IT, insurance, human resources, operations, supply chain and risk management, finance, communications and EHS.  
 
Much of the heavy lifting is done, but Hall says the long hours aren’t over. Within the next few days, Myrtle Grove staff will move into two temporary offices. Improved (but not permanent) breakrooms and restrooms are being readied; more production crew teams will resume their shifts and duties; and other coworkers will continue monitoring systems and troubleshooting bottlenecks.