THE company behind an innovative product with the capacity to increase the number of food-grade sea containers available for wheat exports is sweating on gaining rapid approval for its use from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).
OsPack Systems has designed a sea container liner that makes food-grade sea containers safe for exporting wheat.
The new liners could solve the dire shortage in the number available to export wheat from WA this harvest.
They would also open up more marketing opportunities for local growers looking to export more wheat by using the rapidly expanding sea container market.
Industry sources say the liners may not be the saviour, but believe it could assist with bringing great financial benefits to WA growers if AQIS approves the system in time for the 2008-09 harvest.
OsPack Systems specialise in the manufacturing of product protection packaging for storing and transporting cargo.
The Victorian-based company provides container liners for some of the world's biggest companies and it has spent the past six months designing a food-safe container liner suitable for wheat exports.
It was modified from another liner they developed and patented, supplying Manildra Flour Mills in NSW.
The liner has been demonstrated over recent months to global shipping companies such as Maersk, Hamburg Sud, Evergreen and COSCO, all with positive feedback.
OsPack Systems managing director Ken Osborne said the product had been unofficially endorsed by the international shipping companies because they recognised its benefits.
Mr Osborne said the companies saw great potential in its use to overcome the critical shortage and expense of food-grade sea containers in Australia.
However, the companies do not get the final say.
Mr Osborne said after the demonstrations the companies had directed OsPack to Shipping Australia to get AQIS approval.
He said he now feared this process could be held up in lengthy administrative delays which could lead to lost opportunities for WA grain growers who are now looking to take "full advantage" of the greater selling opportunities available to them from a deregulated Australian wheat export industry.
"We have canvassed all the accredited export wheat packers in Australia and have received very positive feedback from them," Mr Osborne said.
"We are now awaiting a quick response from AQIS.
"The timing of this approval is vital to avoid missing shipments of grain and other agricultural exports."