RESERVE — Archer Daniels Midland Company’s grain export elevator in Reserve could be closed for more than eight months following a recent collision with a tanker vessel owned by a third party company.

The export elevator suffered significant damage in the crash, which also damaged an ADM chartered vessel at the Reserve facility, located at 2032 Highway 44.

ADM spokesperson Jackie Anderson said the company is still analyzing the impact of the damage.

“…On a preliminary basis, we expect the Reserve facility to be closed for at least eight months while we make repairs,” Anderson said.

The Reserve facility has played a key role in ADM’s grain export operations since 1993.

Anderson said ADM is one of the largest soybean export terminals in the world by volume.

The company employs 40,000 employees to serve customers in nearly 200 countries while maintaining a local footprint in the River Parishes.

“ADM is working with farmers and customers to meet their needs using our other export elevators in the region, including ADM’s facilities at Ama and Destrehan,” Anderson said.

Customers or supplies with questions should contact Matthew Hopkins, ADM Grain vice president of exports, at Matthew.Hopkins@adm.com .