“We can allow the Shearer to sail not fully loaded and still be profitable, Mr Balzarini said.
Even at 20 to 30 per cent, it can be profitable if we have the right cargo.
The longer the voyage the more efficient the ship becomes, he said.
At times, space on the Shearer will be leased to other exporters but typically it will carry only Wellard stock.
It will be manned by a crew from Croatia and the Philippines.
The Shearer will be able to supply cattle from Australia to northern China in 15 days.
The size and speed of the Shearer provides both flexibility and efficiencies as markets expand and distances increase.
The beauty of our model is its flexibility, Mr Balzarini said.
If MLA says there are no more cattle in Australia, we go elsewhere.”
