West Coast ports reopen amid longterm concerns
February 23, 2015 |01:23 PM
West Coast ports are near normal activity, Bloomberg reported today, but there will be backlogs. There are also concerns that similar problems may occur again in five years.
Meanwhile, farm groups called for longterm improvements at the ports.
The Agriculture Transportation Coalition said late Friday it is “extremely pleased with the news that the West Coast port labor dispute is on the verge of ending. We know that even upon ratification, clearing up the congestion will take months. And ultimately, if U.S. agriculture is to recover, we will need to see West Coast ports become more efficient, more productive than they were before the contract expired and the disruption initiated.”
The coalition noted that, over the past 10 months, “perishables have been knocked out of markets, and our customers overseas have been forced to find other, non-U.S. sources for their meat, fruit, hay, cotton, rice, nuts, french fries, lumber, and so much more.”
The coalition also pointed out: “There is nothing that we produce in agriculture here in the U.S. that cannot be sourced elsewhere in the world. If we don’t supply dependably and affordably, we lose that business.
“The Agriculture Transportation Coalition will continue to push the PMA and the ILWU to improve West Coast port productivity and efficiency, not just restore ports to pre-contract dispute levels, but to levels that will make our ports — and products our AgTC members ship through them — competitive with the best ports in the world. We are a long ways from that,” the coalition said.
American Soybean Association President Wade Cowan said, “As business owners, soybean farmers count on a smoothly operating supply chain to stay competitive. The work stoppage on the West Coast is something that continues to have ripple effects not only on soybean farms, but within the processing industry — and especially in the livestock industry that represents the top consumer of soybean meal,” said Cowan.
“Soybean farmers are proud of the role we play in the nation’s agricultural trade, and proud to be a leader on these issues,” added Cowan. “Disruptions like the one we saw out West have the potential to throw the country’s farm economy into disarray. A devastating impact like that isn’t a bargaining chip.
“It goes without saying that we are relieved to see a resolution to the dispute, and we encourage both parties to ratify this new contract and get back to work as quickly as possible,” Cowan concluded.
▪ Bloomberg — West Coast Ports Come Back to Life
Meanwhile, farm groups called for longterm improvements at the ports.
The Agriculture Transportation Coalition said late Friday it is “extremely pleased with the news that the West Coast port labor dispute is on the verge of ending. We know that even upon ratification, clearing up the congestion will take months. And ultimately, if U.S. agriculture is to recover, we will need to see West Coast ports become more efficient, more productive than they were before the contract expired and the disruption initiated.”
The coalition noted that, over the past 10 months, “perishables have been knocked out of markets, and our customers overseas have been forced to find other, non-U.S. sources for their meat, fruit, hay, cotton, rice, nuts, french fries, lumber, and so much more.”
The coalition also pointed out: “There is nothing that we produce in agriculture here in the U.S. that cannot be sourced elsewhere in the world. If we don’t supply dependably and affordably, we lose that business.
“The Agriculture Transportation Coalition will continue to push the PMA and the ILWU to improve West Coast port productivity and efficiency, not just restore ports to pre-contract dispute levels, but to levels that will make our ports — and products our AgTC members ship through them — competitive with the best ports in the world. We are a long ways from that,” the coalition said.
American Soybean Association President Wade Cowan said, “As business owners, soybean farmers count on a smoothly operating supply chain to stay competitive. The work stoppage on the West Coast is something that continues to have ripple effects not only on soybean farms, but within the processing industry — and especially in the livestock industry that represents the top consumer of soybean meal,” said Cowan.
“Soybean farmers are proud of the role we play in the nation’s agricultural trade, and proud to be a leader on these issues,” added Cowan. “Disruptions like the one we saw out West have the potential to throw the country’s farm economy into disarray. A devastating impact like that isn’t a bargaining chip.
“It goes without saying that we are relieved to see a resolution to the dispute, and we encourage both parties to ratify this new contract and get back to work as quickly as possible,” Cowan concluded.
▪ Bloomberg — West Coast Ports Come Back to Life
