The Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have ratified a new five year contract after nearly 10 months of labor slowdowns. The slowdown resulted in monetary losses to container shipments. Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director, Mike Steenhoek, is expressing cautious optimism over the news. He says while a deal was needed, proactive measures should be established to prevent future export disruptions.

Steenhoek says reliable ports are essential for the U.S. in order to export its agriculture shipments to foreign markets.

Steenhoek says the government can take steps to keep these labor disputes from bottling up needed shipments and hampering the economy.

Steenhoek says these port disruptions need to be stopped if the U.S. is to continue as a leader in agricultural exports, especially with an expanded Panama Canal coming on line in the near future.