The International Longshore and Warehouse Union announced its member have approved a three year extension of the labor contract covering 29 West Coast Ports. The Contract between the ILWU and Pacific Maritime Association now runs through June 30 of 2022. Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek says that’s a very positive development.

He says the Longshoremen and the Port Operators have seen that shippers sought other options when contract talks were held up or delayed effecting shipments.

Steenhoek says it’s a very good sign that the Longshoremen and Port Operators were able to come to an early contract agreement which lessened any chances of backlogs at the ports.

Steenhoek says having those labor contracts approved is a critical step for U.S shippers to be continue to be a reliable source of product to foreign export markets.