Impact of Ports Labor Dispute on Forage Industry

Since early November ports up and down the West Coast have experienced staggering slowdowns due to the labor dispute between the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
Recently the U.S. Forage Export Council whose members represent nearly 80 percent of all U.S. forage exports and together account for nearly $1 billion in annual sales — conducted a survey asking their members to measure the impact of the current slowdown at the West Coast ports. BOSSCCO Trading Company Vice President Shelly Boshart shares the survey results.
Boshart: “It is costing us — this is across Oregon, California, Washington and Idaho — all of our members estimated costing $260,000 each day. Each day this is continuing it is cost us in overtime, in fuel, in labor, surcharges, waiting in the port those kind of things. Extra work in the office trying to keep up with all of these booking changes — delayed vessels — you name it. It is costing us that. Another great point is our container movement is down 45 percent from what is normal at this time. I can attest to that that is exactly what our number is too. It seems we are average across the board there. We are down 45 percent as to what we should be shipping this time of year.”