Live Cargo Logistics – moving livestock by ocean

US Ports Play a Significant Role in Exporting Livestock

T.K. Exports moves ten or more shipments per year through the port of Wilmington, Delaware. Wilmington is the leading seaport in the U.S. for cattle export. They have six open berths with a depth alongside of 35 to 38 feet.

John Haroldson, director of Commercial Services for GT USA, the port’s management firm, said, “We simply provide a berth for the ship to tie up, but the receiving of the feed/hay and the loading of the cattle is handled by 2 logistic partners on behalf of shippers.” Wilmington provides year-round covered storage for hay, feed, and bedding. They have 33 acres of staging area for transferring livestock via two loading platforms with multiple side-port capabilities. GT USA noted Wilmington entered the livestock trade in 1987 loading live cattle to Venezuela, Egypt, and the Canary Islands. They are members of the Livestock Exporters Association (L.E.A.).

In the Pacific North West (PNW), Olympia, Washington performs a similar role in the movement of live animals to Asia. Len Faucher, the marine terminal director for the Port, summed it up as follows, “The Port of Olympia’s success with livestock is a great example of what makes this port unique and special. The teamwork between labor, management, maintenance, stevedores, agents, USDA, Schorno’s Farm, feed suppliers, trucking companies, and all the other stakeholders involved is collaborative, supportive, and driven.” Over the past four years, the port has handled five shipments to Vietnam. When asked about future export destinations, Faucher said, “We have discussed a few other countries, but to date, all five cattle shipments have moved to Vietnam as part of their glass of milk per child per day program.”

Moving live animals always requires a unique logistical plan as Len explains, “The biggest challenge remains in properly scheduling every aspect to load these vessels, making sure the humane treatment of the cattle is the number one priority. This takes great coordination prior to the loading, a thorough pre-op meeting, and the ability to think ahead and contingency plans for situations that do not go as planned.” Faucher recalls for example, “The port’s last cattle-loading was completed during a 2-foot snowstorm. This does not happen often in the PNW. The determination of our team to get the job done was seen in full force as everyone took to the challenge and completed the loading; all to make sure the cargo was safely loaded and shipped.” The port is hoping the livestock market will grow as more countries take advantage of the higher producing dairy cattle we breed in the U.S. “This market could help with nourishment needs across the world,” Faucher said.

Livestock is loaded from truck to ship by a unique connecting ramp that was built and is maintained by the port. As such, no hooves touch the dock in the loading process. The Port of Olympia is, in their own words, a unique niche port ready to handle bulk, breakbulk, cattle and heavy lift cargos. Their new slogan is “Succeed with us, Choose Olympia!” They are also members of the Livestock Exporters Association and hope to engage with other L.E.A. members at the July annual meeting to be held in Greenbelt, Maryland.