A ship waits to be loaded at the Port of Tacoma in Washington state. A new report by the U.S. International Trade Commission projects the Trans-Pacific Partnership would increase U.S. farm production by $10 billion by 2032, primarily by exporting more food to Japan and Vietnam.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association have reached a tentative agreement on a six-year contract for dock workers at 29 West Coast ports.

The union and association, which represents shipping companies and terminal operators, announced the deal Wednesday. Terms will not be released until the contract is ratified, according to the union and association.

ILWU President Willie Adams and PMA President James McKenna said in a joint statement they were pleased to turn their full attention back to operating the ports. The statement said the deal was reached with the assistance of Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su.

More than 22,000 workers have been working under an expired contract since July 1. Contract negotiations began 13 months ago.

The maritime association accused the union of withholding workers to disrupt the unloading and loading of vessels at certain ports, including the Port of Seattle over the past weekend.

The union denied port operations were coming to a halt and stated that its members were continuing to work.

The developing labor dispute raised fears that agricultural exports would be hindered. Farm groups reported disruptions during the last round of protracted labor negotiations in 2015.

Slowdowns at the ports of Seattle and Tacoma would have had consequences for farmers across the country. By value, soybeans is the top commodity exported through the two ports.

The ILWU has not gone on strike since 1971. Workers were locked out for 11 days in 2002.

Under the current collective-bargaining agreement, longshore wages began at $32.31 an hour. Some workers with less seniority do not get enough hours for full-time work, according to the union.