Cement Work Order Investigation Completed... 175 Drivers Express Intent to Resume Transport Next Week

Temporary Overload Permits Issued for 412 Cement Transport Vehicles
Major Ports Show Recovery in Container Import and Export Volumes
Gas Station Stock Shortages Expand Nationwide

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] The on-site investigation of cement transportation companies for the government's work commencement order has been completed. Among the 719 people who have received or are scheduled to receive the work commencement order, 175 have expressed their intention to resume transportation. However, as the Cargo Solidarity strike has continued for ten days, cases of fuel shortages at gas stations have appeared nationwide, from the Seoul metropolitan area to Chungnam, Gangwon, and Chungbuk.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) on the 3rd, as of 10 a.m. that day, MOLIT completed the on-site investigation of 201 transportation companies related to tractor-type cement transport trucks (BCT), which are subject to the work commencement order, starting from the 29th of last month. As a result, a total of 85 companies were found to have disruptions due to refusal of transportation by either the transportation companies or truck owners. Work commencement orders were issued on-site to 33 companies whose transportation companies refused to transport, and among them, 29 companies stated that they have resumed or plan to resume transportation.

From 52 companies whose truck owners refused to transport, a total of 791 truck owner names were secured, and work commencement orders were delivered on-site to the transportation companies. These orders will be delivered by each transportation company to the truck owners.

Among them, 455 truck owners with confirmed addresses were sent the orders by mail, and 264 received the orders via text message. MOLIT reported that 175 truck owners who received the work commencement orders have resumed or expressed their intention to resume transportation.

Meanwhile, in the cement sector subject to the work commencement order, a total of 412 cement transport vehicles received temporary overweight vehicle passage permits from the 2nd until 9 a.m. on the day. Cement transport vehicles with temporary overweight permits can increase their maximum load weight from 26 tons to 30 tons.

Previously, MOLIT designated BCT and integrated cement transport trucks (BCC) as emergency transport vehicles until the collective refusal to transport ends, in order to enhance cement transport capacity starting from the 1st.

However, the fuel shortage situation at gas stations seems to be expanding nationwide from the Seoul metropolitan area. Cases of fuel stockouts at gas stations have appeared not only in the metropolitan area but also in Chungnam, Gangwon, and Chungbuk.

Looking at the situation at 12 ports nationwide, as of 10 a.m. that day, the nighttime container throughput at the 12 ports nationwide was 82% compared to normal times, continuously rising since the work commencement order was issued. In particular, the nighttime container throughput at Busan Port, which has the largest volume, rose to 97% compared to normal times, recovering to normal levels. However, at Gwangyang Port, the container throughput has remained at only 0-3% compared to normal times since the 25th of last month, indicating severe damage to cargo volume due to the collective refusal to transport.