[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Despite the general strike by the Cargo Solidarity of the Public Transport Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (hereinafter Cargo Solidarity), the shipment rate in the cement industry has recovered to about 93.1%. Transportation in most regions, except the metropolitan area, has reached nearly normal levels compared to usual.
According to the Korea Cement Association on the 6th, the cement industry shipped about 167,500 tons out of approximately 180,000 tons scheduled for shipment that day, recovering the shipment rate to about 93.1% despite the collective transportation refusal by Cargo Solidarity. The cement not shipped that day was about 12,500 tons, with damages amounting to approximately 1.25 billion KRW, and the cumulative damage scale reaching 118 billion KRW.
The cement industry is doing its best to ensure smooth cement supply, but as the normalization of Bulk Cement Trailer (BCT) operations is delayed, the ready-mixed concrete industry, the final consumer of cement products, is also experiencing difficulties due to supply shortages.
A Korea Cement Association official stated, "Currently, cement shipments are lower than usual in some distribution (shipment) bases such as Busan, Jeju, Paldang, and Deokso, where the proportion of Cargo Solidarity union members is estimated to be high," adding, "Except for these areas, cement shipments nationwide have largely recovered and are being maintained close to normal levels, as was the case yesterday."
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