Normalization of Cement Transportation, Accumulated Losses of 119.5 Billion KRW

Cement transported by Bulk Cement Trailer (BCT) is being stored in a silo at the site.
[Photo by Hanil Cement]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jonghwa] Cement transportation has returned to normal. The Korea Cement Association announced that the disruption in cement shipments, which had continued for half a month due to the collective transportation refusal by the Cargo Solidarity of the Public Transport Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions since the 24th of last month, was normalized on the 8th.

On that day, about 195,000 tons of cement were shipped, exceeding the average weekday shipment volume of about 180,000 tons by approximately 15,000 tons. This was due to increased cement demand from making up for construction period delays at construction sites nationwide and the expansion of inventory at ready-mixed concrete plants. The Cement Association estimated the cumulative damage caused by the reduced cement shipment volume over the past half month at 119.5 billion KRW.

A cement industry official explained, "The situation in Paldang in the Seoul metropolitan area and Busan, where it was difficult to ship cement due to the high proportion of Cargo Solidarity union members, has improved," adding, "Even in Jeju, where shipments had stopped due to the collective transportation refusal by all Cargo Solidarity members, bulk cement trailers (BCT) started operating for the first time, so overall there were no difficulties in shipments."

Despite the ongoing collective transportation refusal by Cargo Solidarity, the normalization of cement shipments is understood to have been greatly contributed to by the government's work commencement order based on law and principles. A Cement Association official stated, "Going forward, the cement industry will do its best to inspect and promptly respond to cement shipment and supply conditions so as not to be affected by the collective transportation refusal and obstructive acts of Cargo Solidarity," and requested, "We also ask Cargo Solidarity to end the collective transportation refusal and promptly return to the field."