Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: "Efforts to Resolve Cement Supply Shortage... No Shutdowns at Construction Sites"

Ready-mix concrete trucks are clustered at a ready-mix concrete factory in Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do.

Amid growing concerns that construction sites nationwide may come to a halt due to rising construction raw material costs, the government has stepped in to emphasize supply stability measures such as diversifying import sources.

On the 30th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated, "Due to the recent global supply shortage of thermal coal, concerns over disruptions in cement production have intensified. The government, in cooperation with related ministries, is actively working to prevent construction delays caused by instability in construction material supply."

The Ministry added, "We are continuously monitoring the thermal coal supply situation and the production and shipment volumes of cement and ready-mixed concrete through related industries. We are also striving to stabilize material supply by promptly identifying and resolving industry difficulties in increasing production."

Furthermore, to stabilize thermal coal supply, the government is gradually reducing the proportion of imports from Russia and is promoting diversification of import sources to alternative countries such as Australia.

The government estimates that the nationwide cement inventory is approximately 700,000 tons and that there is likely sufficient production capacity relative to domestic demand.

The government plans to regularly identify construction sites at risk of delays due to cement shortages through construction associations and respond promptly to prevent the spread of damage within the industry.

To accurately assess the situation at production sites, a joint emergency inspection of cement and ready-mixed concrete manufacturing sites will be conducted by related ministries. Additionally, a meeting involving the cement and ready-mixed concrete manufacturing industries and the construction industry will be jointly hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on April 1 to listen to industry concerns and discuss response measures.

The Ministry emphasized, "We plan to closely cooperate with related industries and ministries to respond effectively in case concerns over cement production disruptions intensify and to minimize damage to the construction industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.