Port union in Inchon works slowly, hindering Kia Motors exports

Kia Motors is encountering some snags in exports because the Kyoung-in Port Transportation Union works slowly.

According to Kia Motors on Feb. 23, the Kyoung-in Port Transportation Union, which has enjoyed exclusively providing labors for the Port of Inchon has been protesting since Feb. 14, calling for guarantees of 250,000 cars exported for this year.

The union has driven the export cars at 10km an hour in the process of loading, delaying the loading process. Because of this strike, car carriers with fixed sailing schedules left Port of Inchon at less than full capacity. For example, the Asian Majesty, at 55,792 tons, was scheduled to load 1,950 units on Feb. 22 but left Inchon with only 700 units, well below half capacity, on Feb. 23 due to Union led loading delays.

Ten days of slow-down strikes have set Kia back by close to 2000 cars.

Kia Motors is going to export North American bound export cars through Pyoungtaek, with only 210,000 European bound units going through Inchon.

An official from the Kyoung-in Transportation Union said, "We usually handle close to 350,000 units annually for Kia Motors. However, we encountered drastically declining exports and are now driving, in keeping with the law, for the right to live while the Port of Pyoungtaek becomes more active.

A spokesperson for the Kia Motors export department said, "We've had a lot of difficulty dealing with extra expenses incurred by cars stored in container yards with agricultural products needing washing. In addition, the slow-down strikes haven't helped matters. However, we regret that we cannot guarantee increased car exports through the Port of Inchon."