Pakistan cement exports hit by strike action

Exports of cement and other commodities from Pakistan via seaports in Karachi have been affected by a strike by goods carriers.

Goods transporters went on strike last Monday against a ban imposed by the Sindh High Court on the movement of heavy vehicles in Karachi during the daytime. The strike was later joined by 14 other transport bodies. The import of a range of raw materials and finished goods was also affected.

As a result of the industrial action, port traffic was brought to a standstill and private terminal operators at Karachi Port are facing cargo and container congestion reportedly had no space left to offload further shipments at berths. The 10-day long strike came to an end on Wednesday17 May on the Sindh governor's intervention.

Pakistan exported about 2.44Mt of cement via sea over the last 12 months and 1.467Mt in the first 10 months of the current fiscal.