Sabic slows down its production and the distribution of bottles from Repsol butane is paralyzed

The blockade of entry and exit of trucks from the Valle de Escombreras, caused by the pickets of the Platform for the Defense of the National Highway Freight Transport Sector, begins to take its toll on large companies, such as Sabic, and related small and medium-sized companies, above all, with the construction and livestock sectors. The distribution of butane bottles by Repsol is also affected, which yesterday saw how it had to paralyze the distribution in large trucks at its Cartagena facilities.

Since early yesterday morning, some thirty pickets have prevented the passage of any loaded heavy vehicle or that is going to load gas, fuel or cereals to the port and to the companies that are located in this energy hub.

The pickets were located at the Alumbres roundabout, approximately one kilometer from the entrance to the Escombreras docks and half a kilometer from the entrances to Repsol’s facilities. It is also the entrance for the tankers that are going to load fuel at Exolum, the former CLH, which is then distributed at most of the gas stations in the Region.

Demand police protection

According to sources from the Regional Federation of Transport Organizations and Companies of Murcia (Froet), 300 vehicles pass through these facilities daily, supplying fuel to the Region and to parts of Alicante and Albacete.

The general director of the Port Authority, Fermín Rol, requested help from the Government Delegation so that the vehicles do not have problems on their route to and from the docks. There were four Civil Guard patrols in the area, which ensured that there were no altercations.

Sabic was one of the most affected. Every day 55 trucks arrive at this company, located in La Aljorra, loading raw materials at the port. The closure of the road forced them to slow down their production due to the lack of phenol and acetone to manufacture their latest-generation plastics, according to sources at the Saudi company.

Cereal import companies are also being affected as most of the 14,000 daily tons of cereal arriving at the docks do not reach their destination. This problem aggravates the crisis in the importation of this product.

“Indefinitely”

During the strike, although there were no altercations, there were moments of some tension, such as those that occurred around one in the afternoon. At that time, two convoys arrived at the roundabout, one made up of eight trucks loaded with empty butane cylinders and another of six vehicles to load grain at the port. All the drivers, after listening to the pickets, had to go back the way they had come.

“We are going to be here indefinitely. We do this not only for ourselves, but for everyone. The increase in costs, especially fuel, is unaffordable for us, ”one of the pickets, a truck driver who preferred to remain anonymous, explained to THE TRUTH.