Starting today, the ‘Emergency Shipment Response Team’ will be operated… The most damaged rolling line is draining
POSCO announced on the 13th that all three blast furnaces (blast furnaces) in Pohang Works, which were suspended due to flood damage caused by Typhoon Hinnamno, have resumed operation on the 13th.
In addition, the production of semi-finished steel products began with the normal operation of some steel mills.
According to POSCO, following the 3rd blast furnace on the 10th, the 4th blast furnace and the 2nd blast furnace went into normal operation the day before, and all blast furnaces at the Pohang Works entered the normal operation system.
Due to a record heavy rain of up to 500mm and flooding of a nearby cold spring at the dawn of the 6th, the 3rd Pohang Works blast furnace stopped operation for the first time in 49 years since it started producing molten iron in 1973.
In order to treat the molten metal produced in the blast furnace the day before in the steelmaking process, POSCO focused on the restoration of steelmaking (removing impurities from molten iron) and casting (working of making slabs from molten metal) facilities.
As a result, 4 out of 7 converters in the steel mill and 4 out of 8 in the casting plant were put into operation once more.
The rolling (processing of iron by applying heat and pressure) line, which suffered the greatest damage from flooding near the cold spring, is still under restoration.
Drainage work is now regarding 80% complete.
POSCO said, “The 1st and 3rd plate factories, which need to be operated first, started turning on power as soon as drainage was completed. It will be possible,” he explained.
In order to stabilize domestic steel supply and demand and minimize damage to customers, POSCO will operate the ‘Emergency Shipment Response Team’ from today.
In addition, the Gwangyang Works will be converted to the largest production system by adjusting the repair schedule, etc.
POSCO Group Chairman Choi Jeong-woo visited the Pohang Works the day before and intensively inspected the rolling line, which is in the midst of drainage and mud removal work.
Chairman Choi said, “Safety is the most important thing in recovery activities.”
A POSCO official said, “As the recovery situation continues for a long time, we believe that there is a possibility that the potential risk may increase, such as a weakening of safety awareness. We are also providing education on serious risks such as electric shock and gas leaks,” he said.
/yunhap news