Nippon Express (China) Co., Ltd. (Chairman: Sumitoshi Matsuo), which administers Nippon Express's East Asia Region, and Nippon Express Korea Co., Ltd. (President: Masami Akiyama), both group companies of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC. (President: Mitsuru Saito), have launched a new international ocean freight service, "Busan Hub x Japanese Regional Ports," connecting the Port of Busan in South Korea and regional ports in Japan.
■ Background to development
The logistics industry is facing a major challenge in dealing with medium- to long-distance trucking due to the future labor shortage expected to result from the stricter overtime regulations for truck drivers that will go into force in 2024.
Much of the import and export cargo shipped from/to Europe, the US, and Asia is transported by truck to/from various parts of Japan via major ports on the outskirts of major cities, so securing that means of transport constitutes another challenge to be faced going forward.
Given these circumstances, Nippon Express has launched a new service - "Busan Hub x Japan Regional Ports" - that stores inventory in Busan, South Korea, which has excellent shipping routes to and from regional ports in Japan, and transports this inventory by sea when ordered to the regional port nearest the delivery destination in Japan.
This service will shorten trucking distances in Japan, helping to secure transport and cut costs as well as reduce CO2 emissions.
■ Features of the "Busan Hub x Japan Regional Port" service
In addition to this Busan-based service, the NX Group has launched a "Qingdao Hub x Japan Regional Ports" service utilizing a hub warehouse in Qingdao, China, to connect with regional ports for imports from China, which account for more than half of Japan's imports. The NX Group will continue meeting its customers' challenges and supporting their business expansion with its global network and accumulated expertise in advanced logistics.
■ Key Japanese ports of call for the "Busan Hub x Japanese Regional Ports" service