On August 26, the 8JB Cold Storage Facility in Singapore, in which Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) holds an investment interest, welcomed a delegation from the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan as part of the committee’s study mission to Southeast Asia.
The visit was hosted jointly by MOL, Kokubu Group, and Commonwealth Capital Pte. Ltd., the partners of Commonwealth Kokubu Logistics Pte. Ltd. (CKL), which operates two integrated multi-temperature warehouse facilities, including 8JB.
The delegation comprised three Members of the House of Representatives, senior officials from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and representatives from the Embassy of Japan in Singapore. Members included Mr. Fujii (Hyogo 4th District), Mr. Sasagawa (Gunma 3rd District), and Mr. Nagatomo (Miyazaki 2nd District).
Prior to the facility tour, representatives from CKL’s partner companies provided an overview of their respective businesses and operations in Singapore. The delegation showed strong interest in the discussions, engaging actively during a question-and-answer session that focused on international cold chain logistics and regional supply chain developments.
The delegation then toured the 8JB Cold Storage Facility, which has a total capacity of approximately 90,000 pallet positions, gaining firsthand insight into its operations and advanced capabilities, including its state-of-the-art Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), which accommodates approximately 45,000 pallet positions.
Strengthening Cold Chain Infrastructure in Asia
The visit underscored the growing importance of advanced cold chain infrastructure in supporting regional food security and international trade.
MOL is a joint venture partner with Kajima Development in the ownership of the 8JB Cold Storage Facility. MOL also holds an equity stake in CKL.
Through its investments in logistics and cold chain infrastructure, MOL continues to expand its capabilities beyond traditional shipping, supporting the efficient movement of food products and contributing to the development of resilient supply chains across Asia.