Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced that MOL, along with its logistics group companies in Hong Kong, has been selected as the first overseas company to be a partner of the e-Smart Port Platform Prototype Project, a Hong Kong government initiative to develop Hong Kong's logistics functions and port community integrative platform.

MOL signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Hong Kong with the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM), a Hong Kong government-subsidized technology research organization implementing this project on May 30.

 MoU signing ceremony in Hong Kong on May 30, 2023 (Photo: MOL)

MOL said the MOL Group has set out to develop and expand new non-shipping businesses, including logistics, in the portfolio and regional strategies of the "BLUE ACTION 2035" management plan.

The group companies are developing their businesses to meet the various logistics needs of customers, and in this project, the following group companies will provide information on actual logistics conditions and other data in Hong Kong to LSCM under the supervision of MOL.

"The project aims to study and enhance the operational efficiency of the logistics industry in Hong Kong by leveraging the MOL Group's comprehensive strengths, which were highly evaluated as a partner," the announcement said.

It added that all of the group companies are united to contribute to the growth of the logistics industry in Hong Kong through this project and aim to offer more convenient logistics services to customers.

The e-Smart Port Platform Prototype Project, promoted by the Hong Kong government, aims to improve Hong Kong's international trade and logistics hub function.

It is also a major project that will be linked to China's "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Plan," which is expected to show further growth in the future.