Osaka Central Wholesale Market Main Market Introduces "MOVO Berth" to Reduce Waiting Times and Improve Cargo Handling Efficiency Through Data Utilization

Hacobu Co., Ltd., which addresses logistics challenges through the power of data, announced that its truck reservation reception service "MOVO Berth" has been introduced in the cargo receiving area of Daika Osaka Seika Co., Ltd. at the Osaka Central Wholesale Market Main Market (hereinafter, Osaka Main Market).

In this initiative, we will utilize operational data such as the number of visiting vehicles, waiting times, and work times accumulated through MOVO Berth to reduce waiting times, improve cargo handling efficiency, and optimize the layout within the market. We aim to establish a sustainable and stable supply system for fruits and vegetables, while responding to fluctuations in arrival volumes unique to produce.

Background of MOVO Berth Introduction to Osaka Main Market

Agricultural products such as vegetables and fruits are collected from producers (farmers) through shipping organizations (agricultural cooperatives, etc.) to wholesale markets, and then sold to retailers, food service providers, and processors. Wholesale markets play a part in social infrastructure as a hub connecting production areas across the country with consumption areas in urban centers.

The Osaka Main Market handles a large volume of fruits and vegetables daily as a central hub for produce distribution in Western Japan. Produce is susceptible to weather and growing conditions, and daily arrival volumes fluctuate significantly.

On days with increased arrival volumes, vehicles tend to concentrate, and the concentration of vehicles in limited time slots and limited cargo handling spaces has been a cause of waiting vehicles.

Given this situation, there was a need for initiatives to accurately grasp and improve the fluctuating arrival volumes and vehicle concentration. Therefore, it was first necessary to record and analyze data on vehicle arrivals and waiting times to visualize the actual situation.

Key Points of MOVO Berth Introduction

In this initiative, the truck reservation reception service "MOVO Berth" was introduced to digitize vehicle reservations and reception. This creates an environment where cargo handling performance data such as the number of visiting vehicles, arrival times, waiting times, and work times can be accumulated.

Going forward, by analyzing the accumulated data, we will grasp vehicle concentration by time slot and the types and quantities of incoming items, and progressively consider layout adjustments and operational improvements tailored to the actual situation.

By analyzing arrival volume data, it becomes possible to identify items whose deliveries are concentrated on specific days of the week or time slots. For example, if it is confirmed that there is a large influx of leafy vegetables early on Monday mornings, we will consider reviewing space allocation, such as securing a wider cargo handling space near the berth for leafy vegetables during that time slot, according to the day of the week and time slot.

Even in an environment where the arrival volume of fruits and vegetables fluctuates daily, by continuously making data-driven improvements, we aim to enhance cargo handling efficiency, reduce driver waiting burdens, and advance market operations to support sustainable produce distribution.

Roles in This Initiative

Osaka City

As the operator of the Osaka Central Wholesale Market, responsible for maintaining market functions.

Daika Osaka Seika Co., Ltd.

A wholesale company at the Osaka Main Market that collects fruits and vegetables from producers and agricultural cooperatives and sells them to intermediate wholesale stores (*1).

*1 Intermediate wholesale stores: Businesses that purchase goods from wholesalers within the wholesale market and sell them in smaller quantities to restaurants, retailers, etc.

Kamigumi Co., Ltd.

Port transport operator. Entrusted by Daika Osaka Seika to oversee cargo unloading operations within the market.

Kamigumi Rikun Co., Ltd.

Kamigumi Group logistics operator. Responsible for actual transportation within the market.

Hacobu Co., Ltd.

Introduces MOVO Berth and supports logistics improvement through data utilization.

Future Outlook

Based on the cargo handling performance data accumulated by MOVO Berth, we will continue to formulate and execute logistics efficiency measures. Through the optimization of market operations, we aim to improve the stability of produce distribution and strengthen our ability to respond to highly fluctuating supply environments.

Stakeholder Comments

Mr. Takuya Shimatani, Director of Osaka Central Wholesale Market Main Market

The Osaka Central Wholesale Market Main Market boasts one of the largest handling volumes in Japan and is a central facility for fresh food distribution in Western Japan.

The stable supply of fresh food is an important foundation supporting citizens' lives. Wholesale markets play a role in connecting production areas and consumption areas, and we believe it is our responsibility as the operator to maintain and improve these functions for the future. This initiative is the first step in understanding and improving the actual logistics situation within the market through data. We will continue to collaborate with related businesses to promote efficient and sustainable market operations.

Mr. Hirotaka Seto, Manager, Corporate Strategy & Public Relations Office, Daika Osaka Seika Co., Ltd.

Produce is affected by weather and growing conditions, and arrival volumes fluctuate daily. These fluctuations can lead to vehicle concentration and waiting times in the market, requiring efforts to maintain stable operations. With the introduction of MOVO Berth, we now have an environment where the actual situation of arrivals and operations can be visualized with data. We aim to achieve smoother market operations by utilizing the accumulated data.

Mr. Makoto Tanihata, Manager, Osaka Main Market Liaison Office, Osaka Branch, Kamigumi Co., Ltd.

Our company has been involved in produce transportation since 1923, when we handled bananas arriving from Taiwan. While valuing the on-site knowledge cultivated over many years, we believe that data-driven improvements are indispensable to respond to the changing logistics environment. Through the introduction of MOVO Berth, we will accurately grasp the actual cargo handling situation and work to achieve safe and efficient operations.

Mr. Kazuma Minami, Produce Development Team, Kamigumi Rikun Co., Ltd.

For many years, I have been involved in transportation from production areas, including JA Nagano Prefecture, and have been troubled by the structural problem of waiting times at the Osaka Main Market, our delivery destination.

As a logistics provider within the market, we will continue to support smooth cargo handling while responding to daily fluctuations in arrival volumes.

With this introduction, we can now visualize reception status and waiting times, establishing a foundation for objectively understanding the on-site situation. Going forward, we will utilize data and collaborate with various companies to further improve and streamline operations.

About Truck Reservation Reception Service "MOVO Berth"

"MOVO Berth" provided by Hacobu is the No. 1 (※2) truck reservation reception service that reduces waiting and cargo handling times and improves productivity in logistics sites. By enabling entry reservations and reception, it supports the improvement of waiting times and productivity at logistics centers and factories. It solves the waiting problem by dispersing vehicle entry times and planning inbound and outbound operations. It is also possible to visualize the time spent waiting and working, which can be used for logistics improvement. With product functions that can flexibly handle complex operational patterns and extensive implementation support utilizing the rich know-how of dedicated staff, it achieves high probability of operational stabilization after introduction. https://hacobu.jp/movo-berth/

About Hacobu Co., Ltd.

Hacobu develops the cloud logistics management solution "MOVO" series, logistics DX consulting "Hacobu Strategy," and system integration/AI implementation support "Hacobu Solution Studio." In addition to providing cloud services such as the No. 1 (※2) truck reservation reception service "MOVO Berth" for six consecutive years, the fleet management service "MOVO Fleet," the dispatch order/management service "MOVO Vista," and the AI ordering/transport optimization service "MOVO PSI," and the smartphone app "MOVO Driver" that changes drivers' working styles, Hacobu supports the optimization of inter-company logistics as a logistics DX partner. https://hacobu.jp/

*2 Source: Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Mic Research Institute "Current Status and Outlook of the Smart Logistics Solution Market [2025 Edition]" https://mic-r.co.jp/mr/03650/ Share of vendors in the berth management system market by number of locations. The total number of locations of the six major domestic systems participating in this survey is taken as 100% share.