Nippon Express Launches 'Sea & Rail' Intermodal Transport Service on Shikoku Route (Mishima-Kan-no-e Port – Uno Port – Sakai-Senboku Port – Chiba Port)

NIPPON EXPRESS Holdings Corporation (President: Tomo Horikiri), through its group company Nippon Express Co., Ltd. (President: Shinichiro Takesue, hereinafter 'Nippon Express'), will launch the 'Sea & Rail Shikoku Route (Mishima-Kan-no-e Port – Uno Port – Sakai-Senboku Port – Chiba Port)' intermodal transport service combining sea and rail transport in collaboration with Oiwakei Shipping Co., Ltd. (President: Masami Iwai, hereinafter 'Oiwakei Shipping') starting Monday, June 15, 2026.

[Background]

The NX Group has positioned 'Development and Enhancement of Sustainable Solutions' as one of its key materiality issues in pursuit of its long-term vision. The group is actively promoting modal shift from truck-based transportation to rail and maritime transport, aiming to provide flexible logistics solutions by combining multiple transport modes and to develop services that contribute to reducing customers’ CO2 emissions.

Additionally, with the tightening regulations on truck drivers’ overtime work, future labor shortages are anticipated, making long-haul truck transportation a significant challenge.

Under these circumstances, Nippon Express, in collaboration with Oiwakei Shipping, has newly developed the 'Sea & Rail Shikoku Route,' an intermodal transport service connecting the Seto Inland Sea region and the capital region. This service supports customers’ sustainability management by simultaneously addressing environmental impact reduction and labor shortages.

[Features of the Sea & Rail Service]

- Contributes to reduced environmental impact by combining low-CO2-emission rail and maritime transport
- An effective solution for complying with regulations on truck drivers’ overtime work
- Enhances BCP (Business Continuity Planning) by enabling rerouting around disrupted sections during disasters through diversified transport routes
- Utilizes Nippon Express’s proprietary RSV container*, compatible with both rail and maritime transport, allowing seamless mode shifts without cargo handling or reloading
- Enables collection and delivery to areas distant from ports by integrating with rail and truck transport

[Future Developments]

The company will continue to develop new routes through collaboration with shipping and ferry companies, further expanding the 'Sea & Rail' service.

The NX Group will continue supporting customers’ sustainability management by developing and providing logistics services that address six key sustainability challenges: CO2 reduction, resource circulation, improved safety and reliability, stable supply, global strategy, and logistics efficiency.

*RSV Container: A 12ft hybrid container developed by Nippon Express, compatible with both rail and domestic shipping transport

[Customer Inquiries]

Nippon Express Co., Ltd.
Network Product Planning Department, Business Headquarters

nittsu-network_transport_planning_division@nipponexpress.com

Hours: 9:00–12:00 and 13:00–17:30 (excluding weekends, holidays, and company-designated holidays)

About the NX Group:

Since its founding in 1937, the NX Group has connected people, businesses, and regions through transportation, growing alongside societal development. As a global logistics company with approximately 78,000 employees across 57 countries and regions, it leverages land, sea, and air transport modes along with warehousing and IT to deliver high-quality logistics services.

The NX Group’s corporate message, 'We Find the Way,' reflects our strong determination and confidence to find the best solution in any situation and see it through. More than just transporting goods, we serve as a partner in co-creating our customers’ future by providing sustainable and environmentally conscious supply chain solutions.

For more information, please visit https://www.nipponexpress-holdings.com/en/.