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JTC exploring plan to boost connectivity and goods flow

SINGAPORE — JTC Corp, the Republic’s lead agency to plan and develop industrial spaces, is considering implementing District Logistics Networks within new industrial estates as well as inter-district logistics networks to facilitate more efficient freight movement across Singapore, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran said in Parliament yesterday.

SINGAPORE — JTC Corp, the Republic’s lead agency to plan and develop industrial spaces, is considering implementing District Logistics Networks within new industrial estates as well as inter-district logistics networks to facilitate more efficient freight movement across Singapore, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Koh Poh Koon said in Parliament yesterday.

Jurong Innovation District (JID), for instance, may incorporate a central distribution centre where goods are stored and handled, and a dedicated road network for the delivery of goods to companies. “This will improve the efficiency of goods movement to companies located in JID, allow companies to free up storage space within their premises for other uses, and relieve traffic congestion from otherwise uncoordinated logistics flows,” Dr Koh said.

His remarks were in response to Member of Parliament for Pioneer Mr Cedric Foo Chee Keng’s request for an update on steps towards nationwide urban logistics connectivity and pilot initiatives for logistics distribution in malls and federated locker systems.

Dr Koh reiterated that the Government and industry were working together to transform the local logistics industry, raise productivity and job quality, and reduce traffic congestion in Singapore’s urban logistics sector. “This would free up valuable land and human resources that can be channelled to higher-value activities,” Dr Koh said, referring to the islandwide federated parcel locker network to ease the last-mile delivery challenges.

He cited new business models like the Spring- and Info-Communications Media Development Authority (IMDA)-piloted urban logistic projects at Tampines Mall, Bedok Mall, IMM and Westgate. Using a single in-mall operator to coordinate delivery schedules and consolidate goods receipt and distribution, the new trial system has reduced average parking time to 7 minutes from 24 minutes, and also frees up delivery vehicles to make more runs. As a result, traffic congestion has been eased around the malls, said Dr Koh.

The Government is also looking at introducing federated parcel lockers at selected public housing estates and public transport networks to enable businesses and consumers to deliver and receive goods more efficiently. Such measures will be rolled out on a broader scale across the island later this year, he said.

CORRECTION: In and earlier version of this story, we reported that Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran answered a parliamentary question on nationwide urban logistics connectivity and pilot initiatives for logistics distribution. This is incorrect. It was Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Koh Poh Koon. We apologise for the error.

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