Nippon Sanso to Ship Gases by Rail
Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation, part of Nippon Sanso Holdings Group's Japanese industrial gas business, will begin transporting specialty gas products by rail starting this June. The company is partnering with Nippon Express Co., Ltd. for this initiative, moving gases between Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Tagajo City, Miyagi Prefecture.
This move aims to address the shortage of logistics personnel, contribute to a carbon-neutral society, and maintain a robust, environmentally friendly transportation supply chain.
Nippon Express Group is actively promoting a shift from primarily truck-based transportation to a combination of rail and sea freight to achieve its long-term vision of sustainable management and growth.
Previously, Taiyo Nippon Sanso relied on trucks for long-distance specialty gas transport. However, with the anticipated increase in demand due to recent construction and expansion of semiconductor plants, strengthening transportation capacity has become a priority.
In response, Nippon Express leveraged its extensive transportation experience and network to propose a shift integrating truck and rail transport. Starting in April 2023, the companies collaborated to verify transportation quality. Results confirmed no issues with external temperature or vibration impacting products during transit, and actual field operations were also successful, leading to the official launch of this system.
This initiative is expected to significantly enhance the transportation capacity for specialty gas products while substantially reducing truck drivers' working hours and driving distances. Furthermore, by adopting rail transport, which has a lower environmental impact, it contributes to reducing CO2 emissions.
Nippon Express stated it will continue to develop and offer logistics services that combine all modes of transportation to help reduce CO2 emissions, support clients' ESG management, and contribute to a carbon-neutral and decarbonized society.
