DP World is supporting expanded shipping links between Japan and the Philippines through a new service aimed at improving the movement of prefabricated housing materials.
The JP8 service, operated by CMA CGM, connects Sendai in Japan with ports in the Philippines, including Manila South Harbour and Batangas Integrated Port. The weekly service began on March 18 and represents the first regular international shipping link between Sendai and the Philippines in eight years.
Both Philippine ports are operated by Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI), DP World’s local partner, and serve as key gateways for cargo moving between the two countries.
The service is being used to support Japanese homebuilder Ichijo Komuten, which manufactures prefabricated housing components in the Philippines for export to Japan. Production is carried out by House Research Development, with logistics and distribution managed by group company Nihon Sangyo.
DP World said the new route improves connectivity between origin and destination markets, allowing materials to move more efficiently from port to production facilities and onward to end markets. The company’s logistics network also supports inland and marine transportation to reduce congestion and improve transit times.
In Japan, DP World is involved in domestic cargo distribution, helping to connect shipments to regional ports.
The launch comes as demand for prefabricated housing continues to grow across the Asia-Pacific region, increasing the need for reliable and integrated supply chain solutions.
Glen Hilton, CEO and managing director for Asia-Pacific at DP World, said, “Our long-standing partnership with Ichijo reflects how we work alongside our customers to solve complex supply chain challenges.”
He added that the JP8 service “strengthens connectivity between Japan and the Philippines” while supporting more efficient cargo flows through DP World’s terminals.
The company said the new service forms part of its broader efforts to integrate port operations with logistics services to support customer supply chains.
In related news, UPS opens its largest logistics center in Asia-Pacific
