DP World has strengthened its partnership with Japanese homebuilder Ichijo Komuten by activating a direct shipping connection between Sendai, Japan and the Philippines through CMA CGM’s JP8 service.
The weekly service, which commenced on March 18, marks the first regular international shipping link between Sendai and the Philippines in eight years and is designed to support the faster and more reliable movement of prefabricated housing materials across the corridor.
The JP8 service calls at Manila South Harbour and Batangas Integrated Port, both operated by Asian Terminals, DP World’s strategic local partner in the Philippines.
These terminals serve as the primary gateways for cargo moving into and out of the country, and are supported by inland and marine logistics solutions that reduce congestion, improve transit times and enhance supply chain visibility.
The service supports Ichijo’s Philippine manufacturing operations, where its local manufacturer House Research Development produces prefabricated housing components for export to Japan.
Nihon Sangyo, the Ichijo Komuten Group company specialising in procurement, logistics and distribution, manages the movement of these materials through the supply chain.
In Japan, DP World also supports the domestic distribution of cargo to regional outports, ensuring end-to-end connectivity across both markets.
The development comes against a backdrop of growing demand for prefabricated housing across the Asia-Pacific region.
Glen Hilton, CEO and Managing Director Asia Pacific at DP World, described the JP8 service as an example of combining global network reach with deep local expertise to deliver tailored solutions that support customer growth and delivery timelines.
