The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 7th that it has selected four local governments?Gyeongsangnam-do, Gumi-si, Busan-si, and Incheon-si?as the target sites for this year's Digital Logistics Demonstration Complex Project.
The Digital Logistics Demonstration Complex Project has been promoted since 2021 to provide a testing ground in various fields such as next-generation robotics technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data.
The selected project sites were chosen after a two-month public contest starting in December last year, evaluated by seven experts who assessed the necessity of the project, expected effects, commitment to project implementation, and development direction.
The respective local governments will receive differential funding based on the project scale and expected benefits. They will promote efficient logistics system construction and smart logistics service projects utilizing digital technology.
Gyeongsangnam-do plans to develop a platform equipped with a delivery system that satisfies local residents. This aims to improve the poor logistics environment of the Small and Medium Distribution Joint Wholesale Logistics Center, established to enhance the self-sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners. It supports online sales and smart product management for producers and wholesalers/retailers.
Gumi-si will demonstrate the "Customized Digital Logistics Service for Power Semiconductors," a key local and national industry. In cooperation with Gyeongsangbuk-do, it will build an autonomous driving-based joint logistics system and introduce digital technologies such as digital twin, human augmentation, and metaverse. Through this, it expects effects such as more than 10% reduction in logistics costs, prevention of safety accidents, improvement of working conditions, and remote operation management without spatial and temporal constraints.
Busan-si plans to install an integrated logistics safety program, safety education, and safety accident response systems targeting companies operating numerous aging logistics warehouses. Additionally, to link with this project, it will strive to systematically disseminate and expand the digital logistics safety management system through annual performance analysis of logistics workplace safety management improvements and safety management consulting.
Incheon-si intends to revitalize the local economy and strengthen the logistics competitiveness of small business owners by establishing a joint logistics center for local small businesses. Utilizing electric cargo trucks and equipment owned by Incheon-si, it will lower parcel delivery costs through district-based collection rounds, implement same-day delivery in the metropolitan area and next-day delivery nationwide, and demonstrate the effect of local job creation.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to start the project in early April after consultations with local governments and partner organizations regarding project details and support scale. Kang Ju-yeop, Director of Logistics Policy at the Ministry, said, "Through this project, we will do our best to strengthen the performance and competitiveness of the logistics industry and raise the level of domestic logistics services."
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