Tokyo, Japan - October 30th, 2017    Fukuyama Transporting (Registered office Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture; President & C.E.O. Shigehiro Komaru) began operations of its 25-meter double-truck trailer on October 16, 2017. The company is the first in Japan to introduce 25-meter full-trailer articulated trucks. The service connects Kita Nagoya city in Aichi Prefecture with Susono city in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Background to the new service

The company is working with Japan Freight Railway Company and others in its diversification towards inter-modal transporting as part of its commitment to reducing CO2 emissions, and to improving working conditions for drivers due to labour shortages. Since March 2017 Fukuyama Transporting has been conducting trial operations of 21-meter full-trailers for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) between the same two points. These trials have lead to the development of the 25-meter length double van-type trailer with Isuzu Motors Corporation and Nippon Trex Co. Ltd. As a result, Fukuyama Transporting is the first company in Japan to operate the new truck type in regular service.

The new truck provides an additional option in improving labour productivity on trunk routes, and is also expected to figure into environmental considerations.

How the 25m double articulated truck compares

Future prospects

As one 25m truck can carry the cargo load of two conventional trucks. they are considered an effective measure to address Japan's driver shortage, which is expected to become more acute as society ages and the working population shrinks. As of August 31, 2017, Fukuyama Transporting employs more than 1,300 drivers qualified for the 25m truck. Commenting on the start of the service, President & C.E.O. Shigehiro Komaru remarked that 'We have a long track record of being among the first in our industry to adopt new technologies and processes, so that we can offer more choice to our customers. I believe this is what sets us apart, and will continue to do so.

Inquiries

English Media Inquiries:
Janica Southwick, Chief Advisor to the President's Office
j.southwick@fukutsu.co.jp

Japanese Media Inquiries: Kojima/Doi
Tel: 03-3643-0292
Fax: 03-3643-3730