by TMR/ pic credit: pdzlines.com

PDZ Holdings Bhd and Sanichi Technology Bhd are planning to jointly design, develop and manage a regional e-commerce logistics hub in Desaru, Johor.

The companies have concluded a collaboration agreement to form a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) between themselves and other unidentified potential stakeholders for the hub, they said in a joint press release last Friday.

The 234-acre (94.7ha) targeted location site for the logistics hub is intended for bulk-breaking, packaging and distribution throughout South-East Asia.

PDZ will design and implement an automated digital platform, alongside information and communications technology infrastructure, to facilitate a sustainable, digital operation of the hub, using the latest trends in artificial intelligence, 5G connectivity capability and automation.

PDZ, which has its shipping routes and foreign presence in regional ports, will engage the respective foreign authorities to identify locations in Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand, among others, to function as logistic spokes to the Johor hub.

Sanichi will secure the site and permits with the relevant government agencies, and design, develop and construct the entire site.

PDZ and Sanichi said they will finalise a complete list of stakeholders within 90 days from the execution of the agreement to form an SPV for project execution.