Unlocking Moji’s Potential through Bonded Operations

Hello, this is Ichiki from Sync Logistics.

As I shared last month, our Shin-Moji Logistics Center has officially received approval as a “bonded warehouse.” In this post, I would like to talk about the background of this approval, the potential of the Shin-Moji area, and our vision for the future.

■ A New Role After 40 Years

About 40 years ago, the City of Kitakyushu reclaimed and developed the land of Shin-Moji.
Although it was once expected to boost the city’s growth, it had remained unused for many years.

When I learned about this land—created around the same time I was born—I felt a strong connection to it.
Like myself in the past, it seemed to be waiting for a purpose.

Now, I want to bring this land back to life and turn it into a place that creates new value.
That desire is what drives our challenge in Shin-Moji today.

■ The Strategic Power of Shin-Moji’s Location

Shin-Moji is ideally located as a logistics hub.
It’s only 3.7 km from the Kyushu Expressway, close to Kitakyushu Airport and the JR freight terminal, and well connected by sea routes to Korea and China. With road, sea, and rail networks all in one place, it offers excellent efficiency for cargo transport.

Traditionally, Kyushu’s main logistics centers have been in Tosu — where major expressways converge — and Fukuoka, the region’s largest city. However, rising land prices and worsening traffic congestion in those areas have increased logistics costs and reduced transport efficiency. Given its outstanding geographical advantages, I believe Moji holds great potential to emerge as Kyushu’s third major logistics hub.

■ What the Bonded Status Enables

In the past, when exporting used cars via Ro-Ro vessels from Shin-Moji, vehicles had to be temporarily moved to another bonded area for customs clearance.
To streamline this process, we applied for and obtained approval from Moji Customs to designate our facility as a bonded warehouse.
With this approval, we can now complete export declarations directly within our center — enabling a seamless, one-stop flow from vehicle arrival to shipment.
Going forward, we will work to promote the use of Ro-Ro vessels, attract new shipping routes, and enhance our inspection and export facilities.
Leveraging Shin-Moji’s geographical advantages, we aim to make it a logistics hub that supports not only used cars but a wide range of export cargo — a port that customers find truly convenient to use.

■ Creating the Next Stage of Logistics from Shin-Moji

Just as I once saw my own lack of purpose reflected in this land, the challenge that began with the desire to bring it back to life and turn it into a place that creates new value is now gradually taking shape. Moving forward, the Shinmoji Logistics Center will continue to evolve—together with all of you—as a bonded warehouse supporting customs operations and serving as a new hub for export logistics.

Thank you very much for reading to the end.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss our bonded operations in Shin-Moji, please feel free to contact us.
I look forward to hearing from you.