An SK Energy gas station in downtown Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — SK Energy Co., South Korea’s leading oil refinery and gas station operator, is teaming up with internet portal giant Naver Corp. to convert gas stations into urban logistics bases armed with state-of-the-art technology.
The two companies recently signed a business agreement to promote cooperation in developing and establishing logistics technology and infrastructure to reduce the logistics burden for small and medium enterprises.
SK Energy will be in charge of leveraging its in-house gas stations as logistics bases for Naver’s e-commerce service, while the latter will be responsible for advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technology.
Starting from early next year, the two sides will launch a pilot courier service for Naver’s Smart Store merchants, enabling them to pick up packages collectively and handle their logistics more efficiently.
After a trial in several areas of Seoul, the scope of the service area will be expanded on a gradual basis.
SK Energy and Naver plan to set up urban micro fulfillment centers at the sites of its gas stations in the long run.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
