Deployment of nationwide lockers to be completed end-2021, one year ahead of schedule
SINGAPORE – 03 JUL 2020
Consumers will be able to enjoy greater delivery convenience and a wider range of parcel pick-up options much earlier, with the accelerated deployment of 1,000 parcel locker stations nationwide under Singapore’s first Nationwide Parcel Locker Network. The deployment is expected to be completed by end-2021 – one year ahead of schedule – with the first batch of locker stations to be deployed from early 2021. Today, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) announced that it will be incorporating Pick Network Pte Ltd (Pick), a wholly-owned subsidiary company, to deploy, own and operate the locker network.
Pick will oversee the following:
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Infrastructure: It will work with various stakeholders, including consumers, industry players and government agencies, to identify suitable sites for the locker stations;
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Service availability: It will ensure that logistic service providers (LSPs) have fair and open access to the locker network, and provide consumers with a seamless parcel pick-up experience and more options at affordable rates; and
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Engagement: It will engage e-commerce industry stakeholders to facilitate greater industry involvement, and educate consumers on the locker network’s benefits.
A tender for the supply, delivery, installation, support and maintenance of the locker network was published on 7 June 2020, and will close on 20 July 2020.
Pick has signed Memoranda of Intent (MOIs) with e-commerce marketplaces such as Lazada, Qoo10 and Shopee, and LSPs such as SingPost. Once the lockers are ready, customers purchasing items from these marketplace partners will be able to pick up their parcels from Pick locker stations. In addition, Pick is also partnering other LSPs such as DHL, EasyParcel, FedEx, J&T Express, Ninja Van, Qxpress, ST Logistics, UPS and WMG to enable seamless parcel drop-offs and returns through its locker stations. SingPost will also co-develop viable new services with Pick that will leverage the nationwide infrastructure.
Minister for Communications and Information, Mr S Iswaran said, “The nationwide parcel locker network will transform Singapore’s last-mile delivery infrastructure and create a sustainable delivery ecosystem which will benefit both consumers and industry players. Consumers can look forward to greater convenience and wider options in their preferred parcel pick-up locations, at affordable rates, while the urban logistics sector will be able to raise its productivity and efficiency in managing the surge in e-commerce volumes. I am happy to also see strong support from the industry, who have expressed keen interest to be part of the nationwide parcel locker effort, so that together, we can deliver benefits for consumers while transforming the overall urban logistics ecosystem."
Leading Pick’s efforts is Mr New Soon Tee, the company’s chief executive officer, who has more than 20 years of experience in the logistics sector. Prior to his appointment, Mr New was IMDA’s Cluster Director for Trade and Connectivity, and drove various digitalisation and transformation initiatives for Singapore’s trade and connectivity sectors. These included the Locker Alliance pilot that saw the deployment of 62 locker stations in Punggol and Bukit Panjang HDB estates and eight MRT stations. He also oversaw other logistics innovations such as trials with In-Mall Distribution, Autonomous Delivery and the inception of TradeTrust to digitalise international trade.
“As an open and neutral platform, Pick will fulfil a vital function for parcel deliveries in Singapore, enabling logistics services to become a much more efficient and productive process, improving scalability and opening new opportunities. We are committed to bringing on board more urban logistics sector stakeholders to effect this transformation,” said Mr New.
“As Singapore’s appetite for e-commerce grows, it is crucial that we develop innovative models to help expand the capabilities of logistics providers even as they face challenges with limited resources. This will help with sustainable service pricing as well as enabling consumers to enjoy additional delivery choices so that they no longer need to fear missing deliveries or waste their time waiting for deliveries to arrive,” said Mr Lew Chuen Hong, Chief Executive, IMDA.
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