GS Caltex announced on August 5 that it will fully automate its global lubricant logistics center in Incheon to enhance its supply chain competitiveness.
The company plans to introduce South Korea's first four-way shuttle automated inbound and outbound system for hazardous materials, automating the entire logistics process starting early next year. This system will enable high-density logistics operations even in limited spaces.
This project is expected to serve as a leading example of applying advanced automation technology in the specialized logistics environment of hazardous materials, enhancing both efficiency and safety through a digital transformation of logistics operations.
GS Caltex generates more than half of its lubricant business revenue from exports. The company explained that it is pursuing this automation to proactively respond to increasing sales volumes, as supply stability and delivery competitiveness have become key factors in the global lubricant market.
The four-way shuttle automated system will allow shuttles to move in four directions—forward, backward, left, and right—to automatically handle pallets. This system is designed to utilize space more effectively than traditional one-way systems, enabling the processing of larger volumes within the same area.
With this new system, the product capacity of the Incheon global lubricant logistics center is expected to increase from approximately 3,700 pallets to over 4,600 pallets, representing a 24% expansion.
Hyundai Glovis will be responsible for designing the smart logistics solution and building the integrated control system for this project.
A GS Caltex official stated, "This collaboration is a pioneering project that demonstrates the feasibility of applying a four-way shuttle automated inbound and outbound system in the specialized logistics environment of hazardous materials. Based on our partnership with Hyundai Glovis, we aim to fully operate the automated global logistics center by early 2027, further enhancing productivity and safety."
Additionally, Hyundai Glovis has previously conducted optimization consulting for GS Caltex's lubricant logistics network, in addition to the design and system construction for the smart logistics solution.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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