SK energy, Naver to jointly turn gas stations into fulfillment centers

SK energy signed an agreement with Naver to cooperate on the development of urban logistics solutions [Photo provided by SK energy]

South Korea’s major refiner SK energy Co. and the country’s IT giant Naver Corp. have agreed to join hands to transform the former’s gas stations into urban fulfillment centers equipped with artificial intelligence and other latest technologies to enable faster and easier logistics services.

SK energy said Friday that it signed an agreement with Naver to cooperate on the development of urban logistics solutions. Under the agreement, Naver will use SK energy‘s gas stations as urban distribution centers for its e-commerce operation. Naver will use its AI and robotics technologies to ensure seamless logistics services at SK energy’s gas stations.

Their collaboration will begin with a pilot logistics service for Naver’s SmartStore online store merchants in Seoul early next year. SK energy and Naver plan to set up micro-fulfillment centers at SK gas stations in the long term.

SK energy, one of the largest refiners in Korea, operates more than 3,000 gas stations across the country.