Nippon Express launches Japan-Ohio air freight service | Supply Chain Dive

The overnight delivery route aims to service growing automotive demand in the Midwest.

Freight forwarder Nippon Express launched an air cargo service between Nagoya, Japan, and Cincinnati, according to a June 4 press release.

The “Ohio Midnight Express” service loads cargo at Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) for a direct evening flight to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). According to the release, the cargo is then moved to a facility in Columbus, Ohio, managed by NX Group, which operates an international cargo handling site inside NGO and a cargo freight station near CVG.

“Same-day delivery within Ohio is thus made possible by combining transport from the Columbus Branch to the delivery destination with Nippon Express' (optional) urgent delivery service,” the release said. “Integrating both arrival and departure operations within the NX Group reduces lead time by approximately one day vis-à-vis the Group's conventional service.”

According to NX Group, most of Nippon Express’ Ohio-bound cargo is delivered to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), but shipping directly to the state enables faster service. Cargo delivery can also be arranged beyond Ohio to neighboring states like West Virginia.

Automotive-related industries have been driving cargo demand in the Midwest, according to the release. Ohio specifically has been attracting manufacturing investments from auto companies like Ford and chip manufacturers like Intel — and for good reason. The state has tax incentives which can help manufacturers save on costs.

Germany-based Schaeffler Group in April announced plans to break ground on a 130,000-square-foot auto parts manufacturing facility in Ohio in mid-2024. That same month, Honda noted that it plans to retool three of its facilities in the state as part of the automaker’s plan to establish an electric vehicle hub in North America.