Freight-trucking company Yellow trucks are parked at subsidiary YRC in Pomona, California, USA. Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / EPA
Aug. 10 (Asia Today) — Lotte Global Logistics said Monday it will significantly expand inland transportation of battery energy storage systems made by LG Energy Solution in the United States as the South Korean logistics company moves deeper into the North American specialty cargo market.
The company has been transporting LG Energy Solution’s U.S.-made battery energy storage systems, or BESS, from production facilities to customers since the first half of the year. It plans to triple transportation volume in the second half compared with the first six months.
The expansion comes as logistics companies seek new growth opportunities amid slowing electric vehicle demand. Lotte Global Logistics is looking to the rapidly growing energy storage sector as a new source of business.
BESS installations store electricity in batteries and release it when needed. They are considered critical infrastructure for balancing intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power and improving grid stability.
Demand for energy storage is growing rapidly in the United States as expanding data centers and artificial intelligence operations increase electricity consumption while utilities contend with aging power grids. LG Energy Solution has identified energy storage, alongside electric vehicles, as a key growth business and is expanding its North American production footprint. The company plans to secure about 50 gigawatt-hours of annual ESS production capacity in North America by the end of this year.
LG Energy Solution has previously said opportunities for grid-scale ESS in North America are expanding because of renewable generation and investment in AI data centers.
Transporting BESS units poses challenges beyond those of conventional freight. The systems are expensive, heavy cargo containing batteries, requiring operators to minimize shocks and vibration and closely monitor cargo conditions.
Long-distance transportation in the United States also requires compliance with applicable safety and transportation regulations.
Lotte Global Logistics has established a dedicated U.S. organization covering sales, consulting, transportation operations and information technology.
The company is also using its internally developed AI logistics platform, Shiptte, and a large language model-based consulting program to improve transportation efficiency.
The systems allow the company to monitor vehicle operations in real time and determine optimal transportation routes. Lotte Global Logistics also plans to automate repetitive administrative work, including reports and invoices.
The expansion reflects the company’s effort to move beyond conventional freight transportation into more complex, higher-value specialty logistics.
Lotte Global Logistics plans to use the increased LG Energy Solution volume as a foothold to expand its North American specialty cargo business, targeting growing logistics demand for batteries, electric vehicle components and other high-value industrial products.
“This contract is the result of our advanced logistics capabilities and local responsiveness being recognized in the global market,” a Lotte Global Logistics official said. “Building on this achievement, we will further strengthen our position in North America’s high-value logistics market.”
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260810010002878
