Cainiao Smart Logistics Network (Cainiao Network) announced the expansion of its last–mile network in Singapore to shorten delivery time for e-commerce parcels and improve customer experience, a press release confirmed.  

Alibaba’s logistics arm forged partnerships with SingPost, BEST Logistics, Roadbull and Park N Parcel, to provide more competitive pricing and last-mile service offerings for Singapore’s consumers. 

Aside from home deliveries through the 600 couriers in its expanded network, customers can opt for individual pick–ups at the 1,600 collection points, and 500 lockers island-wide. 

Digitalising last-mile delivery 

Cainiao says it will also leverage its technological capabilities to digitalise last–mile logistics to provide greater efficiency. 

Each parcel will be tagged with an electronic shipping label to facilitate the ease of real-time tracking from the point of overseas dispatch to final local delivery.  

Its Global Smart Delivery Platform (GSDP) will be used to assign delivery tasks to the most suitable logistics partner by evaluating a range of metrics, such as cost and service level, as well as the courier’s location and capacity. 

Cainiao noted that the expansion and digitalisation of the last–mile network aims to support Singapore’s rapidly growing e-commerce industry that is contributing 200,000 parcels daily, according to the Ministry of Communications and Information. 

Caniao expects its expansion in Singapore will create a more seamless logistics flow that promises greater visibility and operational efficiency. 

For consumers, this means they can enjoy more competitive pricing and faster deliveries – as fast as the next day upon customs clearance, the release noted. 

The company earlier started four weekly charter flights between Hangzhou and Singapore to provide more air freight capacity leading to the peak season.