On June 30, 2026, Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd. (OC Global; Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO & President: Eiji Yonezawa) and BENNERS, Inc. (hereinafter “BENNERS”) were selected under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s (METI) “Subsidy Program for the Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project.”

Building on the foundation of the Smart Island Pilot Project (SIPP), this project aims to establish a new supply chain and market by combining the creation of higher value-added fishery products with digital transformation (DX).

Small-scale fishing vessel operating around remote islands off Makassar

Non-export fish species from remote islands off Makassar

Indonesia ranks second in the world in fisheries catch volume. However, on remote islands and in other areas with underdeveloped infrastructure, the development of cold chains has not progressed sufficiently, resulting in the deterioration of the freshness of fishery products and persistently low prices. In addition, underutilized fish species, which account for approximately 70% of the total catch, remain largely uncommercialized due to the lack of appropriate processing technologies and markets. Some are discarded onboard fishing vessels, posing a major challenge from the perspective of resource management as well.

In remote islands and areas of the Republic of Indonesia, this project will introduce, in an integrated manner: (1) a low-carbon fisheries cold chain utilizing renewable energy; (2) advanced processing technologies that add value to currently underutilized fish; and (3) a traceability application that ensures freshness and quality. Through the promotion of green transformation (GX) and DX in fisheries logistics, the project will facilitate the effective use of marine resources and seek to create a sustainable new market.

By integrating a low-carbon cold chain powered by renewable energy with Japan’s advanced freshness-preservation and processing technologies and digital traceability, the project will enable underutilized fish to be distributed to urban and halal markets as high-value-added products, thereby contributing to the sustainable use of marine resources.

OC Global is implementing the Smart Island Pilot Project (SIPP), which promotes the electrification and development of the fisheries industry on remote islands off Makassar City, South Sulawesi Province, through the introduction of cold chain facilities powered by renewable energy.

Drawing on the respective expertise and technologies of OC Global in infrastructure engineering and BENNERS in the advanced processing of underutilized fish, the two companies will undertake this project and contribute to the development of Indonesia’s fisheries industry and the realization of GX and DX across the Global South.

OC Global contributes to solving food-related challenges in the respective country by supporting the distribution of safe and fresh food through the introduction of cold chain facilities powered by renewable energy, while also contributing to the conservation of valuable aquatic resources.