A NEW joint venture (JV) among three big Japanese shipping lines will incorporate its operating company in Singapore.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha announced on Wednesday that their new JV will operate under the tradename "Ocean Network Express".

The holding company is currently planned in Japan and an operating company is planned to be incorporated in Singapore.

In addition, regional headquarters of the operating company will be set up in Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Sao Polo and Richmond, Virginia.

The establishment of the new JV will be officially announced once all anti-trust reviews are completed. The service commencement date for Ocean Network Express is April 1, 2018, the statement said.