Grab invests in Ninja Van to boost logistics network

Singapore-based Ninja Van and ride-hailing giant Grab announced a partnership that will create Southeast Asia’s widest logistics network, according to a statement.

Photo source: Grab

As part of the deal, Grab has invested in the logistics startup while Ninja Van is set to adopt GrabPay across its platform.

Grab will integrate Ninja Van’s services into GrabExpress, its on-demand parcel and courier delivery service. GrabExpress is currently available in 150 cities across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Ninja Van, which covers more than 450 cities in the region, can tap into Grab’s large user base in these countries. This regional tie-up also expands GrabExpress’ delivery service by including more functionality, such as nationwide scheduled deliveries.

Ninja Van’s services will be available on the Grab app in the second quarter of 2019, and will be rolled out in phases across Southeast Asia.

Grab has been busy this year as it marches towards its goal to become Southeast Asia’s “super app” of choice. The Ninja Van partnership follows the recent release of four new in-app features for Grab’s Singaporean users, which include hotel and ticket-booking services.

Grab also integrated food delivery services into its main app earlier this year and discontinued the separate GrabFood app. The ride-hailing unicorn also partnered with video-streaming service Hooq in January to offer content through its platform.