Trend Report: Fine Art Logistics in Asia

Art Move at Helutrans, Eythos, Lotus Fine Arts of K C Dat Group and JWD Art Space

The demand for fine arts logistics has grown as the network of art fairs, commercial galleries, institutions and private collectors become increasingly distributed across various art hubs in Asia. Beyond the technical expertise of artwork storage and transportation, these businesses also need to contend with varying regulations in each jurisdiction and environmental concerns associated with shipping. In this trend report, we speak to a selection of fine art logistics companies in Asia: Art Move at Helutrans, Eythos, Lotus Fine Arts from the K C Dat Group and JWD Art Space. We examine how they have navigated regional growth and the complexities of operating across territories.

These companies have varied beginnings. Since establishing its Singapore facility in 1979, Helutrans has expanded their presence in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Yogyakarta, Bangkok and Chiang Mai. A relative newcomer to the business, Eythos was founded in 2024 and operates a network of facilities in Seoul, Hong Kong and Singapore. The K C Dat Group of Companies provide fine art logistics services through Lotus Fine Arts, a joint venture between K C Dat Group’s Asian Tigers and Germany-based Hasenkamp, an authority in fine art handling. JWD Art Space was established in 2020 as the first fully integrated art logistics company in Thailand.

RFID for inventory management. Image courtesy of Helutrans.

Eythos installation team at Art Basel Hong Kong 2025. Photo by Taco den Outer ©️ Eythos.

The development of regional art ecosystems in the last decade has created new opportunities for them. Ida Ng, Co-Founder and CEO of Art Move at Helutrans, explains how the business has been built around a regional model rather than treating each market in isolation. She says, “Our network allows us to support our clients and their collections as artworks move across major commercial centres, galleries, institutions, art fairs and private collections across the region.” Rather than identifying growth through transaction volumes alone, she stresses the need to look at the underlying ecosystem, the arrival of international art businesses and the frequency with which artworks move across cities. 

Similarly, Eythos operates a network of facilities at Asia’s key logistics intersections. Zohra Azi, Chief of Staff, Eythos, remarks, “We see Asia as a connected web, with Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, Seoul, and Singapore and Southeast Asia, anchoring a broader ecosystem for market activity across the region.” Eythos is an official shipper for Frieze Seoul, Design Miami Seoul, Kiaf SEOUL and ART SG.

Installation view of Tomás Saraceno’s Awan, at CapitaSpring, Singapore. Image courtesy of Lotus Fine Arts.

For Lotus Fine Arts, being part of the larger KC DAT Group of Companies means it can tap into an established network of partners and expertise in navigating regional jurisdictions. Managing Director John Lim explains, “We support regional client demand with six decades of move logistics experience as Asian Tigers and industry affiliations as a member of ARTIM, a premier network of fine art logistics partners.” He also notes that art logistics partners in Southeast Asia grapple with the geographical challenges and different practices for customs more often than their counterparts in the Americas and Europe.

Artist Engineering (AE) Art Handling System. Image courtesy of Helutrans.

JWD Art Space’s storage facility. Image courtesy of JWD Art Space.

As the market matures, clients’ expectations have also evolved. For Helutrans, this means investing in their physical infrastructure. Ng says, “Helutrans was the first art logistics company in Asia to adopt the Artist Engineering (AE) Art Handling System, an innovative handling solution that improves both the safety and efficiency of moving artworks.” By reducing manual handling and streamlining installation processes, the system helps minimise risk while supporting more efficient project delivery. 

Beyond transportation, storage facilities have also become more sophisticated. Lim highlights the importance of top-tier security standards and bonded storage among clients. He adds, “We operate and offer bonded climate-controlled storage at Lotus Fine Arts in Singapore and at Le Freeport, a luxury high-security storage vault.” Similarly, JWD Art Space has expanded their services to include build-to-suit art storage. This gives clients a storage facility fully customised to their needs, equipped with temperature controls and security systems. Punnapa Parimethachai, Director of JWD Art Space, elaborates, “This reflects a shift in demand, where more museum quality artworks are being acquired in Thailand which require a personalised level of attention and care.”

Eythos’ dedicated framing studio makes bespoke frames to fit any type of artwork. Photo by Taco den Outer ©️ Eythos.

In a similar vein, Eythos offers end-to-end solutions. “We provide clients an integrated ecosystem of secure storage, logistics, installation, framing and conservation preparation within purpose-built environments,” says Azi. The company’s in-house Atelier de Fabrication supports art fairs, exhibitions and private collections with bespoke carpentry and technical expertise. They also have dedicated storage zones for different media and conservation needs, including works on paper, photography and film.

Helutrans is part of the ROKBOX LOOP network, where ROKBOX crates are circulated internationally. Image courtesy of Helutrans.

Reducing the environmental impact of art logistics is an industry-wide challenge. For Helutrans and JWD Art Space, the approach is to focus on the areas where they can make the greatest direct impact, such as with packaging. Ng stresses that sustainability must be introduced in a practical and responsible way. “The objective is to reduce avoidable environmental impact without compromising the safety, security or long-term preservation of the artworks entrusted to us,” says Ng. Helutrans is part of the international ROKBOX LOOP network, where ROKBOX crates are reused internationally. For Ng, the network model is important as sustainability requires collaboration among stakeholders in different markets, from logistics providers, museums and galleries to private collectors. Similarly, JWD Art Space is also focusing its efforts on packaging by leveraging the circular economy framework of SCG Packaging (SCGP) to develop eco-friendly, high-performance solutions for fine art.

Taking a different route, K C Dat Group has honed in on renewable energy and invested in 665 solar panels to power their storage facilities, avoiding 131 tonnes of indirect carbon dioxide emissions annually. Additionally, they have adopted electric forklifts and are in the process of  transitioning to electric options for external transportation. 

And Eythos is taking a multi-pronged approach. Azi states that sustainability is a founding pillar for the company. “We have been carbon neutral since our inception, while continuing to prioritise measurable emissions reductions,” she elaborates. This is achieved through renewable-powered facilities, smart routing, lower-emission transport choices and reusable crating.

Art technicians inspecting incoming crates. Photo by Taco den Outer ©️ Eythos.

Installing Mit Jai Inn’s artworks. Image courtesy of JWD Art Space.

These fine art logistics companies are deepening their roles in Asia’s art infrastructure. Eythos is opening SKYTOPIA at Hong Kong International Airport in 2027. Azi says, “It will help set a new benchmark for art and valuables custody in Asia by connecting airside handling, customs processing, and secure storage more directly.” While strengthening their existing logistics corridors, Eythos also plans to expand selectively into markets where their specialist approach can make a meaningful difference. 

For 2026, Helutrans is expanding its operations into Thailand, specifically Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Ng shares, “Where we can, we want to champion artists, support cultural institutions, and help strengthen the ecosystems that allow the arts to thrive.” To this end, their Chiang Mai Art Sanctuary allows  visitors to engage more closely with local artistic practices, engendering  stronger connections across the regional art community.

As for  JWD Art Space, the focus is now on strengthening the local creative infrastructure through strategic collaborations with government agencies, cultural ministries and art communities. “Through joint public-private efforts, we want to build long-term career pathways and develop the human capital needed to execute major international exhibitions,” Parimethachai explains. JWD Art Space has worked closely with the Thai Ministry of Culture’s Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC) and community leaders to manage large-scale projects such as Thailand Biennale Phuket 2025. 

In this trend report, we have looked at the evolution of Art Move at Helutrans, Eythos, Lotus Fine Arts and JWD Art Space, from their varied beginnings to the steady expansion of their operations. Collectively, they serve a wide–and increasing– range of fine art logistics needs of public and private clients. As they grow, they are also conscientiously adopting innovative, sustainable solutions, and rewriting the industry standards for fine art logistics.