DHL Express Adelaide Airport Facility Officially Commissioned

• Representing a $32 million investment, the new facility is four times larger with peak handling capacity increased by four times
• Transit times for outbound shipments to Asia Pacific, Europe and the UK are now faster by a day
• Through the use of technologies and measures, DHL Express aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for its operations at the Adelaide Gateway

DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, today officially celebrates the opening of its newly relocated Adelaide Gateway in the Airport Junction precinct in Young Avenue Netley alongside partners and customers.

The AU$32 million investment into the facility underscores DHL’s commitment to facilitating global trade for Australia while deepening its contributions to decarbonizing its business practices. With an impressive 8,600sqm warehouse space, the facility’s peak handling capacity has now increased fourfold compared to its previous site. Shipments that were previously routed to other Australian cities can now go direct to Singapore before their onward journey to Asia Pacific, Europe, and the UK, cutting down transit times by a full day.

“This strategic investment into a new Adelaide Gateway facility is testament to our strong support for our customers’ growth in this part of the country, allowing locally based businesses to access international markets faster. Overall, South Australia’s exports are worth more than $17 billion and the expanded Gateway helps customers in this space boost their supply chain efficiencies and integrate seamlessly into the global economy,” said Ken Lee, CEO, DHL Express, Asia Pacific.

The Airport Junction’s prime central location provides many advantages from a freight and logistics perspective as it is located just 6km from Adelaide’s CBD, 13km from Port Adelaide, 11km from the Adelaide Freight Terminal (rail) and 2.5km from Adelaide’s busiest freight route, the North-South Corridor, which is currently undergoing a $15.4 billion road upgrade.

“The South Australian Government’s recently released Freight and Supply Chain strategy identifies the importance of increasing direct air freight access into and out of Adelaide and reducing the need to rely on other Australia ports. DHL is supporting Adelaide’s growth potential by providing stable and reliable direct-to-market international express shipping services despite the overarching volatile economic landscape,” said Phil Corcoran, Managing Director, DHL Express Australia and Papua New Guinea. 

An enhanced facility to boost Australia’s connectivity

DHL’s Adelaide Gateway facility is equipped with a new automated sorting system that reduces errors and gets drivers out on the road earlier, thereby reducing transit times. The direct-load system also allows direct manual transfer of parcels from the conveyor belt into the backs of vans with ease, improving employee safety.

With sustainability at the core of all DHL Express’s business, the new Adelaide Gateway aligns with the Group’s net-zero GHG emissions target by 2050. It features 199 solar panels on the roof, generating an estimated 110 kWh per hour, reducing at least 120 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. The facility also employs high-efficiency equipment, including IE3 motors for conveyors (denoting ‘Premium Efficiency’ for electric motors), 100% LED lighting, electric forklifts, roof and vertical skylights and a rainwater harvesting system and its building management system software monitors and automatically controls electrical consumption, further promoting energy efficiency.