In 2024, DHL Express, the leading international express service provider, has made substantial upgrades to its Asia-Pacific infrastructure to adapt to changing trade dynamics and increasing demand for faster, more reliable logistics. These improvements are designed to enhance regional connectivity and efficiency.
Ken Lee, CEO of DHL Express Asia Pacific, stated, “The Asia Pacific markets are experiencing significant growth driven by the diversification of global supply chains, structural advantages, and the rise of e-commerce. With our proactive planning, we are well-equipped to meet these shifts in demand through the timely and strategic enhancements implemented across the region. These upgrades also position us to better support our customers.”
Explore the groundbreaking developments that DHL Express has achieved in 2024.
1. Upgraded Singapore South Asia Hub
Over the past year, DHL Express has expanded several key facilities in the region to accommodate rising trade volumes. The South Asia Hub, located near Changi Airport in Singapore, has been upgraded to handle projected volume increases, which exceeded 20% in 2021 and 2022. This hub is a critical component of DHL Express’s multi-hub strategy for Asia Pacific, utilizing Singapore’s strategic position as a major logistics center to facilitate shipments to Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania. Enhancements to the Hub include the installation of new X-ray screening machines that boost scanning capacity by nearly 30% and improvements to the existing material handling system that increase sorting capacity by almost 40%.
The South Asia Hub also hosts five Boeing 777 freighters owned by DHL and operated by Singapore Airlines under a crew and maintenance agreement. These aircraft provide an additional payload capacity of over 1,200 tons, improving transit times between the Americas and Asia while facilitating trade between the continents. The new Boeing 777s produce 18% fewer carbon emissions compared to the older B747-400s, thereby reducing DHL’s Scope 1 emissions.
2. Advanced gateway in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
In October 2024, DHL Express inaugurated an advanced gateway in Kuala Lumpur, reinforcing Malaysia’s role as a sourcing hub, especially for the electronics and electrical manufacturing sectors. With an investment of approximately EUR 60 million, the expanded facility covers over 13,000 square meters and features a fully automated sorting system. It has been built in accordance with DHL Group’s standards for carbon-neutral buildings, incorporating solar panels and energy-efficient systems for water and electricity throughout the complex.
3. Direct flight from Hong Kong to Jakarta, Indonesia
Regional enhancements also include strengthening the company’s network along high-demand trade routes. In September 2024, a new direct flight from Hong Kong to Jakarta was launched to enhance transit times and improve customer service. This development will benefit businesses and consumers in Indonesia by providing quicker deliveries of intra-Asia Pacific shipments and expanding trade opportunities with Asian partners.
4. Dedicated flight route between Sydney and Hong Kong
Oceania's export-driven economy benefits significantly from the company's advanced logistics networks and streamlined customs processes. To help customers take full advantage of the region's opportunities and trade routes to their Asia-Pacific partners, a dedicated flight route has been established between Sydney and Hong Kong, enhancing connectivity from Oceania. Once shipments arrive in Hong Kong, next-day delivery services are available to Mainland China, India, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
5. Two ground facilities in Adelaide and Newcastle, Australia
The company has strengthened its presence in Australia with a newly opened gateway in Adelaide, which has been relocated closer to the airport. This expanded facility has quadrupled its peak handling capacity and improves transit times for outbound shipments to Asia Pacific, Europe, and the U.K. by one day. It will also provide local businesses with direct air freight access to and from Adelaide and South Australia, reducing their dependence on other Australian ports. Furthermore,
DHL Express has established a new multi-million dollar service center in Newcastle, which is over ten times larger than the previous location. This infrastructure will assist regional businesses in exporting their products to international markets and accessing a broader range of imports for their supply chains.
6. New gateway in Christchurch, New Zealand
DHL Express is also set to open a new gateway in Christchurch, New Zealand, further expanding its presence in the country. This facility represents the largest investment ever made by the company in New Zealand and will be its first 100% carbon-neutral facility in the country. Equipped with a line sorter conveyor system capable of processing up to 6,500 parcels per hour for inbound shipments and 5,600 parcels per hour for outbound shipments, it will enable local Kiwi businesses to import and export more efficiently.
7. Hong Kong West Service Center
Hong Kong serves as a vital gateway for trade between mainland China and the global market. To further improve connectivity in this special administrative region as it prepares to address increasing trade demands, DHL Express has launched its Hong Kong West Service Center. This facility has the capacity to manage over 50,000 shipments daily and has received LEED Gold certification, a prestigious global standard for green buildings.
8. DHL Express and Japan Airlines partnership
In the first quarter of 2024, DHL Express and Japan Airlines expanded their partnership to create a broader air network linking Japan, Seoul, Shanghai, and Taipei. This move highlights DHL Express’s agility and its commitment to enhancing service reliability and efficiency.
9. Automated shipment sorting Hub in New Delhi, India
As a favored multi-shoring destination, India’s overall exports are on the rise, with a growth rate of 1.23% recorded between November 2022 and 2023. The latest DHL Global Connectedness Tracker indicates that India has one of the largest increases in its share of global trade. In response to the growing demand for logistics services, DHL Express has invested in and opened its first automated shipment sorting hub in New Delhi, India, addressing local businesses' needs for seamless exports to international markets.
10. New Service Center in Thailand
Officially opened in January 2025, DHL Express has opened a new service center in Thepharak, Samut Prakarn, Thailand, marking its 15th facility in the country. Spanning 2,462 square meters, the Thepharak service center is one of the largest in Thailand. Its strategic location near Suvarnabhumi Airport enables shorter transit times to the DHL Bangkok Hub, which operates 85 dedicated flights weekly, connecting Thailand to 220 countries and territories worldwide.
The Thepharak service center features an advanced dual-view X-ray inspection system and sorting stations for handling both lightweight and heavyweight shipments, with a peak capacity of 900 shipments per hour. It also provides a convenient drop-off and pick-up service point for customers.
This center will serve customers in Bangkok areas such as Phra Khanong and Bang Na, as well as industrial and residential zones in Samut Prakarn, including Muang Samut Prakarn, Thepharak, Samrong Nuer, Bang Muang, and Bang Pu.
These significant improvements by DHL Express underscore its dedication to meeting the changing needs of businesses in the Asia-Pacific region. Through investments in cutting-edge technology, sustainable infrastructure, and strategic partnerships, DHL Express is now more equipped than ever to assist customers in overcoming geographic challenges and delivering faster, greener, and more dependable shipping solutions.
