DHL Global Forwarding Thailand Launches DHL International Multimodal Hub

• Customers now have the flexibility also in Thailand to easily transition between modes of transport and can access simplified customs procedures in a single location
• DHL’s new whitepaper on road freight highlights continued importance of multimodal transportation as businesses diversify their supply chains

DHL Global Forwarding, the freight specialist of DHL Group, is proud to introduce the DHL International Multimodal Hub. The new 480m2 facility is located within the Multimodal Transportation Center at Suvarnabhumi International Airport Free Zone 3 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Airports of Thailand Ground Aviation Services Company Limited (AOTGA), in collaboration with Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) and Thai Customs, recently launched the Multimodal Transportation Center, a facility that aims to streamline trade by implementing effective customs control measures and to elevate Thailand's transportation and logistics industry into a regional hub.

DHL Global Forwarding Thailand is the only international freight forwarder with a dedicated warehouse space within the center.  With this, DHL can offer customers a comprehensive range of multimodal services, providing the flexibility to transition between road, air, and sea freight seamlessly. It facilitates efficient deconsolidation and consolidation of shipments for import, export, and transit, all while simplifying customs procedures at a single location.

"One of the major advantages of DHL International Multimodal Hub is that customs clearance can now be centralized and conducted within Bangkok rather than at the borders as before. This change has a transformative impact, leading to substantial improvements in transit times and more efficient delivery of goods to customers and end-users,” said Vincent Yong, Managing Director of DHL Global Forwarding Thailand.

DHL International Multimodal Hub offers the following benefits:

• Flexibility to switch transportation modes
• Waived Exporter of Record / Importer of Record for Transit and Multimodal shipments
• 24/7 customs clearance service including expert handling of shipments requiring specific documents, and facilitation of local payment of duties and taxes
• Advanced security features such as CCTV, security eyes, and security cage for high value goods

Easy handling of Shipment Licenses where goods can be imported into the Hub and kept in the “1 stop service concept” which enables efficient processing while awaiting the release of necessary documents, product samples, and inspections.

Continued importance of road freight as part of multimodal solutions

“During the pandemic, lack of capacity, high ocean and air freight rates, as well as the closure of ports and airports, drove customers over to road freight. Now that the situation has normalized, customers continue to see road freight's importance, especially in this region.

Road freight plays also an important role in a multimodal solution especially if you are moving goods within the region, or with China. Moving goods through a combination of transport modes in specific rail and road can result in faster Door-to-Door (DTD) lead time compared to ocean freight, with  lower cost than air freight,” said Bruno Selmoni, VP, Head of Road Freight and Multimodal Solutions, Southeast Asia, DHL Global Forwarding.

In a new road freight whitepaper, Highway to the Future: Navigating the Road Freight Opportunities in Southeast Asia, DHL highlighted three key points for the future of road freight in the region:

1. Digitalization and improved infrastructure
   With more businesses looking to build greater supply chain resiliency, the need for real-time visibility and insights into shipment statuses and road conditions is a priority. Southeast Asia's advanced cellular networks have enabled real-time monitoring of road freight via sensors and GPS units, providing customers with accurate predictions of cargo location and arrival times. Platforms like myDHLi also give customers control and visibility into their shipments across all transportation modes.
   Continued investment in improving logistics infrastructure within the region is also leading to more efficient road and rail freight. For example, the new railway linking Vientiane to Kunming and the new DHL International Multimodal Hub in Thailand make multimodal solutions more efficient.
2. Government policies to streamline cross-border freight
   Initiatives like ASEAN’s Customs Transit System, ACTS, aim to reduce paperwork further. The Customs Administrations of all ten ASEAN Member States collectively endorsed the ASEAN Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AAMRA) in 2023. This agreement establishes a consistent and transparent trading environment within the member states. AAMRA aligns certification standards with the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework, ensuring expedited cargo clearance and priority treatment for certified AEOs within ASEAN. Other than regional agreements, countries in the region have also taken steps independently to facilitate the cross-border movement of goods. Cambodia and Vietnam, for example, have worked together to add lanes to one congested checkpoint.
3. Sustainable road freight is high on the agenda
   A report by International Data Corporation (IDC) states that 45% of Asian-based organizations will operationalize integrated sustainability in the supply chain by 2026. Freight transportation, including trucks, planes, ships, and trains, contributes approximately 8% of global greenhouse emissions.

While road freight has many sustainable options, ranging from electric vehicles to hydrogen fuel, a comprehensive partnership between the public and private sectors is needed to drive greater adoption of these solutions.

“According to DHL’s Global Connectedness Report, among the Top 10 most connected countries with Thailand are China (23%), Myanmar (4%), Malaysia (4%), Singapore (3%), Vietnam (3%), and Cambodia (3%). All these countries are well connected to Thailand by land, ocean and air, making Thailand the ideal regional logistics hub for this region,” said Yong.