DHL Express has expanded its logistics infrastructure and air freight network in China, investing €177 million in its Shenzhen gateway and launching a new intercontinental freighter service to increase supply chain capacity between China and markets across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
Shenzhen Logistics Gateway Triples Processing Capacity
DHL Express has expanded its Shenzhen ‘Super Gateway’ at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport as it strengthens logistics capacity supporting international supply chains and cross-border trade.
The €177 million investment is DHL’s largest in mainland China to date and has tripled the facility’s processing capacity to approximately 900 tons per day.
Located in one of China’s major manufacturing and export regions, the gateway supports cross-border trade, e-commerce shipments and time-definite international express services. The expansion will also create more than 1,000 jobs and increase DHL’s network capabilities in Southern China.
New Air Freight Route Connects Key Global Trade Lanes
Alongside the infrastructure investment, DHL Express has launched a new daily Boeing 767 freighter service connecting Shanghai, Bangkok, Bahrain and Brussels before returning to Shanghai.
The route adds up to 50 tons of daily capacity and strengthens connections between China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe. DHL said the service will provide customers with greater scheduling flexibility and increased capacity for heavier shipments across key trade lanes.
The additional capacity also supports DHL’s Heavyweight Express offering, which enables larger shipments to move through its international time-definite network with door-to-door visibility, customs expertise and predictable transit times.
Supply Chain Investment Responds to Changing Global Trade
DHL said the investments come as global supply chains continue to diversify while China maintains an important role in manufacturing, sourcing, innovation and consumption.
John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express, said: “Global supply chains continue to adapt to changing economic conditions, geopolitical disruption and evolving customer requirements. Our focus is on ensuring customers have the flexible, reliable and high-quality logistics networks they need to connect with suppliers, production locations and consumers around the world.
“These investments enhance the connections between China and global markets and reinforce DHL’s role as the logistics partner of choice for international e-commerce and fast-growing sectors such as data center and semiconductor logistics, life sciences and healthcare and new energy.”
DHL Targets Resilient International Supply Chains
Demand for logistics capacity is growing among customers in technology, industrial manufacturing, semiconductors, healthcare, data centre infrastructure and new energy, according to DHL. Many of these industries depend heavily on manufacturing and supplier networks across China and the wider Asian region.
DHL said it is continuing to invest in infrastructure and transportation capabilities to help customers respond to changing supply chain requirements, access international markets and strengthen operational resilience.
The China expansion follows other investment commitments in regions DHL expects to benefit from changing trade patterns, including Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and India.
