DHL Express is expanding its infrastructure and air freight network in China. The company has invested 177 million euros in the expansion of its so-called Super Gateway at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport. According to DHL, this is the largest investment the company has made on mainland China to date.
The processing capacity of the facility has been tripled. The gateway can now handle approximately 900 tonnes of shipments per day. This benefits exporters from South China in particular, including companies from major production regions around Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta.
Additionally, DHL has introduced a daily freighter rotation with a Boeing 767. The route runs from Shanghai via Bangkok and Bahrain to Brussels and subsequently back to Shanghai. According to DHL, this creates up to 50 tonnes of additional capacity per day.
For practical purposes, it is important to note: the expansion in Shenzhen and the new flight connection from Shanghai are two separate measures. The new rotation is not a direct Shenzhen-Brussels connection. Shippers must therefore carefully verify which Chinese gateway actually processes their shipment.
The additional capacity is particularly aimed at heavy and time-critical express shipments. DHL lists technology, industrial manufacturing, semiconductors, healthcare, data centre infrastructure and new energy sources as growth areas. This applies, for example, to server technology, spare parts, machine components or high-value electronic components.
Pharmaceutical shipments can also be of interest in principle. However, the new connection is not automatically a designated pharma route with guaranteed temperature control. Temperature-controlled environment, packaging, monitoring requirements and clearance must be clarified prior to booking.