DHL signs MoU with Shanghai Airport Authority, plans north Asia hub

DHL said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Shanghai Airport Authority to explore building a north Asia hub in the city.

The two parties have yet to reach a final agreement, and discussions are likely to continue for the next few months, a DHL spokesperson said.

‘DHL’s signing of the MoU with the Shanghai Airport Authority is an indication of DHL’s interest in building a hub in Shanghai. We have not reached a final agreement,’ the spokesperson said.

DHL aims to have a north Asia hub operating by 2009.

DHL hopes to tap into the northeast Asian market, which will be the key driver of the continent’s booming transportation sector over the next 15 years.

The Asian transportation market is projected to grow to over 1.3 trln usd by 2021 from 700 bln usd now.

‘With this healthy growth forecast and the strong growth of our business, particularly the outstanding growth in demand from our customers in China and northeast Asia, DHL has plans to build a north Asia hub,’ the spokesperson said.

DHL operates two primary express hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as four secondary express hubs in Bangkok, Seoul, Sydney and Tokyo.