DHL to create faster links between Asia and the rest of the world

DHL announced its decision to establish a USD 175 million DHL Express North Asia Hub in Shanghai, China. This new facility, to be located at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, will build on DHL’s already extensive global network and provide better connections from Asia to the US and Europe.
DHL has been working to further boost its global aviation strategy, and provide better global transport links for its customers.

The development of the North Asia Hub is part of DHL’s ‘hubs and spokes’ regional air network strategy. Hubs like Shanghai, are optimally positioned to reduce transit times and distances within the regions but also ensure that the region is better connected with the rest of the world. Shanghai will provide added flexibility for its customers with guaranteed Time Definite morning delivery for more major cities in North Asia.

DHL has been working to further boost its global aviation strategy, and provide better global transport links for its customers. This year it entered two important strategic partnerships: in June, DHL Express completed a strategic partnership transaction with air cargo carrier Polar Air, in which DHL Express holds a 49 percent stake; in September, DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo also established a joint cargo airline. These partnerships, effective from late-2008 and April 2009 respectively, will enable DHL to meet the anticipated strong increase in demand for cargo space between Asia Pacific and Europe as well as the US, providing customers with assured long-term airlift capacity for their shipments.

DHL will be using the latest state-of-the-art technology in the new hub, including a Quality Control Center (QCCs) that also serves as a nerve center for crisis management. Operating round the clock, the DHL QCCs are a network of regional and country quality control centers that proactively monitor all DHL shipments in the air and on the ground. The North Asia Hub will also be equipped with a leading-edge Automated Sorting System, designed to enhance efficiency and speed in cargo processing to provide customers with even better time-to-market capabilities. It will have the capacity to sort conveyable shipments to a peak capacity of up to 20,000 parcels and 20,000 documents per hour.

DHL already has a strong presence in China – there are four major gateways in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzen, and DHL currently runs over 500 commercial and dedicated flights per week in and out of China. In Asia Pacific, DHL’s customers are served by over 20 dedicated aircraft serving more than 30 destinations in 16 countries and territories. DHL also utilizes more than 800 commercial flights daily in the region.