DHL considers Hong Kong listing, says report
DHL is contemplating listing shares in Hong Kong, according to a local media report. The Hong Kong Economic Journal said earlier today (Monday) that the global carrier has invited investment banks to make listing proposals, citing unnamed sources.
According to the report, DHL has yet to decide what parts of the business would be listed, describing the listing plan as being at a very preliminary stage.
DHL has recently put heavy emphasis on the development of its portfolio in the AsPac arena. In May, the company revealed it had put a “significant investment programme” in place in a bid to expand its global capabilities.
The operator launched an additional daily intercontinental route from Hong Kong to Cincinnati, as “a direct response to increasing demands for services from South China and Hong Kong to North America.”
DHL also noted that its new $175m North Asia Hub, situated at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, will open early next year.
Furthermore, DHL has thrown its weight behind the bid to build a third runway at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). The company said the development is “crucial to meeting the territory’s future need for cargo capacity and stay economically competitive”.
The operator also invested EUR 100m by adding three Boeing 747-400 Converted Freighters (BCFs) to its air network in Asia, in a joint venture between Cathay Pacific and DHL. The three aircraft will be operated by Air Hong Kong.
Speaking last month, Jerry Hsu, CEO of DHL Express Asia Pacific, said: “We continue to see significant potential in Asia Pacific. We have been operating in the region for over 40 years, having pioneered the international Express industry across many cities. With significant infrastructural assets and our continued investment, we constantly raise the bar to become the provider of choice to our customers.”
DHL announced earlier today that it will launch an LCL service between Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City.
When contacted by Post&Parcel this afternoon, a Deutsche Post DHL spokesperson said the company would not comment on the report.
