DHL Express has completed the $204 million expansion of its \u201csuper gateway\u201d at Shenzhen Bao\u2019an International Airport in South China\u2019s Guangdong province, tripling shipping capacity to 992 tons per day and enabling more direct cargo flights.<\/p>\n
The project represents the company\u2019s largest investment in mainland China to date, supporting cross-border trade and time-definite international express services in one of China\u2019s most important manufacturing and export regions.<\/p>\n
A gateway in the DHL network is a regional connection point that links local service centers to the global network. Some shipments from producers in Shenzhen and trucked to DHL\u2019s main terminal at Hong Kong International Airport if they need to reach other intercontinental hubs.<\/p>\n
Once at full capacity, annual throughput is expected to exceed 286,000 tons, about 10 times the volume handled by the previous Shenzhen gateway, according to the China Daily News<\/a>. Construction of the facility began in 2022. The heavily automated facility features high-speed sorting systems, automated storage, robotic arms and automated guided vehicles designed to efficiently and safely unload, store, handle, inspect and monitor parcels and larger shipments.\u00a0<\/p>\n Complementing the expansion of shipment processing capacity, DHL has introduced a new dedicated<\/a> air route with a widebody Boeing 767 cargo jet linking Shanghai; Bangkok, Thailand; Bahrain and Brussels, Belgium, to meet demand for air cargo transport between China and key markets across Asia, the Middle East and Europe, DHL announced this week.<\/p>\n The new capabilities give DHL Express more flexibility to support customers\u2019 logistics needs, especially in target sectors such as AI data centers, semiconductors, technology, life sciences and healthcare and next-generation energy, including electric batteries. The express air network is also heavily used by e-commerce shippers.<\/p>\n The addition of a 767 freighter route fits with the company\u2019s new Heavyweight Express offering, connecting suppliers interested in moving larger shipments through DHL Express\u2019s time-definite network with predictable transit times.\u00a0<\/p>\n DHL Group\u2019s second-quarter profit grew 22% on $25.8 in revenue. Express heavyweight is a premium product in the DHL network and one the company is promoting to shippers with urgent consignments that can use the extra capacity in its package freighters.<\/p>\n Click here for more FreightWaves\/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.<\/a><\/p>\n Write to Eric Kulisch at ekulisch@freightwaves.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n DHL 30% profit growth led by heavy air freight<\/a><\/p>\n Upcoming FreightWaves Events<\/p>\n Compliance<\/p>\n Brokerage Compliance Symposium<\/p>\n The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face – fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps – navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.<\/p>\n October 26, 2026<\/p>\n The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo \u2022 Chattanooga, TN<\/p>\n Register Now<\/a><\/p>\n Awards<\/p>\n F3 Awards Dinner<\/p>\n The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music – 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.<\/p>\n October 26, 2026<\/p>\n The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo \u2022 Chattanooga, TN<\/p>\n Register Now<\/a><\/p>\n FreightTech<\/p>\n F3: Future of Freight Festival<\/p>\n Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga – plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.<\/p>\n October 27, 2026 \u2013 October 28, 2026<\/p>\n The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo \u2022 Chattanooga, TN<\/p>\n Register Now<\/a><\/p>\n \n Compliance The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face – fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps – navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.<\/p>\n The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo \u2022 Chattanooga, TN \n Awards The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music – 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.<\/p>\n The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo \u2022 Chattanooga, TN \n FreightTech Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga – plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.<\/p>\n
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\n Oct 27 \u2013 Oct 28 \u2022 The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo \u2022 Chattanooga, TN\n <\/p>\n