Singapore is automatic choice for DHL south Asia hub
09 / 03 / 2015
DHL Express has unveiled plans for a new South Asia Hub at Singapore’s Changi Airport. The S$140m investment is its largest ever infrastructure project in the country and is due for completion by the first quarter of 2016.
With a total floor area of 23,600 sq m, the hub will have the first fully automated express parcel sorting and processing system in Singapore and South Asia.
Its full capacity will be 628 tonnes or 14,000 shipments per hour, compared with just 225 tonnes per day or 2,400 shipments per hour for the existing manual operation.
DHL Express has been working with Changi Airport Group (CAG) on the plan since 2013. The new operation will be at a 24-hour free trade zone managed by CAG.
The new hub is part of DHL’s strategy to strengthen its market position in Asia. It has an air network of over 40 aircraft covering 40 countries and territories and also uses around 690 commercial flights per day in Asia Pacific.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, chief executive of DHL Express Asia Pacific, Jerry Hsu, said: "DHL Express’ four hubs at Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore are linked to over 70 DHL Express Gateways and, with the continued growth of the Asia Pacific economies, the South Asia Hub will provide the necessary logistics capabilities to support the growth of trade within the region.”
For Changi Airport Group, executive vice president for air hub and development, Yam Kum Weng, said tht the new facility will allow air express parcels to be shipped or transshipped within one hour.
Other DHL Express developments in the region include a new Central Asia Hub in Hong Kong, the North Asia Hub in Shanghai Pudong International Airport and a new gateway in Tokyo, due to be completed in 2016.