DHL Global Forwarding Connects Three Continents with New Air Freighter

DHL Global Forwarding installs additional air freight capacities tailored to the needs of the life sciences and healthcare sectors. The air freighter operates twice a week, flying from Chongqing (China) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), Chicago (USA), and Incheon (South Korea), before returning to China.

(Bonn) DHL Global Forwarding has launched a new cargo aircraft that connects the Asia-Pacific region with Europe and the USA. With the additional air freight capacities, DHL is responding to the high demand from customers in the technology, manufacturing, and life sciences and healthcare (LSH) sectors. The air freighter operates twice a week, flying from Chongqing (China) to Amsterdam (Netherlands), Chicago (USA), and Incheon (South Korea), before returning to China. The connection is managed by StarBroker, DHL Global Forwarding’s in-house charter team.

Air Freight Market Remains Volatile

“Although some passenger airlines have resumed operations, the situation in the air freight market remains volatile – especially since there is still a lack of belly capacity. For us as a leading provider in the air freight market, it is a top priority to provide our customers with sufficient and reliable air freight capacities. Not only for a global economic recovery but also in preparation for the availability of vaccines and other essential medical supplies during the pandemic, resilient, agile, and reliable supply chains are of utmost importance,” says Thomas Mack, Global Head of Air Freight at DHL Global Forwarding.

Healthcare Products Increased by 26.7% in South Korea

In South Korea, exports of healthcare products rose by 26.7% in the first half of 2020 compared to the previous year. In particular, the export of pharmaceutical products increased by 52.5%. China exported over 28.5% more medical products and medical devices in the first five months of the year compared to the previous year. Together, China, the Netherlands, and the United States were among the top ten importers and exporters of medical goods in 2019. “In recent years, DHL has further expanded its LSH expertise: from globally certified branches and staff to technologies that track shipments in real-time and ensure the integrity of products throughout transport. A reliable availability of urgently needed air freight capacities is, so to speak, the last missing link in the supply chains, ensuring that temperature-sensitive products such as life-saving vaccines reach the places where they are urgently needed,” adds Mack.

15,000 Flights for Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines?

In a recently published study, DHL, together with McKinsey & Company as an analysis partner, examined the logistical challenges for vaccines and other medical goods during the Covid-19 pandemic. To ensure a global supply of Covid-19 vaccines, around 200,000 pallet transports, 15 million deliveries in cool boxes, and 15,000 flights will be required across the various supply chains. The complete study can be downloaded at https://www.dhl.com/pandemic-resilience. DHL Global Forwarding has a global network of locations that meets the highest standards according to the IATA Temperature Control Regulations (TCR) and the GDP (Good Distribution Practices) guidelines of the European Union, as well as other requirements from the World Health Organization and other regulatory authorities. As a leading international provider of air, sea, and land transport services, DHL Global Forwarding offers various temperature-controlled freight solutions such as DHL Air Thermonet and DHL LifeConEx. These solutions provide both the possibility of real-time monitoring and active supervision of sensitive transport goods, such as medications, medical products, vaccines, and medical and diagnostic devices.

1.3 Million Test Kits Flown in April

In April 2020, DHL Global Forwarding, utilizing its life sciences and healthcare network, temperature-controlled solutions, and expertise in customs clearance, flew over 1.3 million Covid-19 test kits from South Korea to Brazil, Ecuador, India, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the transport service provider established a special weekly air freight service with a capacity of 100 tons for the transport of medical goods and protective clothing between the Middle East and Africa. Graphic: © DHL www.dhl.com