DHL adds six healthcare air cargo corridors connecting Asia

DHL Global Forwarding has expanded its DHL Health Logistics Cold Chain Network with six new dedicated air cargo corridors connecting Europe and North America with key healthcare and pharmaceutical hubs across Asia.

The new corridors are Liège-Shanghai, Brussels-Shanghai, Brussels-Singapore, Cincinnati-Singapore, Cincinnati-Tokyo Narita and Cincinnati-Seoul Incheon. The routes aim to improve connectivity between major pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and distribution hubs.

The new corridors will provide pharmaceutical customers with greater routing flexibility, access to temperature-controlled capacity and more consistent transit performance. They are also designed to reduce supply chain risks and protect the quality of temperature-sensitive healthcare products.

“These new corridors further expand our Cold Chain Network into strategically important healthcare markets across Asia,” said Henk Venema, global head of air freight at DHL Global Forwarding.

He said the routes respond to customer demand for reliable connectivity between major healthcare markets and give DHL greater control over quality throughout the transportation process.

The new corridors are supported mainly by DHL's dedicated network, with most flights operating on its yellow-branded aircraft. Keeping shipments within the network reduces handovers and gives the company greater control over cargo throughout its journey.

DHL uses Boeing 777 freighter aircraft on its routes. These aircraft have three separate compartments with dedicated temperature settings to meet different cargo requirements.

The expansion follows the launch of the Brussels-Cincinnati air corridor earlier this year. The Cold Chain Network combines dedicated healthcare corridors, specialised operational processes, validated handling procedures and temperature-controlled infrastructure.

The corridors use specialised thermal blankets and validated operational processes to limit exposure to temperatures outside the required range during handling and transfer.

The expanded network is designed to support the transportation of pharmaceuticals, biologics, vaccines, clinical trial materials and other healthcare products. DHL uses thermal blanket solutions and phase change materials to provide temperature-controlled logistics.

The new Brussels-Singapore and Cincinnati-Singapore corridors will also strengthen Singapore's role as a gateway in DHL's global healthcare logistics network.

The launch follows DHL Global Forwarding's announcement of further healthcare logistics investments in Singapore, including a planned Singapore Cold Chain Hub. The facility will have dedicated storage and handling areas for temperatures of 2–8°C and 15–25°C, alongside direct airside access.

In North America, Cincinnati will continue to serve as a gateway connecting US customers with pharmaceutical markets across Asia. DHL is also expanding its life sciences and healthcare facility in Indianapolis, around 2.5 hours by road from Cincinnati, with additional space for operations and pallet storage at 2–8°C.