DHL Global Forwarding has expanded its DHL Health Logistics Cold Chain Network with six dedicated air corridors connecting Europe and North America to major pharmaceutical and healthcare markets across Asia.
The new routes are designed to provide temperature-controlled air cargo capacity, improve routing flexibility and strengthen the reliability of shipments carrying temperature-sensitive healthcare and pharmaceutical products.
The corridors connect Liège and Brussels in Europe, as well as Cincinnati in the United States, with key Asian gateways in Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon.
Six New Routes Strengthen Healthcare Connectivity
The newly established air corridors are:
- Liège–Shanghai
- Brussels–Shanghai
- Brussels–Singapore
- Cincinnati–Singapore
- Cincinnati–Tokyo Narita
- Cincinnati–Seoul Incheon
DHL said the additional connections respond to customer demand for reliable transport between major healthcare markets while helping reduce supply-chain risks and protect product integrity.
Henk Venema, global head of airfreight at DHL Global Forwarding, said the new corridors extend the network into strategically important healthcare markets and give DHL greater control over critical quality requirements during transportation.
Dedicated Aircraft Support Temperature-Sensitive Cargo
The corridors are primarily supported through DHL’s dedicated network, with most flights operated using DHL Express-branded aircraft.
Boeing 777 freighters provide cargo capacity with three separate compartments that can be set to different temperatures, helping accommodate the specific requirements of healthcare shipments.
Keeping cargo within DHL’s network also reduces handovers between logistics providers, allowing the company to maintain greater oversight of shipments throughout their journeys.
These capabilities are particularly important for pharmaceutical products and other healthcare goods that require controlled temperatures and consistent handling to maintain their quality.
Singapore Strengthens Its Healthcare Logistics Role
The new Brussels–Singapore and Cincinnati–Singapore connections further strengthen Singapore’s position as a key gateway in DHL’s global healthcare logistics network.
The expansion builds on DHL Global Forwarding’s plans for a dedicated DHL Singapore Cold Chain Hub, which is intended to improve healthcare connectivity across the Asia-Pacific region.
The planned facility will include temperature-controlled storage and handling areas maintained at 2–8°C and 15–25°C, alongside direct airside access to support pharmaceutical cargo movements.
Expanding Access to Asian Pharmaceutical Markets
The new corridors also strengthen connections from DHL’s established healthcare gateways in North America. Cincinnati will continue to serve as an important link between US customers and pharmaceutical markets across Asia.
The expansion forms part of DHL’s broader investment in life sciences and healthcare logistics, as demand grows for specialised air freight services capable of handling temperature-sensitive products.
By combining dedicated air capacity, temperature-controlled aircraft compartments and specialised healthcare facilities, DHL aims to provide customers with more reliable connections across international pharmaceutical supply chains.
