The new routes link Belgium and Cincinnati with Asian healthcare markets as DHL expands cold-chain capacity in the United States and Singapore.
DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight division of DHL Group (XETRA: DHL), announced six new air corridors for temperature-controlled healthcare shipments on Oct. 12, expanding connections between Europe, North America and major pharmaceutical markets across Asia.
The corridors are Liège-Shanghai, Brussels-Shanghai, Brussels-Singapore, Cincinnati-Singapore, Cincinnati-Tokyo Narita and Cincinnati-Seoul Incheon. DHL added them to its Health Logistics Cold Chain Network but did not disclose launch dates or flight frequencies.
DHL operates the routes primarily through its own network, and most flights use its yellow-branded aircraft. The Boeing 777 freighters it deploys have three compartments, each with a separate temperature setting, allowing shipments with different temperature requirements to travel on the same aircraft.
DHL said operating within its network reduces handovers between carriers and gives it greater control over shipment handling and temperature conditions.
Executive outlines goals for the routes
Henk Venema, global head of air freight at DHL Global Forwarding, said customers asked for reliable links between major healthcare markets. He said the routes give DHL greater control over quality parameters during transportation.
DHL said the corridors offer pharmaceutical customers routing flexibility, access to temperature-controlled capacity and more consistent transit performance.
The network handles pharmaceuticals, biologics, vaccines and clinical trial materials. DHL said it uses thermal blankets and phase change materials on the corridors. It also uses validated handling processes designed to limit exposure to temperatures outside the required range.
Brussels-Cincinnati freighter precedes expansion
The new corridors follow the Brussels-Cincinnati route that DHL introduced earlier this year with a dedicated Boeing 777 freighter. The route is supported by 45,000 square meters of pharma-only zones at Brussels Airport's BRUcargo logistics area.
In February, DHL said it plans further routes in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. It listed India, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, the United States, Germany and Ireland among the countries prioritized for expansion of the network.
DHL Expands U.S. Cold-Chain Capacity
Cincinnati serves as a U.S. gateway for shipments moving to pharmaceutical markets in Asia. DHL is also expanding its dedicated life sciences and healthcare facility in Indianapolis, about 2.5 hours by road from the Cincinnati air gateway.
The Indianapolis expansion will add floor space for operations and pallet storage in the 2-8 C temperature range. The company did not disclose the additional storage capacity or the project’s completion date.
The investment is intended to strengthen the handling and storage infrastructure supporting temperature-sensitive healthcare shipments across DHL’s U.S. network.
Singapore Hub Planned for Late 2027
Two of the new corridors connect with Singapore, where DHL plans to build a S$22 million (about 15 million euros) cold-chain hub at Changi Airport. DHL Global Forwarding and Changi Airport Group announced the project on Sept. 4.
The 3,047-square-meter DHL Singapore Coldchain Hub will be located at Changi Nexus One in the airport’s free trade zone. It will include handling areas for cargo requiring temperatures of 2-8 C and 15-25 C, with direct airside access.
DHL said the facility is scheduled to open in late 2027. It is expected to support the handling of pharmaceutical and other healthcare shipments moving through Singapore, a major regional air cargo hub.
DHL commits to health logistics
The route expansion and Singapore hub form part of DHL Group’s broader investment in life sciences and healthcare logistics. The company announced a €2 billion, five-year investment in life sciences and healthcare logistics in April 2025. The program includes €500 million for Asia Pacific. DHL has stated that the cold chain network and the Singapore hub form part of it.
The program covers healthcare logistics capabilities across the company’s network, including temperature-controlled transport and specialized facilities. The six new corridors add air connections, while the planned Singapore hub and Indianapolis expansion address storage and handling requirements at key points in the supply chain.
DHL has not disclosed the expected revenue contribution or cargo volumes associated with the new routes.
