Confident about the upward trajectory of cargo demand in South Korea, DHL Express has commenced full-fledged operations at the newly expanded Incheon gateway, which is now three times the size of its predecessor.
The enhanced Incheon gateway with 59,248 square metres of floor area can handle 3.5 times as much capacity, complete with a 5.5-kilometer-long conveyor belt and 19 automated X-ray inspection machines to ensure safety and compliance. DHL in 2019, pledged €131 million (KRW 175 billion) to expand the cargo gateway marking its largest investment in South Korea.
“Between 2011 and now, the transit cargo handling volume we handled in the country grew more than threefold. The opening of the expanded Incheon Gateway arrives at a right time as it plays an important role to facilitate regional and intra-Asia trade, particularly for the Northeast Asian region, including Dalian, Qingdao, Wuxi, Ulaanbaatar, and Guam.”
Sean Wall, Executive Vice President of Network Operations and Aviation, Asia Pacific, DHL Express
DHL cited growing international express imports and exports with Asia-Pacific neighbours like Singapore, Japan, China, Australia, and Taiwan as contributor to the increasing cargo demand seen at Incheon. To move import and export shipments efficiently at the Incheon Gateway, DHL Express will utilise a fully automated sorting and handling system that can process over 10,000 parcels an hour. The company connects other hubs via Incheon with seven dedicated DHL aircraft and 40 aircraft from partner airlines.
The Facility, which is partly powered by solar energy with a 1-mW solar power generator installed on the entire rooftop area (5,700 square meters). These generators produce energy that covers roughly 30% of the facility’s consumed energy, reducing around 650 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. This marks the first instance among cargo terminals within Incheon International Airport to use solar energy.
“The Incheon Gateway serves as a strategic facility that connects South Korea and the Asia Pacific region to the world. Since its initial opening in 2009, the volume of imports and exports at Incheon Gateway has increased by more than 90% in 2022. With this expansion, we are confident that we can adeptly manage the surge in shipment volume and cater to the increasing demand for international express delivery over the coming decade.”
ByungKoo Han, Country Manager, DHL Express Korea
