-
The DHL Group is expanding its dedicated airfreight cold chain network as part of major steps to strengthen its life sciences and healthcare logistics capabilities
-
The move, a core element of its €2 billion strategic investment in DHL Health Logistics, is designed to reshape how temperature-sensitive medicines, vaccines, pharmaceutical products and cell & gene therapies move across the world
-
DHL introduced a dedicated Boeing 777 freighter operating between Brussels and Cincinnati and features the new “DHL Health Logistics” livery
-
The network will first connect major DHL hubs with additional routes in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America to follow
The DHL Group is expanding its dedicated airfreight cold chain network as part of major steps to strengthen its life sciences and healthcare logistics capabilities.
The move is designed to reshape how temperature-sensitive medicines, vaccines, pharmaceutical products and cell & gene therapies move across the world, the logistics and supply chain company said in a statement.
DHL said the expanded global network, another core element of its €2 billion strategic investment in DHL Health Logistics, gives customers full end-to-end visibility for highly-sensitive healthcare products and supports the evolving logistics requirements of the world’s largest healthcare and pharmaceutical companies.
To support the expanded network, DHL introduced a dedicated Boeing 777 freighter operating between Brussels and Cincinnati, which connects the U.S. Midwest, home to leading pharma companies, directly to one of Europe’s most advanced life sciences ecosystems.
The aircraft, which features the new “DHL Health Logistics” livery, serves as a visible marker of the company’s strategic focus on healthcare logistics.
“Life sciences and healthcare companies expect cold chain solutions that are reliable, compliant, and transparent from end to end — and those expectations are rising fast,” said Oscar de Bok, chief executive officer of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight.
He added, “At the same time, they’re looking for ways to simplify supply chains and reduce costs. Our expanded network brings together DHL Aviation’s global air connectivity, our GDP (good distribution practice)-compliant station network, and our major investments in modern, temperature-controlled facilities. The result is a more resilient, more efficient logistics backbone for customers who depend on flawless quality to deliver critical therapies to patients.”
By reducing reliance on third-party carriers and commercial airlines, DHL said it improves product integrity and temperature control throughout the journey while increasing supply chain resilience amid geopolitical tensions, capacity shortages, and growing regulatory complexity.
The expansion adds capacity for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical and medical shipments and connects key markets through more than 30 GDP-compliant aviation hubs and gateways, it added.
The network will first connect major DHL hubs, including Brussels – Cincinnati, with additional routes in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America to follow.
By avoiding coastal congestion, DHL said the lane provides a seamless, temperature-controlled pathway for high-value biologics and time-critical cell and gene therapies.
At the Brussels end, the route is supported by 45,000 square meters of pharma-only zones at BRUcargo, the logistics area of Brussels Airport, delivering clinical-grade integrity end to end.
Together, DHL said this infrastructure establishes a resilient connection between two of the world’s most important healthcare markets.
Countries prioritized for further expansion of the Airfreight Cold Chain Network include India, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, the United States, Germany, and Ireland. These routes are designed to meet strict regulatory requirements and maintain product quality throughout the supply chain.
DHL said the expanded network supports its mission to strengthen global health logistics and meet rising demand for fast, reliable, temperature-controlled transport of pharmaceutical products and medical supplies. Patient safety remains central to the service.
Combined with significant investments in temperature-controlled infrastructure, the network reduces reliance on heavy, costly packaging and refrigerated air freight containers, offering an economical service focused on quality and minimizing temperature excursions, DHL said.
READ: DHL, Gokongwei Group ink partnership on green logistics solutions
