DHL Express today announces the opening of the newly expanded Central Asia Hub in Hong Kong. The total investment into the Central Asia Hub is EUR 562 million, emphasizing DHL’s commitment to the development of Hong Kong as an international aviation hub. Officiating guests include: KK Chan, Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative (third from left); Lam Sai-hung, Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative (second from left); Fred Lam, CEO of Airport Authority Hong Kong (first from left); Tobias Meyer, CEO of DHL Group (third from right); John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express (second from right); and Ken Lee, CEO of DHL Express Asia Pacific (first from right).
Integration of technology to enhance productivity and accuracy
With direct access to airside and landside, CAH is currently the only dedicated and purpose-built air express cargo facility in the Hong Kong International Airport. With a 50 percent increase in total warehouse space to 49,500 sqm and an automated material handling system, the Hub’s peak handling capacity has increased by almost 70 percent to 125,000 shipments per hour. In addition, the annual total tonnage management is expected to increase by 50 percent to 1.06 million tons per annum when operating at full capacity. This is six times the shipment volume of when the Hub was first established in 2004.
With a commitment to operational efficiency and accuracy, the Hub is also the first facility in Hong Kong’s express cargo industry to deploy computerized tomography (CT) X-ray scan technology. These X-ray scanners double the inspection speed, enabling the Hub to detect suspicious goods promptly and accurately.
Sustainability at the core
Building climate-neutral buildings is a goal for DHL as part of its Strategy 2025 sustainability roadmap. Committed to operational excellence and sustainability, DHL leverages advanced technologies and best practices to ensure efficient and eco-friendly movement of goods. CAH has installed 3,450 solar panels on the roof, with total Photovoltaic (PV) generation estimated at 1.68 GWh, equivalent to reducing 850 tons of carbon emissions per annum.
CAH is the first facility in DHL’s Asia Pacific region to deploy battery storage, and Hong Kong International Airport’s first business partner to implement battery storage on-site. This system stores excess solar power and releases it as needed, maximizing renewable energy utilization, saving 125,000 kWh of electricity annually and reducing 49 tons of carbon emissions. Other environmentally friendly features such as electric forklifts, LED lights and high-efficiency air-cooled chillers have been used, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
