Nearly twice the size, the newly-renovated facility doubles shipment volume throughput to meet double-digit volume growth, also adding eight new flights.
DHL Express has invested more than US$78 million in the renovation and expansion of its Miami air hub with the aim of strengthening the company’s connections and service capabilities, with added flights to and from Europe, Asia Pacific and South America – including Chile, Mexico and cities in the US.
In a statement, it said that with the holiday season approaches, “the investments come at an opportune time and on the heels of significant volume growth, specifically from international B2C and B2B e-commerce.
“DHL Express expects continued double digit shipment growth (YoY), throughout the Americas region during the upcoming peak holiday season. Looking at the last two years and trends as a result of the pandemic, with the surge in online consumer purchasing, the Americas region countries experienced an average B2C shipment growth of 44% in 2020 (YoY), and 21% in 2021 (year to date September).”
Commenting on the expansion move, Mike Parra, CEO, DHL Express Americas, said: “Our Miami hub has always been a key gateway into South and Central America and the Caribbean, and with the new investments and flights, it’s fantastic to see us even more connected to the rest of the world.
He continued: “This is all part of our continual drive to expand and improve our infrastructure, modernize and grow our air fleets and establish new routes. The overall results are improved flexibility, reliability and service for our customers’ ever-growing international shipping needs.”
The investment, which is part of a larger $360 million plan for the region to increase volume capacity in the DHL Express Americas network by nearly 30% by the end of 2022, includes a state-of-the-art equipment for a fully automated package sort system.
“The new automation increased the facility’s sorting capacity per hour by almost double. With nearly two-fold warehouse space – now 206,000 sq ft. – and twice the load positions for conveyable packages, the space fully accommodates the increased volumes ahead of the peak season.”
DHL Express now operates an average of 193 weekly flights (arrivals and departures) at the Miami hub, through a combination of B737F, B757F, B767F, B777F, and A330F aircraft.
Miami International Airport continues to offer DHL Express the benefits it needs to meet the growing demands of its international shipping customers, including in-house Customs brokers and US Customs and Border Protection personnel working on site to facilitate faster shipment clearance, the statement added.
Source: Lloyd’s
