DHL Global Forwarding has opened a new 24,500m² air freight terminal at Frankfurt Airport, featuring 54 cross-docks capable of processing of up to 300,000 tons of air freight for both German and international customers.
The facility, which took just over a year to construct, was developed by Fraport AG on a site of approximately 55,000m² in CargoCity Süd. DHL Global Forwarding’s existing facilities at Frankfurt Airport are being consolidated at the new location, resulting in more efficient handling of air freight, fewer truck movements and shorter distances for employees handling or transferring cargo at the site.
“Frankfurt, with its central location in Europe, has become increasingly important to us as an air freight hub over the years,” said Tobias Schmidt, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Europe. “With the new site, we are turning our vision into reality: the highest quality standards, cutting-edge technology and stronger consolidation. This establishes the ideal framework for us to manage our growing transport volumes even more efficiently, quickly and sustainably.”
The new site also includes 3,000m² of office and social spaces and is the European headquarters of the in-house air freight operator StarBroker, which is responsible for booking and coordinating air freight capacities for DHL Global Forwarding and managing controlled flight operations.
The new hub facilitates services such as consolidation and deconsolidation of air freight, customs clearance, handling for onward transport by truck and the organization of charter capacities. Modern unit load devices (ULD) handling technology is employed to enhance efficiency and quality for customers, according to DHL.
Sustainability was also considered in the construction of the new air freight hub, with a solar roof with a peak output of 2MW and 20 charging stations for electric vehicles.
“The inauguration of the state-of-the-art air freight facility by DHL Global Forwarding marks an important milestone in the continued development of Frankfurt as a leading air freight hub,” commented Anke Giesen, executive board member for retail and real estate at Fraport AG, which leases the hub to DHL Global Forwarding.
“With the Master Plan Cargohub, Fraport aims to increase cargo volumes by over 50%, reaching approximately three million tons of air freight per year by 2040. The new site, with an annual turnover of 300,000 tons of freight, is a key component.”