DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight division of DHL Group, has acquired Aero Cargas, a freight forwarding company in Uruguay, giving DHL its first direct operation in the country.
Aero Cargas has more than 58 years of experience in South American logistics and a 33-year partnership with DHL Group, with expertise in air and ocean freight, industrial project logistics, land transportation, multimodal services, Free Trade Zone operations and pharmaceutical and regional inventory management. All of the company’s employees will transition to DHL Global Forwarding, which will place Aero Cargas within its Peru-Ecuador-Argentina-Chile (PAC) cluster, led by Eduardo Rodrigues.
DHL said Uruguay’s location at the intersection of Atlantic shipping routes and the Southern Cone’s inland waterways, along with its Free Port framework and deep-water infrastructure, positions the country as a gateway connecting Mercosur, North America and other international markets. The company linked the move to its Strategy 2030 plan to invest in high-growth markets and evolving trade corridors.
Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, said, “Latin America is becoming increasingly important as companies diversify supply chains and strengthen regional distribution networks. With Aero Cargas, we are establishing DHL Global Forwarding’s first direct presence in Uruguay and are adding a strategic logistics platform that enhances connectivity across the Americas.”
He added that the acquisition strengthens DHL’s capabilities in life sciences and healthcare, Free Trade Zone logistics and industrial project forwarding.
Erik Meade, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Latin America, said the move supports the company’s healthcare logistics strategy: “In 2025, DHL Group announced an investment plan of €2bn (US$2.3bn), with about 10% expected to be invested in Latin America. Establishing a direct presence in Montevideo allows us to place part of that investment where our healthcare customers need these services most,” he said, adding that more than US$1bn worth of pharmaceuticals moves through Uruguay annually as pharmaceutical companies use the country as a regional distribution hub for Latin America.
Natalia Sadurskas, general manager of Aero Cargas, said, “Over the past three decades, our partnership with DHL has allowed us to build strong customer relationships and develop specialized logistics capabilities. Joining DHL Global Forwarding marks an exciting new chapter for our employees and customers.”
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