DHL has opened its new DHL Express Melbourne Gateway facility to better support regional businesses operating in and out of Australia. The new facility, in line with DHL Express’ global investments to bolster the company’s network connectivity, boasts a total investment of A$20 million (€14 million), the largest infrastructural amount invested by DHL Express in Australia.
Strategically located at Melbourne Airport, the DHL facility is the only express logistics company with airside access, providing direct links to airlines and cargo terminal operators. The 14,800sqm DHL Melbourne Gateway, which comprises of a warehouse (5,300sqm), office (915sqm) and open areas (8,600sqm), features state-of-the-art capabilities to enable shipment processing of more than 53,000 kilograms each day.
The TAPA ‘A’ rated facility also boasts several industry-leading features, including: Two X-ray machines for scanning shipments, three telescopic conveyors which double shipment uploading and offloading frequency, as well as an onsite LED panel to monitor flight information. Dedicated Customs and Quarantine offices are housed within the facility and 100 closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) have also been installed to provide 24-hour monitoring services and further enhance shipment security.
Speaking at the facility’s launch, DHL Express Asia Pacific CEO, Jerry Hsu said: “I’m pleased to officially open our new Melbourne Gateway facility, which enables local businesses to trade with customers around the world. The newly minted China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) and other established Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) have enabled Australian exports with greater access to international markets.
“China is Australia’s largest export market for both goods and services, accounting for nearly a third of Australia’s total exports and a growing source of foreign investment. Going by previous FTAs with countries such as Korea and Japan, demand for Australian exports is only set to increase especially in the dairy, horticulture, mining and services sectors.”
Gary Edstein, senior VP of DHL Express Oceania added: “We’re seeing strong growth in exports from Melbourne, hence the need to more than double our previous facility. Almost 30 per cent of our Australian volume currently passes through the Melbourne Gateway, highlighting the trade requirements the Victorian state demands.”
The five key outbound trade lanes that will benefit from the Melbourne Gateway facility include New Zealand, mainland China, USA, Singapore and Hong Kong. Key export commodities from Australia include coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment, according to the 2014 DHL Global Connectedness Index.
Imports come from over 220 countries and territories that DHL operates in, with USA, UK, mainland China, Hong Kong and New Zealand topping the list. Mainland China remains as Australia’s top trading partner, with total trade in goods and services between both countries amounting to over A$159 billion.
