DHL has announced the opening of its new DHL Express Melbourne Gateway facility, representing a total investment of A$20 million (€14 million), the largest infrastructural investment undertaken by the express unit in Australia to date.
It identifies 'five key outbound trade lanes' that will benefit from the new facility – New Zealand, 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, China, Hong Kong and New Zealand topping the list.
China remains as Australia’s top trading partner, with total trade in goods and services between both countries amounting to over A$159 billion.
DHL Express Asia Pacific CEO, Jerry Hsu, commented: “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.”
Strategically-located at Melbourne Airport, the facility employs almost 100 people and DHL is the only express logistics company with airside access, providing direct links to airlines and cargo terminal operators. The 14,800 sqm DHL Melbourne Gateway, which comprises of a warehouse (5,300 sqm), office (915 sqm) and open areas (8,600 sqm), features state-of-the-art capabilities to enable shipment processing of more than 53,000 kg each day, DHL said.
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.
