DHL: Investing €2bn to Upgrade Global Healthcare Logistics
DHL Group is putting €2bn (US$2.1bn) behind its healthcare logistics ambitions, rolling out a bold expansion plan aimed at transforming how life sciences products are stored, shipped and delivered across the globe.
The investment will run until 2030 and marks a major chapter in the company’s “Strategy 2030” roadmap.
Half of the money is heading to the Americas, while Asia Pacific and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) will each receive 25%.
The goal is to reinforce DHL’s supply chain services for the pharmaceutical, biopharma and medical devices sectors with upgraded cold chain capabilities, more high-tech storage, faster cross-border distribution and smarter digital visibility.
Pharmaceutical products often require tightly controlled environments - whether it's vaccines that need ultralow temperatures or sensitive biologics needing stable cooling during transit.
DHL is pouring a large portion of its investment into building cross-divisional GPD-certified Pharma Hubs and increasing the capacity of temperature-controlled warehouses and delivery vehicles.
The plan also calls for expanding infrastructure to manage the complex requirements of fast-developing segments like cell and gene therapies, which demand ultralow temperatures for safe transport.
Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Supply Chain, puts the rationale simply: “We’re building high-quality, integrated logistics solutions that are as innovative and reliable as the products our customers create – ensuring that patients everywhere receive the right treatment, at the right time, with complete confidence.”
That reliability is also built on better data. DHL will introduce new digital tools to track shipments in real-time, ensuring compliance with regulations while giving customers and healthcare providers full visibility.
Creating a unified global healthcare logistics brand
To reflect its expanding role in this sector, DHL is bringing all of its life sciences and healthcare services together under one name: DHL Health Logistics. This new brand will serve as a one-stop shop for pharma, biopharma and medtech companies navigating increasingly complex supply chains.
By aligning everything from order fulfilment and warehouse operations to international shipping and last-mile delivery, DHL aims to make the logistics journey more connected and predictable for clients dealing with sensitive, often life-saving cargo.
It’s not just about moving goods. DHL wants to streamline how customers interact with its systems, offering integrated services across countries and sectors to reduce friction, lower costs and speed up delivery.
The company’s current network includes nearly 600 sites across close to 130 countries, with more than 2.5 million square metres of temperature-controlled space already in operation. The investment will build on this footprint, allowing for more scalability and resilience as demand rises.
A strategic play with patient care at its core
Behind this expansion is a clear commercial opportunity. DHL’s life sciences and healthcare logistics generated more than €5bn (US$5.4bn) in revenue in 2024, and the group is projecting another €5bn (US$5.4bn) in incremental revenue by 2030. It’s a strong growth sector, fuelled by the increasing global demand for personalised medicine, clinical trials and specialised treatments.
To strengthen its position, DHL has already moved to acquire CRYOPDP, a courier specialising in clinical trials, biopharma and cell and gene therapies. The move adds more depth to its Pharma Specialised Network, especially in highly regulated and time-sensitive shipments.
Alongside the growth outlook, DHL is positioning itself as a company with a broader mission — one that connects logistics with real-world patient outcomes.
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