DHL Express Finland will build a logistics center serving international air express transportation at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. DHL Express’ total investment in the premises and technology in the Aviapolis area is around €100m (US$109m) for the entire lease period.
The new gateway, designed by DHL Express, will be built by Avia Real Estate Oy, with Meijou Oy as the main contractor. All incoming and outgoing Express shipments in Finland will be handled in the logistics center, which is scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2025. Once operational, the airside access will enable DHL aircraft parked on the apron to be reached directly from the building.
To support its sustainability goals, the company’s Helsinki Express gateway will be carbon neutral. Geothermal heat will be used as the main heating solution and electricity will be produced with photovoltaic systems. The building will also feature an advanced building management system, energy-efficient building materials, processing equipment and LED lighting.
Approximately 150 people will be employed at the new gateway and the number is expected to grow by several dozen. The head office of DHL Express Finland will be located in separate premises. According to DHL Express, employees will get a spacious and functional working environment, in which safety and environmental aspects have been taken into account.
The Helsinki gateway is part of an extensive DHL Express network infrastructure improvement program. A corresponding gateway facility is currently being built in Munich, and a new Nordic Express hub was opened in Copenhagen a couple of months ago. In Finland, a 5,000m2 Express terminal was completed in Pirkkala in 2019.
Oktay Nuri, managing director of DHL Express Finland, said, “The flexibility, reliability, speed and global coverage of our services are critical to our customers’ supply chain planning. Over the years, we have systematically invested in and strengthened our operations in Finland. With this project, we will significantly increase our processing capacity, ensuring the potential for future growth. The new state-of-the-art gateway facility will enhance our ability to continue to create reliable and fast transport services that support the competitiveness of Finnish export and import companies.”
Janne Appel, operations director at DHL Express Finland, explained, “The new facility will be about 16,000m2 in size, more than double the size of our current gateway in Vantaa. The automated sorting system can handle approximately 6,500 items per hour. Around 90 direct loading bays enable efficient sorting of shipments directly from the conveyor to the delivery vans. All bays will be equipped with charging stations for e-vehicles, supporting our goal to electrify our entire pickup and delivery fleet within a few years.”
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