DHL Express is stepping up its game in the Philippines with the expansion of its Cebu Gateway, a major investment designed to keep pace with the country’s fast-rising trade activity. The move comes as demand for shipment services surges across the Visayas and Mindanao, with Eastern Visayas alone reporting a 45.5% jump in exports in January 2025, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Relocated to a larger 3,875-sqm facility at Mactan Cebu International Airport, the new Cebu Gateway underscores DHL’s strategy to strengthen infrastructure and deliver faster, more reliable services to businesses outside Metro Manila.
“Our new Cebu Gateway is a testament to our unwavering commitment to supporting growth in the VisMin region,” said Nigel Lockett, Country Manager of DHL Express Philippines. “By expanding our reach and capabilities, we’re helping local businesses scale and compete globally—contributing to the Philippines’ overall economic progress.”
The facility is built for speed and efficiency. Highly automated systems allow for an inbound sorting capacity of 825 pieces per hour and outbound handling of 320 pieces per hour. Direct loading positions, advanced shipment imaging, and checkpoint scanning technology ensure both streamlined operations and world-class security.
In line with DHL’s sustainability commitments, the hub integrates energy-saving innovations such as LED lighting, inverter air-conditioning, skylights for natural ventilation, and high-volume low-speed fans to reduce carbon emissions.
“The strategic location of the new gateway gives us faster access to both airside and landside areas, which translates to earlier courier departures and potentially later pickup times for our customers,” explained Thilaga Vathy Rajoo, VP for Operations at DHL Express Philippines.
With daily DHL flights in and out of Cebu, the facility boosts capacity for growing volumes while maintaining same-day flight schedules and fast transit times—key factors that give DHL an edge in the express logistics market.
This expansion also positions the Philippines to ride on the global trade wave. The DHL Trade Atlas 2025 forecasts the country to rank among the top 30 for speed and scale of trade growth from 2024 to 2029. By investing in Cebu, DHL is not only strengthening the backbone of local trade but also empowering the Philippines to claim a bigger role in the global supply chain.