DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, has relocated its Cebu Gateway in the Philippines to a bigger facility, aiming to provide high-quality service by enhancing its infrastructure.

“Our new Cebu Gateway facility is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing the best service to our customers, especially in the VisMin region. This investment reaffirms our commitment to expanding our reach to support businesses and their operations, thereby contributing to the country’s economic growth,” Nigel Lockett, country manager of DHL Express Philippines, said.

Citing a report from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Lockett said the move is also a response to rising shipment demand from the Visayas and Mindanao regions, with Eastern Visayas posting a 45.5 percent increase in exports in January 2025 compared to the same period last year.

Located at Ibo Road, Mactan Cebu International Airport, Lapu-Lapu City, the 3,875-square-meter facility also aims to improve sorting activities and streamline shipment handling in line with global standards.

Manned by 80 employees, the new facility is twice as big as DHL Express Philippines’ previous gateway at Rapid Air Freight Building, Airport Road, MCIAA Complex, Mactan, which is only 1,563 sqm.

Highly automated, the facility can manage both import and export sorting for gateway and service center operations, boasting an inbound sort capacity of 825 pieces per hour and an outbound capacity of 320 pieces per hour.

Moreover, the new facility features 100 percent direct loading positions and cutting-edge security hardware that integrates shipment imaging with operational checkpoint scanning to ensure a comprehensive screening of all incoming and outgoing shipments.

Lockett added that the facility incorporates energy-efficient LED lighting, an inverter air conditioning system and high-volume low-speed fans, in line with DHL’s commitment to low-carbon emissions operations.

It is also designed with more natural ventilation and skylights to further reduce energy consumption.

“The strategic location of our new Cebu Gateway provides unmatched access to both airside and landside areas, enabling more streamlined and efficient transport of shipments from aircraft to the Gateway,” said Thilaga Vathy Rajoo, vice president for operations of DHL Express Philippines. “This will significantly enhance our sorting processes at the service centers and is expected to result in earlier courier departure times for deliveries and potentially later pickup times.”

With daily inbound and outbound DHL flights serving Cebu, this development also enables DHL to handle higher shipment volumes while maintaining same-day flight schedules and fast transit commitments, giving DHL a competitive edge and creating a lasting positive impact on DHL customer service quality.

“By expanding its facilities in the country, DHL Express is not only supporting the local economy but also strengthening the Philippines’ overall trade infrastructure to capitalize on this anticipated growth. This investment in a crucial hub like Cebu demonstrates DHL’s commitment to empowering the Philippines’ potential as a major player in the global market,” according to Lockett.