DHL Supply Chain has launched a new pharma hub in Singapore, a dedicated facility for pharmaceutical logistics that would further strengthen its life sciences and healthcare infrastructure.

The contract logistics arm of DHL said the €10 million facility is part of DHL Group's €500 million investment into Asia Pacific to bolster its Life Sciences and Healthcare (LSHC) infrastructure across all business units.

This strategic initiative also reflects DHL Group's global focus on the healthcare sector as part of its Strategy 2030, which introduced the new "DHL Health Logistics" sector brand to drive cross-divisional growth.

 From left: Javier Bilbao, CEO of DHL Supply Chain APAC; Tobias Meyer, CEO of DHL Group; Eunis Hew, Managing Director of DHL Supply Cain Singapore; and Edwin Wong, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Southeast Asia. [Source: DHL]

DHL Supply Chain said in the announcement that the LSHC sector currently contributes EUR5 billion to DHL's global revenue, underscoring its significance in the Group’s growth strategy.

"At DHL Supply Chain, we are committed to supporting the rapidly growing LSHC sector in Asia Pacific where there is a growing demand for transformative healthcare solutions due to longer lifespans, personalized treatments and rising consumer expectations," it added, noting that by 2030, the region's medical market is projected to reach USD$138 billion (~€127 billion), reflecting the critical need for resilient and efficient supply chains.

"As part of DHL Group's Strategy 2030, we have invested ahead to strengthen our infrastructure and capabilities, ensuring we can meet the evolving and increasingly complex needs of our customers."

DHL Supply Chain said its investments also go beyond building warehouses or expanding networks.

"It is about building a foundation across all our business units that enables faster, more reliable delivery of life-saving medicines and healthcare products. In a region where healthcare demand is surging, we enable our customers to focus on innovation and patient care. At the same time, we handle the complexities of supply chain management across all logistics touchpoints – from storage, order fulfillment, and distribution to global shipping and last-mile delivery," said Javier Bilbao, CEO, DHL Supply Chain Asia Pacific.

The new 8,200 square meters Pharma Hub at 8 Jurong Pier in Singapore features specialized temperature-controlled zones, including ambient (15°C to 25°C) and cold room (2°C to 8°C), ensuring precise storage conditions for sensitive healthcare products.

DHL said the facility is Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliant with advanced cold chain infrastructure, including airtight loading docks and dedicated anterooms, ensuring uninterrupted temperature stability throughout the logistics process. Future plans are in place to enable pharma-related value-added services, including redressing activities.

It is also strategically located near Tuas Bio-Medical Park, and the Pharma Hub offers seamless connectivity to Changi Airport and Tuas Mega Port, enabling efficient regional and global distribution for pharmaceutical partners.

Singapore aims to become a global leader in life sciences and medtech innovation, supported by a Budget 2025 top-up of SGD 3 billion (€2 billion) to drive investments in sectors like semiconductors and life sciences, alongside initiatives such as the National Research, Innovation and Enterprise program.

"With the new Pharma Hub in Jurong, we have over 36,000 square meters of warehouse space in Singapore dedicated to LSHC operations. Our current operations include being the regional distribution centers for multiple medical device multi-nationals, clinical trials support, and other value-added services," said Eunis Hew, managing director, DHL Supply Chain Singapore.

DHL pointed out that a successful LSHC supply chain requires several critical factors – robust warehouse infrastructure,  skilled personnel, and innovative solutions.

Supporting growth with infrastructure

DHL said that even before the recent announcement of the Group's €2 billion investment into the sector, DHL Supply Chain had already made strategic early investments in the region.

These key projects, supporting the growing LSHC industry and helping customers navigate evolving demands, include €28 million in upgrades to automation, robotics, and expanded floor space at LSHC sites in New South Wales, Australia; a €26 million automated LSHC site in Auckland, New Zealand, featuring advanced technologies like automated pallet storage, tote robotic storage, and Goods-to-Person (GTP) systems.

DHL also cited upcoming LSHC sites in South Korea to support critical deliveries to hospitals for medical devices and clinical logistics and an upcoming LSHC site in Bhiwandi, India, further expanding DHL's footprint in the region.

Meanwhile, DHL said in the announcement that innovation is at the "heart" of DHL Supply Chain's LSHC operations, helping drive efficiency and enabling proactive decision-making by integrating automation, robotics, and AI-powered tracking systems into its operations. 

"Modern healthcare depends on more than just a physician's expertise. It requires scale, connectivity, and constant collaboration between manufacturers, researchers, and medical experts worldwide. Healthcare can only work if its logistics do, too," Bilbao said.

DHL Supply Chain will operate over 80 facilities with over 700,000 square meters of fully compliant warehousing space in 13 countries across Asia Pacific.