DHL Global Forwarding unveils new 85,000 square feet centralised warehouse facility in Sri Lanka

Monday, 23 December 2024 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

DHL Global Forwarding has taken a significant step forward in enhancing Sri Lanka’s logistics landscape with the launch of a new 85,000-square-foot centralised warehouse facility. The facility consolidates multiple satellite warehouses under one roof and is set to house DHL Global Forwarding’s life sciences and healthcare (LSH) facility, currently located in Peliyagoda, in early 2025.

Strategically located at Ekala, Ja-Ela, halfway between the airport and port city, the DHL centralised warehouse facility is ideally positioned to ensure efficient supply chains. It is designed to support a diverse range of industries, including:

Life sciences and healthcare: Fully Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certified and temperature-controlled storage for sensitive goods.
Technology: Dedicated areas including highest security standards.
Project cargo, electronics, fast-moving consumer goods, apparel, vehicles and more: ISO-certified solutions for unmatched quality assurance.

“With its proximity to emerging markets, Sri Lanka has established itself as a key logistics hub within the South Asian region attracting leading shipping lines and exporters. The logistics sector contributes 2.5% to Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Product (approximately € 1.9 billion) and continues to play a vital role in supporting the nation’s economic growth and global trade connectivity,” explained DHL Global Forwarding, Sri Lanka and Maldives Managing Director Sudeep Raina.

According to the Sri Lanka Economic Development Board, Sri Lanka is the main trans-shipment hub for the Indian subcontinent. The Port of Colombo has reported a steady growth of 4.5% in container traffic over the last 10 years, with transhipment accounting for more than 75% of the total container quantity.

“Recent disruptive global events have highlighted the need for resilient and innovative logistics solutions. The Indian Ocean is one of the busiest East-West trade corridors, and a third of the global bulk shipping trade goes through this channel. Sri Lanka is positioned between two logistics hubs in Singapore and Dubai making the development of logistics hub here an obvious choice. This new facility reflects our ongoing commitment to support Sri Lanka’s ambitions as a logistics powerhouse while ensuring our customers benefit from DHL’s reliable and advanced solutions to drive their success,” Raina added.

The facility plans to use green electricity generated by solar panels installed on site, reflecting DHL’s commitment to reduce its operation’s greenhouse gas footprint.